Perspective - Hallways, tables and tall buildings...

Smagula describes the study of perspective as a systematic method of determining the placement of forms in space. Basically the use of it helps convey three dimensionality on a two dimensional flat surface. It can get a bit technical, but since my aim here on this blog journey was to learn a few more technical skills, I think I can try to manage some of that !

The Creative Drawing textbook by Smagula gives a good historical overview of the use of perspective and I remember learning some of this in my Fine Arts theory course at university many years ago.

An important thing he mentions in terms of the technical application is that the most important element in linear perspective is the establishment of the horizon line or eye level line. The exercises above are one point perspective (left) with one vanishing point (a single point on the horizon where all lines converge), two point perspective (middle) with two vanishing points and three point perspective (right) a lithograph by Charles Sheeler (1926)

The practice of one point perspective was of my hallway where all the parallel lines move away from me and converge at the horizon line or eye level. I was just doing a quick sketch, but looking back, I should have used a ruler to make the lines and angles very accurate.

The two point perspective was from the corner of my dining table. The two vanishing points are at the edges of the triangle corners. I don't think the angles of the table are quite right. This more unusual perspective would take more practise to get right. The three point perspective is shown in an artwork "Delmonico Building" by Charles Sheeler (1926). Its use is required when drawing a tall building from positioned at the base. It has the two horizontal vanishing points as with a two point perspective, as well as the lines converging at the top to form a third vanishing point.

It's all a bit architectural for me.... Next topic is "Multiple Perspectives".. sounds super technical ! am feeling apprehensive...