One Point Perspective_ 3ºESO

Optical Illusion Drawing

One Point Perspective

One point perspective is easily understood by the photos on the left: See how the road and the train tracks seem to “meet” on the horizon?

What is One Point Perspective? Dictionary.com defines one point perspective as: “...a mathematical system for representing three-dimensional objects and space on a two-dimensional surface by means of intersecting lines that are drawn vertically and horizontally and that radiate from one point on a horizon line…” Although this definition sounds complicated, the concept is relatively simple. One point perspective is a drawing method that shows how things appear to get smaller as they get further away, converging (coming together) towards a single ‘vanishing point’ on the horizon line. It is a way of drawing objects upon a flat piece of paper (or other drawing surface) so that they look three-dimensional and realistic.

Horizon Line

In this one point perspective drawing, you can see how all lines converge (meet) at a single vanishing point.

Student Examples

For this lesson, we will be creating an optical illusion drawing of floating shapes, filled with pattern and color, that utilize one point perspective.

We will be using the techniques described in these video clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Mg6HWfdKM (These video clips were made by another teacher, so disregard the information she’s saying that doesn’t apply to you)

Draw a tiny dot near the center of your paper. Gather small objects that you can use to trace. (In class, we will be using stencils.)

Dot near center

Step 1: Set up and establish your vanishing point

• Trace shapes all over your paper, but be sure not to trace over your center dot or have any shapes going off the edge.
• You can have a variety of shapes, or repeat a single style. You can even free-hand draw some organic (curvy) shapes if you want.
• It is very important to fill the space up and have your shapes be close without touching!

Step 2: Tracing your shapes

• Using the method described in the video we watched, use a pencil and a ruler to connect the corners of your shapes to the center dot.
• Start with the shapes closest to the center.
• For circles or organic shapes with no corners, connect the outermost edge to the center dot.

Step 3: 1-point perspective lines

Believable overlap created by STOPPING THE LINES when you reach a shape that’s closer to the center

• Continue connecting the corners/edges of your shapes to the center dot with a pencil and ruler.
• As you work towards the outermost shapes, be sure to STOP your lines when you run into a shape that’s closer to the center. This will create a believable overlapping effect.

Step 4: Continue 1-Point Perspective lines

OOPS! I forgot to take a photo of my example! Here’s a student’s work, all Sharpied!

Neatly go over your shapes and lines with Sharpie.

• Thick Sharpie for the shapes.
• Thin Sharpie for the side lines.

Step 5: Sharpie

One Color Value Transitions TWO COLOR Value transition COLOR ALL DONE! (teal/blue fading in opposite ways, and overlapping slightly)

Step 6: Color

We will use color pencils to fill in the sides of all our shapes. We want to show a range of VALUE, (lights and darks,) by varying the pressure of the pencils and/or creating blending effects with two colors.

Two color fade with red and yellow. Use varying pressure to fade the colors in opposite directions, be sure to have them overlap to soften the blending effect.

Step 7: PATTERNS!

• All your shapes with be filled with patterns. You may make up some patterns, but I also want you to use some of the ZENTANGLE resources provided separately!
• Try to fill each shape all the way to the edge.
• Use thin Sharpie, but if a pattern requires a large area to be filled in black, you may use thick Sharpie
• TIP: Try planning out complex patterns with pencil first.

Other examples With Colored Pencil on Shapes!

No Color/Shading With Ebony Pencil Shading on shapes

Step 8: OPTIONAL! Coloring or Shading your Shapes!

Final Step: Carefully cut out your design, and use a glue stick to attach it to black or colored paper! TIP: Place it under a heavy book for a few minutes to let the glue set!

GOALS DRAWING YOUR SHAPES

• You have at least ten shapes. They are neatly traced and spaced..

ORTHOGONAL LINES: (The lines connecting your shapes to the vanishing point)

• All your Orthogonal lines neatly/accurately connect the corners/sides of your shapes to the vanishing point.
• You used a ruler to accurately complete this step.
• Believable overlap is created by stopping the orthogonal lines if they ran into another existing shape

SHARPIE WORK:

• All shapes and lines are neatly traced with Sharpie: THICK Sharpie for the shapes,

THIN Sharpie for the Orthogonal lines. COLOR

• You have showed a good range of value, (lights and darks) on all shape sides by varying the pressure of the pencils.
• You applied the color pencil carefully, evenly, and smoothly.
• The SURFACE of each shape should be colored: (it may be similar or different than the sides)

CUTTING AND MOUNTING YOUR PROJECT

• You neatly cut out your finished design.
• You followed the instructions to neatly glue the piece to your choice of colored paper. No Glue Smears!!!
• Your name and period appear on the lower left corner of the backing paper.