Exercise 2: ONE POINT PERSPECTIVE, Drawing Squares and Cubes

Introducing objects into an environment requires that we establish the orientation each form has in relation to the horizon line. Here we are starting with a series of cubes. The first step is to establish a horizon line. The second step is to establish a vanishing point. The third step is to choose where you want the objects to sit. I usually draw a horizontal line to indicate the front bottom edge of a cube. In this case the line will be parallel with the horizon line. Next, I draw a vertical line up from each edge of the base line. These sides will

be “perpendicular” or at 90 degree angles to the base. The last step is to connect these vertical lines with another horizontal line that is perpendicular to the base line.

You now have a flat square standing in space. To give this shape dimension you will draw orthogonal lines from each corner of the square to the vanishing point. Repeating the process above you can locate the back edge of the base of the cube by drawing a horizontal line between the two converging lines.

Draw two vertical lines up to the lines that extend from the top corners of the front square and then, complete the shape with a horizontal line. You now have a transparent cube. To make it solid you can then erase the lines that indicate the back facing sides if the object.

In the example below, you can see how it is possible to turn or pivot these shapes in space and still use the same vanishing point to establish the perspective. The same rules of parallel lines and right angles still apply.

Create a second drawing that shows several boxes tilted in space.