The Case of the …
A WebQuest about
Linear Perspective
Intro Mission
Recreate
Evaluate Play
Introduction
Points have been vanishing in landscape
drawings for years. On your journey to
uncover the mystery, you will go back in time
to find some of the first vanishing points
documented in art history. Then, you will
learn about the techniques you will need to
recreate a similar scene and create the
illusion once again!
Your Mission
To understand perspective enough to reproduce it you must
be a careful detective. Here is your mission…
• First you must learn the terms of perspective.
• Then, examine the evidence
(from old paintings)
• Search for clues all around you
• And recreate the crime scene.
Learn the Terms
Directions: Record your findings with your partner on the handout.
1. What is the definition of Linear Perspective?
2. What are Vanishing Points and Converging Lines?
3. How does an artist show Depth or create deep
space in a painting?
Examine the Evidence
Directions: You will go back in time and view pieces of art from art
history. Click on different parts of the painting to discover the hidden
evidences of perspective.
1. View this early Italian Renaissance painting
Don’t forget to click for evidence of perspective!
2. View another painting by the same artist.
This time click on what every line in the
painting seems to point to!
3. Now see if Leonardo da Vinci’s artwork showed signs of
perspective in a painting he did in 1473 at age 21.
Search For Clues Around
Directions: Perspective drawing helps create the illusion of depth.
You
Before you can create it you must learn how to find in all around you. We
have set up spy cameras in different locations throughout the city of
Chicago.
1. View each camera then pick one to focus on.
2. Draw a sketch from any of the spy cams. Include as many
clues of perspective that you can find. For example; a
vanishing point, converging lines, relative size, position on
the picture plane, and aerial perspective.
Recreate the Crime
Take out paper, pencil, and ruler. Both you and your partner need to follow these steps
to each make your own landscape drawing with linear perspective.
1. Turn your paper horizontally.
2. Trace the stencil in the center of the paper.
3. Click here and follow the drawing steps.
4. Add details to your perspective drawing
such as windows, street lights, cars, & trees.
5. Outline your drawing and color with overwriters.
Evaluation
The Case of the
Vanishing Point
4
3
2
1
Evidence
Student can
accurately show 4
characteristics of
perspective.
Student can
accurately show 3
characteristics of
perspective.
Student can
accurately show 2
characteristics of
perspective.
Student can
accurately show 1
characteristic
of perspective.
points
X 20=
Drawing
Drawing is
detailed.
Drawing is
somewhat
detailed.
Drawing has few
details.
The drawing
lacks detail OR it
is unclear.
points
X 20=
Coloring
The coloring is
neat and complete
with creative
touches.
The coloring is
somewhat neat
and complete.
Coloring is not
neat and covers
some details of
the drawing.
Coloring is not
neat and covers
many details of
the drawing.
points
X 20=
Following
Directions
Student followed
all the directions in
the WebQuest.
Student followed
most of the
directions in the
WebQuest.
Student followed
some of the
directions in the
WebQuest.
Student followed
a few of the
directions in the
WebQuest.
points
X 20=
Worksheet
Student
completed all 4
sections correctly.
Student
completed 3
sections correctly.
Student
completed 2
sections correctly.
Student
completed 1
section correctly.
points
X 20=
Score
Total score= ___/100
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Piero della Francesca The Flagellation c. 1469
Piero della Francesca
Montefeltro Altarpiece 1465 (detail)
You clicked
on the
Vanishing
Point!
You clicked
the spot that
all the lines
point to!
You clicked
on the
foreground!
You clicked
on a
converging
line!
Add a vanishing point in the center of your stencil area.
Draw two converging lines to the vanishing point to make a road.
Add the horizon line.
To make a building, start with a rectangle that goes below and
above the horizon line.
Lightly draw converging lines from the top and bottom right edges
to the vanishing point.
Draw a vertical line within the converging lines to make the back
edge of the building.
Define the roof and bottom of your building. Make sure they still
converge to the vanishing point.
Try another building on the other side. Make the rectangle tall
enough to go above and below the horizon line.
Lightly draw the converging lines from the top and bottom left
edges of the rectangle to the vanishing point.
Draw a vertical line to make the back edge of the building.
Define the top and bottom edges of the building. Make sure they
both head towards the vanishing point.
Try another. This time, allow the building to be partly overlapped.
Draw converging lines.
Add the back edge.
Define the top and bottom edges.
Try another building. Create a crowded feeling with more
overlapping. Try going off the top of the paper.
Draw the back edge.
Define the top and bottom edges of the building.
Try another building. This time make it lower than the horizon line.
Draw THREE converging lines to the vanishing point.
Define the roof and the side of the building.
Erase any extra converging lines and overlapped parts.
Mission Accomplished!
Now, you may go on a driving quest for a
vanishing point with Hyper Trak, an online
video game.
Can you spot signs of perspective in this game?