TWO POINT PERSPECTIVE DAY 7 (26 OCTOBER)

 

Two Point Perspective

by Ameen Sahban

While the exact origins of two-point perspective are not definitively known, it's generally attributed to the Renaissance period. Several artists and scholars contributed to its development, including:   

Leon Battista Alberti: He documented Brunelleschi's discovery of linear perspective and formalized the principles of one-point perspective in his treatise "De Pictura" (On Painting) in 1435.

Jean Pelerin (Viator): In his 1505 treatise "De Artificiali Perspectiva," he introduced the concept of two-point perspective, allowing for the depiction of objects from more dynamic angles.

It's important to note that the development of perspective was a gradual process, and many artists and architects contributed to its refinement over time.

INTRODUCTION

Two-point perspective is a drawing technique that creates a sense of depth and three-dimensionality on a two-dimensional surface. Unlike one-point perspective, which has a single vanishing point on the horizon line, two-point perspective utilizes two vanishing points. This allows for the representation of objects from a corner view, providing a more dynamic and realistic perspective.

To create a two-point perspective drawing, you'll need to establish the horizon line, which represents your eye level. On this line, you'll place two vanishing points, one on each side. These points will be the convergence points for receding parallel lines.

Start by drawing a vertical line to represent the corner of an object, such as a building or room. From the top and bottom of this line, draw lines towards each vanishing point. These lines will create the sides of the object. Next, draw horizontal lines connecting the corresponding points on the vertical lines. These horizontal lines will gradually converge towards the vanishing points, creating the illusion of depth.

To add more details, you can draw vertical lines to represent the edges of walls or other objects. These lines should be parallel to the picture plane and perpendicular to the horizon line. You can also add horizontal lines to represent floors, ceilings, or other horizontal surfaces.

Remember, the further an object is from the viewer, the smaller it will appear in the drawing. This principle of perspective is essential for creating realistic and believable images.

By mastering two-point perspective, you can create stunning architectural drawings, interior designs, and other artistic representations that capture the essence of three-dimensional space.

How Two Point Perspective Works in a Nutshell

Two point perspective starts by defining the horizon line.  This line theoretically represents the line that divides the sky from the ground.  However, with many perspective drawings, this line is implied and instead represents the eye-line or "line of sight" of the viewer

Once the horizon line has been established, the vanishing points are placed.  The vanishing point is defined as a point placed on the horizon line where objects begin to disappear because of distance.  A good way to think of the vanishing point is by imagining yourself standing on a beach. Looking both directions, you can see endlessly down the beach. At some point, people on the beach walking away from you will become progressively smaller until they completely disappear at the horizon line. 

With two point perspective, two vanishing points are placed on the horizon line.  These two points should be spaced out from each other to prevent distortion.  Both vanishing points need not both be within the picture plane, just as long as they are found on the horizon line, which continues on off of the picture plane in both directions.

The next step is to draw the corner of the object.  Most commonly, two point perspective is used for drawing buildings or interiors, so this line could be the corner of a building. This line is drawn in between the two vanishing points and can cross over the horizon line.. 

Receding lines are next drawn from each end of the corner to each one of the vanishing points.  These lines are called orthogonal lines. Any set of parallel lines that recede away from the viewer will follow along these lines to one of the vanishing points.

Parallel, vertical lines are drawn to indicate where the building or form ends. The closer that these lines are placed in space to the vanishing points on either side, the longer the form appears.

When a form is placed so that it overlaps the horizon, no additional lines are needed to define the overall form of the object. However, it is important to note that additional lines do exist. These lines are visible when the subject is placed above the horizon line or below it.

Orthogonals extend out from each end of the form and line up with the opposite vanishing point. The location of intersection that occurs defines the the back corner of the cube, which is drawn using a vertical line.

Below the Horizon Line

For forms placed below the horizon line the steps remain the same. However, the top of the form will be visible. This means that the top portion of the form will be defined by the orthogonal lines that extend from each end to the opposite vanishing point.