home

Homework assignment 3

20 cubes in linear perspective

This assignment helps you to understand distance and perspective. Perspective is how objects appear to recede into the distance. Linear perspective is a geometric system that artists use to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface. Choosing a vanishing point on your paper at or above the horizon line and extending lines from that to a solid object makes it appear to recede into the distance. This creates 3-dimensional solids that seem to jump off the paper. 

To begin: First draw a line on your paper. This will become the horizon line. 

Next: Put a dot in the middle of the line. This dot becomes the vanishing point where all of the lines of perspective converge. 

Then: Draw 20 squares or rectangles using a ruler. Put them all around the vanishing point. Some will be above the horizon line and some below. Make sure your angles are 90 degrees. You may check this using the end of your ruler. THe letter L forms a 90 degree angle. 

After you draw your squares use your ruler to draw lines from the ends of the shape to the vanishing point. 

Now end the cubes by drawing parallel lines to the existing sides of the cubes. Keep the bottom horizontal and the sides vertical. Your new lines will form 90 degree angles as well. After a while you may wish to erase the lines that return to the vanishing point leaving only the drawn cube. 

These lines become implied lines. They exist only in our imagination.