Gaining a New Perspective

Example of five point perspective drawing.
Gina Taylor's Art stockpile.

Perspective is probably one of the most important techniques and tools needed to draw accurate and representational subjects in art. Done correctly, students will have the feeling of getting it 'right'. Teaching perspective drawing would logically come after contour drawing and before still life as these three drawing techniques build upon one another.

To begin this lesson, It's important that students understand the various types of perspectives that exist in drawing: one point, two point, three, four point ect. I would start by introducing the various perspectives via power point and student/teacher examples. I remember in elementary school (and I hope this is a universal experience), working with perspective, where we drew a horizon line with a point in the center and made two straight lines out of that point to create a landscape with a railroad coming towards the forward plane. I would begin with that anecdote to remind students that they have already worked with perspective (either in previous art classes, or even in geometry).

Example of a two point perspective work sheet completed.

Work sheets that guide first time perspective drawers through the initial process are a great way to introduce students to the technique. Following along with me, we will work through one and two point perspective and then I would have them work on three point themselves (graded worksheet). Its important students use a straight edge and draw their lines lightly at first so that once the form is made, it can be darkened.

A student drawing a house in two point perspective.

Once we have practiced as a class with perspective and each student demonstrates basic grasp of the concept and the technique, we will progress onto completing a final drawing. One idea I have always wanted to do with students (elementary at first but it can be adapted for middle and high schoolers), is stacked cities. Using three point perspective, students will create their ideal city with buildings/shops/houses stacked upon one another. I'd first ask them to think about whats in their city, the challenge is how to incorporate different shapes stacked on top of each other while maintaining correct perspective.