1 Point Perspective

1 point perspective drawings are a type of pictorial drawing.

They are a realistic drawing of an object showing it as if it were disappearing towards 1 vanishing point in the distance.

A good example of a 1 point perspective drawing is railway tracks.

Up close they appear full size but then taper away thinner as they stray into the distance.

1 point perspective sketch of railway tracks

If a 1 point perspective drawing is full size from the front, what view of the shape or area will be drawn full size?

The Elevation is drawn full size with all depths tapered to the vanishing point.

Therefore, the following shapes seen as a front view should be drawn:◦ Rectangles/squares with 90° corners◦ Circles using compass◦ Triangles with angles measured

The rectangle below is the front of a box

All corners are drawn at 90°.

Here, the vanishing point is being added to the drawing.

Vanishing Point

Now all depths are projected back to the vanishing point.

You cannot make accurate measurements using a ruler when drawing a perspective drawing. Instead estimate the sizes by using a suitable proportion of sizes in the drawing.

These depths will be drawn horizontally or vertically.

Now darken in your finished 1 point perspective shape.

All depths go to the vanishing point. The front shapes are drawn as follows:

◦ Rectangles/squares with 90° corners◦ Circles using compass◦ Triangles with angles measured

You cannot measure depths. Instead estimate these depths, being careful to keep your drawing in a good proportion.