Three-Point Perspective: Understanding the Basics + Drawing Tips

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How to use three-point perspective to create depth in your art
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If you’re interested in exploring the realm of art, drawing, or even architecture, you might hear the term “three-point perspective” mentioned—but what is it? Well, three-point perspective is a form of linear perspective; it’s a tool for giving two-dimensional drawings the illusion of space and depth. It’s also an invaluable tool for any artist to have in their toolkit, which is why we’ve put together a detailed introduction to drawing with three-point perspective . We’ll also give you a little insight into the history of linear perspective and the differences between one, two, and three-point perspective. Let’s get started!

A Quick Overview of Three-Point Perspective

Three-point perspective is a type of linear perspective that adds space and depth to two-dimensional drawings. It’s more realistic than one or two-point perspective, being a closer match to the way people naturally see things, and can be used to draw complex buildings and architectural interiors.

Section 1 of 4:

What is three-point perspective?

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  1. Three-point perspective is a type of linear perspective used in drawing. Linear perspective as a whole is simply a technique for portraying the illusion of space when you’re drawing on a two-dimensional surface (like paper). It involves using lines and specific points—called vanishing points—to establish that space and depth. Three-point perspective is one of the least-used forms of linear perspective, although it more closely matches how we naturally see things. [1]
    • In artwork, three-point perspective is usually employed when drawing from a more extreme point of view (as though you’re looking down on something from up high, or staring up at a tall structure).
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Draw Using Three-Point Perspective

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  1. 1
    Draw your horizon line. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to draw a simple box using three-point perspective—but once you know how to set up your horizon line and vanishing points, you can draw anything you want! To start, draw a flat horizontal line across your paper, somewhere on the upper portion of the space. This is your horizon line : the visual boundary representing eye-level, or where land and sky meet. [2]
    • For this tutorial, we’re starting near the top of the paper in order to place the box below the horizon line.
    • If you want to draw an object above the horizon line, you’ll need to draw your horizon near the bottom portion of the paper instead.
  2. 2
    Place vanishing points at either end of the horizon line. Vanishing points represent the points on the horizon where parallel lines converge. This is what created the illusion of depth on your paper! When you draw your two vanishing points, make sure they’re spaced out and drawn directly on the horizon line; if they’re too close, your drawing will end up looking distorted. [3]
    • Horizon lines can even be placed off the paper, if you need them that far apart for your drawing! But, to keep things simple, just place them near the ends of your horizon line for now.
    • You’re still only drawing two points. We’ll get to the third in a bit (this is three-point perspective, after all).
  3. 3
    Draw intersecting lines from each of your vanishing points. You can draw them at any angle you like, as long as they’re diagonal lines that start at the vanishing points and go downward at a slope. Draw two lines coming from one of the vanishing points, then another two lines from the other. This will create a boxy, four-cornered shape in the center where the lines converge, and look like two intersecting roads. [4]
    • It’s a good idea to use a ruler or straight edge for this to make sure your lines are straight, and intersecting properly.
  4. 4
    Create a third vanishing point below your drawn lines. This is the final vanishing point you’ll need to create three-point perspective. Since we’re just making a box, place the vanishing point at the center point between the drawn lines—but still well below them. It’ll look like the third vanishing point is by itself, away from the rest of the drawing, but that’s how it should be! [5]
    • The closer your third vanishing point gets to the horizon line and the intersecting lines you’ve already drawn, the more extreme and distorted the perspective will get.
  5. 5
    Draw lines coming up from the third vanishing point. Using your straight edge, draw one line starting at the third vanishing point and going upward far enough to intersect with the left-most point where the lines you previously drew also intersect. Then, draw a second line from the third vanishing point, this one intersecting with the right-most point where your previous lines intersect. [6]
    • Keep drawing each line past the main intersection point, so they’re crossing both sets of lines you already drew.
  6. 6
    Make the top of your box by drawing two more lines. These final lines should originate from the vanishing points on your horizon line. Draw one line from the left vanishing point that extends beyond the tips of the lines coming from your bottom vanishing point. Then, draw another line from the right vanishing point that does the same thing. This will form the top right, top left, and top center corners of the box. [7]
  7. 7
    Darken the lines of your box and add shading, if you want. Your box is drawn—now you just have to finalize it! Darken the parts of your lines that actually make up the outline of the box, and erase the rest. Then, shade in each visible side of the box (there are three: the top, right, and left) to further add to the illusion of space.
    • Try shading different values on each side, so it looks like there’s a light source! That means having a light side, a dark side, and a medium-value side.
    • You don’t have to erase your horizon line or vanishing points, yet. If nothing else, leaving most of your lines and points can be a good visual aid to remind you how three-point perspective works, the next time you try it!
  8. 8
    Use the same horizon line with a third point above (rather than below). As we mentioned above, you don’t always have to place that third vanishing point below your horizon line; it just depends on the vantage point you want to portray through your drawing! A third vanishing point below the horizon line will make it seem like you’re looking up at something, whereas a vanishing point above will make it seem like you’re looking down.
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Section 3 of 4:

The Difference Between 1, 2, and 3-Point Perspective

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  1. 1
    One-point perspective utilizes a single vanishing point. It’s also called “parallel perspective,” and typically best for drawing surfaces that are facing the viewer—or objects that are fading into the distance. Comparatively, three-point perspective uses three vanishing points, making it better for capturing complex scenes or larger, more dramatic works of art with multiple viewpoints. [8]
    • When you set up a drawing for one-point perspective, all you need is a horizon line with one vanishing point placed along the line (in a spot of your choosing).
    • It’s much less complex than three-point perspective, but consequently, it can’t offer the same flexibility.
  2. 2
    Two-point perspective uses two vanishing points. To draw in two-point perspective , you need to place two vanishing points on either side of a horizon line; you can use this setup to depict objects along two sets of converging lines. It’s ideal for objects, buildings, and scenes being viewed from an angle (like street corners, for example).
    • Again, the main difference between two and three-point perspectives is the extra vanishing point.
    • Two and three-point perspective can both be used to illustrate buildings and interiors; three-point perspective simply allows for more complexity.
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Section 4 of 4:

The History of Linear Perspective

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  1. 1
    Linear perspective may go back as far as ancient Greece. Although perspective wasn’t truly “discovered” until the Renaissance period, it’s believed that ancient Greeks and Romans started laying the groundwork for it, using their understanding of perspective to construct scenery for the theater. Their technique was called skenographia , with involved using flat panels onstage to give the illusion of depth. [9]
  2. 2
    Italian architect Filippo Brunelleschi reinvented the concept of perspective. During the Renaissance period, it’s believed that Brunelleschi created numerous drawings of Florentine buildings in perspective between 1415 and 1420 and may even have created paintings in perspective, though these have not been found. Nonetheless, Brunelleschi’s development of perspective led to its use by other artists around Florence (and Italy). [10]
    • For instance, artists such as Donatello, Filippo Lippi, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Masolino da Panicale went on to use perspective to show depth in their artworks.
    • From there, perspective became the key to represent space, depth, and realism in artwork—and it’s still an essential tool for today’s artists and architects!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://artprof.org/learn/fundamentals/perpective/three-point-linear-perspective/
      2. ↑ https://www.mutualart.com/Article/Inventing-Vanishing--A-History-of-Linear/D87CCFE6A7B4FD8A
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/_BfAbKI0reo?t=31
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/_BfAbKI0reo?t=37
      5. ↑ https://finearttutorials.com/guide/three-point-perspective/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/_BfAbKI0reo?t=60
      7. ↑ https://finearttutorials.com/guide/three-point-perspective/
      8. ↑ https://helloartsy.com/one-point-perspective/
      9. ↑ https://www.mutualart.com/Article/Inventing-Vanishing--A-History-of-Linear/D87CCFE6A7B4FD8A
      1. ↑ https://www.mutualart.com/Article/Inventing-Vanishing--A-History-of-Linear/D87CCFE6A7B4FD8A

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