The Perspective University

Written, Designed and Illustrated by Author - Val Barclay ©The Perspective University

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Contents

Give your work more depth...

Get through that and perspective becomes clear...

Lets look at Image 6 and Image 7, Stage 1...

Lets go to Stage 2....

The importance of constructing your image...

What does each Line mean?

Adobe Illustrator CS5

3 Point Perspective

The importance of using perspective...

Learn 2 Draw


Dedicated to Carina


The Perspective
University
If I said to you while we are standing at the edge of a beach, how far do you
think the horizon line is away from us, could you answer that question? What if I
said to you that it’s a easy calculation once you know your own height, wouldn’t
that give you a better understanding of the world around you, I am sure it
would. And if you were an artist, would you not find that a great help for your
landscapes!

That is what Perspective is about, the best help you can have as an artists,
without hesitation. Sometimes we know what is the right thing to do yet we
cannot find ourselves doing it, because it’s not necessary, in our mind. They don’t
know so why should I be concerned!

Often over the years I have looked at great artwork and the reason it’s great
artwork for me is the fact that I know the artist knows perspective, they respect
perspective and also bring into play perspective. We all use perspective in our
everyday life, almost from the day we were born and yet unless we are artist,
that includes Architect’s, Illustrators or a Fine Art artist, we fail to use it.

Perspective is not about complications, technical ability, it’s about real life and
everything around us and we all know perspective really well, it’s just that we
have accepted it as a way of life. If you produce any kind of artwork, and I know
many people do, then you should learn perspective.

Give your work more depth...
As a newborn baby we are amazed at everything around us, yet we have no
perception of perspective. As we approach 8 months or so and we are often on
the floor, the once giant figures of our parents start to make more sense. They
can judge them by the size of the surrounding which by now the child has a far
greater understanding of dimensions, depth, height and width.

This is perspective, being able to take an object depth, height and width and view


it in whatever position or distant it’s placed, and still understands that object.
Perspective is one of those words that even looks and sound complex, but it’s
not. It’s easy! And when you start to learn perspective as an artist you will never
understand how you managed without it.

So OK, lets start to understand perspective and if by the time I get to the end of
this 25 page report and you still do not understand why YOU should learn per-
spective as an artist then I have failed and cannot help you, but if you can see the
point I am making then by all means come and join me at The Perspective Uni-
versity and learn more.

LETS START HERE!

You will often see these images whenever you hear of perspective; have a look at
image 1 and image 2.
Vanishing Point
Centre of Vision

Horizon Line
Line of Vision

Ground Line

Station Point

Image 1 Image 2

The ‘perspective set-up’ and the ‘railway track’ images are possible the most
used way of showing perspective. Take image 1, these are the components.

• Ground Line

• Horizon Line

• Line of Sight

• Vanishing Lines

• Vanishing Points

• Station Point


A few other lines are added to image 1 to make a full picture, but these are of-
ten not shown. It could be that it starts to get too technical.

Often you see in an article written by someone you assume knows a little
perspective and he may say ‘Perspective is just an Illusion’, they are wrong!
Perspective is not an illusion, it’s real, it’s around you at all times, how can it be
an illusion.

Each day we wake in the morning we start to put perspective to work,
dimensions, depth, height and width all around us. It becomes so natural. We
our instinct tells us how far the floor is away from the bed, so you roll out of
bed.You look across to the wardrobe and the doorway to the bathroom, you
instinctively know the distant you are going to travel, your eyes and brain tells
you so. This is not an illusion it’s real!
Now, put that on paper, on a 2 dimensional plane and Wow, how did I do that?

That is the beginning of perspective and image 1 has most of the details you will
need to create perspective.

The problem here is, as an artist who feel ‘I draw what I see’ OK, I understand
that, but what do you really see?

Get through that and perspective becomes clear...
Image 1 is showing you the Horizon Line, your new line of sight, your eye level.
That level tells you how far you are from the ground, the Ground Line.You are
now working with perspective, or should I say a ‘piece of paper’, you have to
think that way if you wish to learn perspective.You are dealing with distant in 2
dimensions. The subject matter again becomes technical for some, but you have
to go through the stages, that is perspective!

Before I go any further I want you to look at the images on the next 2 pages, 3
different format and styles yet look at the perspective used, all from the same
artist Denis Peterson. Every part of his artwork calls for perspective, without it
these images would not look as ral as they do. Look at the girl in the cafe having
her meal, above is the reflection of the building accross the street, just to remind
you that this is perspective at it’s best.


Image 3

Image 4


Image 5

Check out Denis Peterson artwork GO HERE and see the skill you can acquire
with those simple lines in image 1.

So yes, you have to get through the learning curve, but inside us all we have it,
we just need to use it as artists. In all his work above you can see perspective at
it’s best; you just have to know how to use it. But you can also see if you look
closely, all the elements of image 1.

Try to find the elements of Image 1 yourself in images 3, 4, and 5, see just how
much you know about perspective.


Lets look at Image 6 and Image 7, Stage 1...
Cone of Vision

Vanishing Point

Centre of Vision

Horizon Line

Line of Vision
Ground Line

Station Point

Image 6

Cone of Vision

Vanishing Point

Centre of Vision

Horizon Line
Line of Vision

Ground Line

Station Point

Image 7


You will see that image 6 now has some more lines and the text added, this is
what you are going to work with, how simple is that! Each of the elements of
image 6 is all you have to know for now. The study of these basic lines is all you
need to study perspective and when you learn perspective you don’t even need
the lines, you can see them clearly. How, because you have learned perspective!

Lets go to Stage 2.
Look at image 8, can you tell me the size of the drawn image? No, you have no
reference to size, yet you have a good feel of size and depth. If this was the area
of a person’s head lying down on the ground that you are about to draw you can
see a dramatic image about to form! If you know a little about perspective you
will know how easy that was to produce.

Cone of Vision

Vanishing Point

Centre of Vision
Horizon Line

Ground Line

Station Point

Image 8

Image 9 Image 10


The importance of constructing your image
The construction of the images using the lines from image 7 was all that was
needed. Using the lines and learning about each line must now be looked at
seriously, for you to understand perspective.

That is the part that puts most people off, the construction, but I repeat, once
you know it you won’t even need to do any construction, yet your artwork will
always look more real.

Now construct your own image based on the construction lines in image 7 and
see what you can do. Try to stack a few of the images or put them beside each
other. Be careful of the green circle, which is your Cone of Vision. Outside of the
circle and the image becomes distorted, just as in real life, and we refer to it as
being out of focus yet the brain puts it right. More on distortation later!

On a piece of paper you need to get it right! The brain and eye is already doing
its job by seeing all around you so keep all your concentration on the paper. Try
taking your image above the Horizon Line, like image 11 below.

Cone of Vision

Vanishing Point

Horizon Line

Ground Line

Station Point

Image 11


Image 12 Image 13

The construction lines in image 11 shows the vanishing lines going above the
Horizon Line for the first time, and has changed the size of the figure even more
radical yet we can see the size of the object, just as we would in real life and
also know the object stands above us. We don’t need the Horizon Line to tell us
how tall the object is, we can have a good guess, this is perspective. If you have a
printer, print image 7 and construct your own image.

For many of you looking at this and think you do not have any knowledge of per-
spective think again, I hope you can create and appreciate what has been done in
image 11. If so welcome to Perspective!

What does each Line mean?
I will explain each line in image 7. I hope the explanation below will help you to
learn and understand the lines a little better as these are the tools you will need
to create perspective. Learn to understand these simple tools and you will go far
in perspective.

Cone of Vision

When the eye looks intently in one direction, there is a limit to what can be
seen. The boundary of vision is conical and for perspective purpose the angle
of the Cone is 60 degrees (60º), or less, and has its apex at the eye, or Station
Point.

Station Point

This is the position taken up by the eye of the observer.

Visual Ray

The Visual ray is a ray of light or sight line (Line of Vision) travelling from a given
point on the subject to the Station Point.

Picture Plane

This is a Window or Transparent Plane placed between the Station Point and the
Subject upon which the image or picture is drawn. The Picture Plane is at right
angles to the ground line in 2 Point Perspective. In 3 Point Perspective it’s at an
angle, more on 3 point Perspective in our training course.

Image 14 below shows the Picture Plane

Plan View

Picture Plane

Ground Line

Side View

Station Point
Picture Plane
60º

Image
Subject

Ground Line

Image 14


Subject

The object drew, i.e. the subject of the picture or image to be produced on the
Picture Plane.

Center of Vision or Point of Sight

This is the nearest point on the Picture Plane to the Station Point i.e. the point
directly opposite the Station Point.

Vanishing Point

The Vanishing Point is a point on the Picture Plane to which a set of parallel lines
appears to converge. To find the Vanishing Point of a line, a line should be drawn
parallel to it through the Station Point until it intersects the Picture Plane. The
point of the intersection is the Vanishing Point. See Image 14.

Horizon Line

The Horizon Line drawn on the Picture Plan in which the Vanishing Points of all
horizontal lines will appear. It is found by drawing a line through the Station Point
parallel to the Ground Plane, i.e. the level of the eye, until it intersects the Pic-
ture Plane.

Ground Line

This is the line at the intersection of the Picture Plane and the Ground Plane.

Ground Plane

The Ground Plane is the horizontal surface on which the Subject generally rests.
It is also the base from which the level of the Station Point and other heights are
measured. This are is also one of the more important part of the perspective set-
up as this is the plane that all major measurements are taken.

The Image

The image is the perspective picture or Illustration drawn as it were on the Pic-
ture Plane or sheet of paper, etc.

The first of the above, the Cone of Vision
The importance of the Cone of Vision in creating any form of illustration must
not be taken lightly. Without good understanding of this matter you are open to


problems in your drawing and this is the point I have with Adobe Illustrator CS5
and wish to let as many people know of these problems, you can still put it right.

It is not in the scope of this report to give you a lesson in this
area but I will do my very best to show you the problems.

The reason for the Cone of Vision (in real life) is for the human eye to see
everything within the correct focus, outside that and the brain takes over to
correct the problem, enabling us to see correctly. But when you put perspective
into the equation you are now working with 2 dimension and the Cone of Vision
has to be used. You will see from Image 15 below that we have a huge problem
with this drawing; a drawing produced by Adobe and is used in promotional
articles.

Image 15


A vast area of this illustration is out of focus or outside the Cone of Vision.
Can you see it? If you know perspective it’s a easy matter to see the problem,
distortion. Outside the Cone of Vision distortion is always caused and this is a
big problem with people drawing landscapes, building and even closer images
such as a portrait or a bowl of fruits.

Let me make this a little clearer, for this is one of the reason I am creating a
Membership Site to teach perspective to the masses.

Adobe Illustrator CS5
Image 16 was taken from the top of the foremost tower, this is where the
distortion is more notable and from a company like Adobe this is insane. Adobe
could show some more respect for their clients,
such as thousands of you out there. You are
drawing the wrong images. See image 16, the
ellipse is the major problem.

Ellipses are a major part of perspective and you
cannot fail to understand the construction of an
ellipse, also known as a Circle in Perspective.

Now look at Image 17 and how I have
corrected the distortion in Image 16...

This should not be allowed especially from such
a renowned company as Adobe.
Image 16
To explain this I have produced a drawing image
17 to show just what can happen when you have
the Cone of Vision ‘out of position’, this is when
you have not position yourself in the right place
to start your perspective drawing.

Get to know perspective and you can correct
these things and make your image have a more
realistic look and not the image created in
image 15.

Image 17


Cone of Vision

Picture Plane

A
60º
SP

Cone of Vision

B

60º
SP

A

B

Image 18


Without the correct position of the Cone of
Vision this is the result see Image 18
This is the problem with the new Illustrator CS5, the cone of vision is totally
out, why, I guess only Adobe can answer that one. Was Illustrator CS5
created without the Cone of Vision? One of the most important components
in perspective drawing! That would be hard to believe. You always have to
remember that we are creating perspective on a piece of paper, a 2 dimensional
plane, which means if we are to take the 3 dimension of real life, we must be able
to create it accurately.

The Cone of Vision should always be 60º or less, especially for buildings. If the
angle is greater, then a distorted image will result. Image 18 shows a subject
drawn with a correct, B and incorrect, A, Cone of Vision. The practical problems
concerning illustrations are dealt with in the course and how to correct them.

Perspective, the most important part of any artist tools

Often when carrying out theoretical exercises such as draft sketches, it is not
necessary to concern yourself with the problem of the Cone of Vision, but when
attempting an illustration, your artwork whatever it may be, it is vital to do so.

As you can see from the above illustrations perspective is a subject that starts
off with a technical understanding. Weather you are creating a picture in water-
colour, oils, pen and ink or a technical illustration, perspective must be looked at
in all these cases. I am not going to tell you it’s a simple matter, but I will tell you
it is the most important part of any artist tools.

As with any artist preparation is of utmost important. Looking at your subject
and choosing the correct view and position within your canvas must be taken
with care. If you create landscape you must allow the viewers of your artwork
to position themselves in the same position, as you were when you started your
drawing. They must be able to have a line of sight and horizon line. You must be
able to show them everything you see in your artwork and the best and most
accurate way to do so is by using perspective.

3 Point Perspective
I have not touched on 3 Point Perspective for a good reason. As artist we are
usually creating an image that is almost always accepted with 2 Point Perspective.
The reason for that is the scale at witch we draw. Even a tall tree is perceived

as vertical lines parallel to each other, which is true for 2 Point Perspective. The
brain knows it to be parallel so we draw it that way.

Image 19

But that is not the case for an architect; the scale of his work image 19 is a
different matter and this is where 3 Point Perspective is often found. To be able
to give a more realistic view they often have to use the third point that is below
or above the Station Point.

Image 20

Here I have created a book shelve and I am viewing it from above. An unusual
view but never the less I created this image in 3 Point Perspective to show the
vast different 3 Point Perspective can make. Being in the right position is of great
importance here as you can make the subject look totally out of scale if you are
not careful.


VP1 Horizon Line or Eye Level VP2

VP3

Image 21

Image 21 shows the construction and you can see the 3
Vanishing Points in position to the viewer or Station Point.
Again the Cone of Vision is bought into place to keep the image
as real as possible otherwise it could be a disaster and that is
not the point of perspective.

I hope I have given you an insight into perspective and I do hope you will enrol
in our classes to have a better knowledge of perspective and its important use in
your artwork. And please do not get put off with the technical learning of per-
spective, it’s a necessary action to learn as you get to grips with the whole idea
of perspective.
Once you start to use perspective in your drawing you will come to appreciate
it a whole lot more and start to have fun with your artwork.

The importance of using perspective...

I hope you have a better understanding of perspective from this report and will
continue to do so. I have seen books and articles on the Internet that makes the
learning of perspective confusing by adding unnecessary lines and curves to what
is a very simple operation.

My main aim is to show you what you can achieve with perspective and the
importance of using perspective in your drawing to create a real view for all to
see. As I have said before, perspective is not an illusion it’s real!

Can you answer any of these questions?

• Are you willing to take time out and learn?

• Do you need perspective in your place of work?

• Are you an artist, do you create illustration of any kind?

• Do you use Illustrator CS5 perspective?

If your answer is yes to any of the above question then join us at The Perspective
University and start to use perspective correctly in your work. You will find the
link to the website below and the doors will be opened for you in January 2011.

The Perspective University

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Do you struggle with figure drawing?
Learn in 3 simple steps to easily do pencil drawings of the human figure,
whether beginner or advanced.
Go here for Information

I look forward to hearing from you about your many art successes and how you can develope your
techniques in drawing with Perspective. Thanks again for taking the time to look at my report.

Sincerely,

Val Barclay

Please contact us at admin@perspectivedotcom.com with any questions.

The Perspective University

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