Two Point Perspective
It is used when only the vertical edges of rectangular objects are parallel to the picture plane, as
opposed to one-point perspective, in which whole sides of an object-and therefore horizontal and
vertical edges-are parallel to the picture plane. In two-point perspective, only the verticals are truly
parallel to each other. All lines of edges parallel to the flat earth will appear to point to locations on the
horizon. Each set of receding parallel lines has its own vanishing point. Sets of parallel lines that are
parallel to one another share a vanishing point.
Leading edge line
In this view, we will turn the box so the corner is facing you, which
creates a leading edge. It is the front vertical line of the box when the
corner of the box is facing you.
Ground Line
It is the line of intersection of the horizontal and the vertical planes
of projection. It represents the ground level in linear (two-point)
perspective.
How to Project a Cube in Two Point Perspective
1. Place the correctly proportioned top view of your subject and side view of your subject. (See
figure 2)
2. Place the picture plane below the top view as we see the picture plane edgewise, so it is only a
horizontal line. (See figure 2)
3. Place a station point based on how far the viewer is standing from the picture plane. (See figure
2)
4. Project the picture plane vanishing points from the station point based on the angle of the top
view. (See figure 3)
(insert figure 3 – left, middle, right)
5. Draw a ground line from the bottom of the side view parallel to the horizon line. (See figure 2)
6. Project the height of object by drawing a line from the top of its side view, parallel to the ground
line. (See figure 2)
7. Placing a horizon line
a. For Street view, draw the horizon line from the middle (half) of the projected height of
your subject. (See figure 5)
b. For Worm’s Eye View, draw the horizon line below of the projected height of your
subject. (See figure 4)
c. For Bird’s Eye View, draw the horizon line above of the projected height of your subject.
(Insert figure 4 – worm’s, figure 5 – street, figure 6 - bird’s)
8. Project the picture plane vanishing points on the horizon line.
9. Project a line from the edge of the object on the top view touching the picture plane,
perpendicular to the picture plane to determine the leading edge.
10. To find the width of the object, draw lines from the station point to the left and right corners of
the top view. Make marks where these fines cross the picture plane fine.
11. From these new marks, draw lines perpendicular to the picture plane. These lines place the side
corners of the object in perspective.
12. Connect the leading edge line to the vanishing points.
13. For the Upper or Lower View of the cube (For worm and bird’s eye view) and the hidden lines,
connect the upper and lower corners of the object in perspective to the vanishing points.
How to Project a Cone in Two Point Perspective
A cone is basically a cube with rounded edges but has a pinched end. Its top view is a circle that can be
enclosed in a square while
1. Place a correctly proportioned top view of cone enclosed in a square at an angle and side view at
the lower right of the paper.
2. Project a Cube including the hidden lines.
3. Connect the corners of your cube, from corner to corner, (both the top and bottom of the cube),
creating an ‘X’ mark, to find the center of each end of your cube.
4. Connect the center of your cube (the center of the ‘X’ mark of the bottom of the cube) to the
vanishing point.
5. Mark where it intersects with the exterior shape of your cube to show you where to draw your
ellipses.
6. Connect the dots with curved lines, noting that they will not look like perfect circles.
7. Mark where the vertical line from the ‘X’ mark made earlier intersects the ellipse.
8. Connect it to the center of the top of the cube.
References
Cylinders And Cones | Beginner’s School. (n.d.). Www.beginnersschool.com. Retrieved March 5,
2023, from http://www.beginnersschool.com/2015/05/04/cylinders-and-cones/
Martin, S. (n.d.). Two-Point Perspective. Guidetodrawing.com. https://guidetodrawing.com/linear-
perspective/two-point-perspective/
Sipp, S. M., Taylor, C. L., & Sdc Publications. (2014). Exploring perspective hand drawing:
fundamentals for interior design. Sdc Publications.
Yee, R. (2007). Architectural Drawing (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
