3 Point Perspective Drawing

Learning to draw in three-point perspective is easy to learn and fun to do! Drawing in 3 point perspective will enable you to render buildings and forms as if you are seeing them either from an ants-eye view or a birds-eye view. With a few simple tricks, you can be drawing like a pro!

When learning three point perspective, it will be helpful to first review one and two-point perspective, but not absolutely necessary.  Before you begin there are three key points that you should remember:

Three Key Points to know:
1. The horizon line represents not only where the sky touches the land, but also where the viewer's eye level is.  Objects above the horizon line are considered to be above the viewer's eye level.  Objects below the horizon line are considered below the viewer's eye level. Remember, you can only ever have one horizon line per drawing. 

2. The points on the horizon show where the orthogonal (or directional) lines go.  How many points you use is determined by the perspective you are trying to achieve.  Above is an example of boxes rendered in two-point perspective. 
3.  One-point perspective uses only one point on the horizon line and is as if you are looking at a block shape straight on. Two-point perspective uses two points on the horizon line and is as if you are looking at a block shape from an angle. Three-point perspective uses three points on the horizon line and is as if you are looking at a block shape at an angle, but simultaneously looking way up or way down.

Follow this simple slide show to start your three point perspective drawing.  All you will need is a pencil, eraser, paper, and ruler. Good luck!

How to Draw in 3 Point Perspective Like a Pro!

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Just a little history
Today, it is essential for architects and artists to learn linear perspective as part of their training. It is suspected that the ancient Greeks and Romans must have had an understanding of perspective in order to erect their buildings and temples.  However, that knowledge was lost to civilization until a young man during the Italian Renaissance re-discovered, or reinvented, the perspective system that artists and architects use today.  That young man was Filippo Brunelleschi (1377 –1446). Brunelleschi developed systems of linear perspective and was the architect who created the amazing brick dome on top of the Florence Cathedral.

Brunelleschi Technique from a Lost Painting of the Battistero di San Giovanni. Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz, Max-Planck-Institut. © 2006, SCALA, Florence ART RESOURCE, N.Y.

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Perspective is one of the first things that I teach my middle school and high school art students. Learning the basic rules and understanding how orthogonal lines work can turn a student, who is convinced that they can't draw, into a student who suddenly believes in their own drawing abilities! I strongly encourage art teachers, no matter what grade you are teaching, to do some lessons on one, two, and three-point perspective.  Your kids will love it!

If you enjoyed this article please let me know.  You are welcome to download and use any aspects of this article for art education.  You may also be interested in my article on five-point perspective HERE.