In this guide, I will explain (& demonstrate) the basics for drawing in perspective. Perspective is the way to draw three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface by giving the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other.
Linear perspective is one of drawing's fundamentals, and it is crucial for drawing from imagination. Atmospheric perspective refers to the effect of the atmosphere on far away objects, and therefore it is used in landscape drawing (& painting).
Linear Perspective
Each drawing that uses linear perspective has a horizon line that may be visible or invisible in the final drawing. In each linear perspective drawing, there is at least one vanishing point (VP). A vanishing point is a dot on the horizon line (in most cases, more on that later). Lines, which are parallel in reality, meet at a vanishing point when drawn in perspective. To the human eye, although they are parallel, they seem to meet at a great distance.
The most common types of perspective are with one vanishing point, two vanishing points, and three vanishing points.
Where to Draw the Horizon Line?
When drawing or painting, the horizon-line's placement has a significant effect on the outcome.
You can use your "artistic license" to build different compositions with different horizon line placement.
More on that you can find in my guide on composition drawing for beginners.
In general:
When the horizon line is at the center of a painting, it translates as eye level when looking forward.
A low horizon line looks as if the viewer is looking above the horizon line, looking up.
High horizon line translates as looking at an angle below the horizon line, looking down.
Examples of horizon line placements in my paintings:
In other words, you can see the bottom of objects that are above the horizon line, and vice versa, the top part of objects that are below the horizon line.
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