One-Point Perspective
From 2D to 3D
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We see things in 3 dimensions,
but to create that look in 2D
artwork, without using a photo,
means using perspectives to
‘fake’ the look of 3D.
But perspectives require more
than just light, shadow and
color. To create the effect of
3D depth, you need horizon
lines and at least one
vanishing point.
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Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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One-Point Perspective
Perspectives in Art
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Renaissance artists turned to the use of perspective to enhance
their compositions and heighten the realism of their paintings.
Arasse D. (1980) ‘Espace pictoral et image religieuse: le point de vue de Masolino sur la perspective’, in La Prospettiva
Rinasciamentale: Codificazioni e transgressioni, Vol. I, M.D. Emiliani, Ed., Centro Di: Firenze.
For more examples: http://www.webexhibits.org/sciartperspective/raphaelperspective1.html
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Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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One-Point Perspective
Vocabulary 1
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Vanishing Point – the point on
the horizon where parallel lines
seem to converge.
Horizon line – the line that
represents your eye level; where
the sky meets ground or water.
Unity – a quality that occurs
when all parts of an artwork
combine to create a sense of
completion and wholeness.
vanishing
point
horizon line
(refer to the art on the previous slide)
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Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
3
One-Point Perspective
Vocabulary 2
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Emphasis – the visual sense of
importance given to objects or areas
in artwork. This is accomplished with
the size, color, shape, or placement
of an object or area to create
dominance, contrast, or a focal point.
Proportion – the size relationship of
the parts of an artwork to each other
and/or to the whole piece. Example:
the size relationship of the nose to
the whole face shows proportion.
emphasis –
smokestack is most important
object; it has focal placement
proportion –
barrel shown bigger than horse
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Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
4
One-Point Perspective
Vocabulary 3
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Pattern – repetition of line, shape,
color, texture, space, or form in an
artwork. A pattern is a model or plan
to be followed when making
something.
Rhythm – a sense of visual
movement or motion caused by the
repetition of the elements of art in an
artwork. In music, rhythm refers to
the pattern of the notes.
pattern and rhythm –
both represented by the columns
and windows of the building
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5
One-Point Perspective
Vocabulary 4
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Form – three-dimensional shapes
expressing length, width, and depth.
Balls, cylinders, boxes, and pyramids
are forms.
Space – the area between and
around objects. In visual art, when
we create the feeling or illusion of
depth, we call it space.
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6
One-Point Perspective
Vocabulary 5
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Visual Texture – the surface
quality that can be seen. As
opposed to actual or tactile
texture; visual texture fools the eye
to make the viewer believe that a
two-dimensional surface has
three-dimensional characteristics.
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Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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One-Point Perspective
There are lots of uses for 3D…
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Signs
t-shirts
Illustrations
Paintings
Images
Posters
CD covers
Recreating objects
There are as many uses as there
are graphic design projects
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Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
8
One-Point Perspective
…but how do you create it
with One-Point Perspective?
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In this image there is a well defined
horizon line and vanishing point.
That is how to start.
Add the text you wish to use, then
draw straight lines from the points
and edges of the letters to the
vanishing point.
*** This image needs correcting,
because not all of the straight lines
properly point to the vanishing point.
vanishing
point
horizon line
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission.
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