Theatrical Design and Production Chapter 21: Perspective Drawing © 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right...

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 21: Perspective Drawing

© 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right reserved.

Perspective drawing provides a sketch with the illusion of realistic depth

Computer programs have simplified this process, but you should know how to hand-draw in perspective




Principles of Perspective

Based on the following terminology:

Foreshortening – Representing the lines of an object as shorter than they are in order to give the illusion of proper relative size

Vanishing point – The point on the horizon to which a set of parallel lines recedes

Horizon line – A line in a perspective drawing representing the meeting of the earth and sky; normally drawn parallel to the top or bottom edge of the paper




Foreshortening at work

Vanishing point





To draw an accurate perspective sketch you must know…

1. The distance from the observer to the object being drawn2. The height of the observer’s eye above the object being drawn3. The size and shape of the object





More to know…

Relative position of the object in

relation to a vertical plane that is placed between the

observer and the object





The vertical plane in various theatre spaces shifts…





Creating a Perspective Drawing

Observation point

Floor line: The base of the vertical plane in a perspective drawing; for a proscenium sketch, usually drawn across the stage in contact with the downstage edge of the proscenium arch; in a thrust drawing, normally placed just outside the auditorium end of the thrust; in an arena sketch, usually placed in the aisle closest to the observer




Creating a Perspective Drawing




Exercise Steps: A

Start with this drawing as your base




Exercise Steps: B

Establish vanishing points for AB / DC and AD / BC




Exercise Steps: C

Contact the perspective-view base line – establishes perspective view of the object




Exercise Steps: D

Find the perspective view of the AB line & point A1




Exercise Steps: E

Find the location of point B1




Exercise Steps: F

Find the perspective view of the AD line & point D1




Exercise Steps: G

Find the location of point C1




Exercise Steps: H

Complete the view




Review of the Perspective Procedure

All drawings are made on a basic grid composed of four lines




The vanishing point is determined by extending (from OP) a line parallel to the ground plan view of that particular line until it intersects the floor line.

From intersection, a vertical line is dropped until it intersects the horizon line





Any point in contact with the floor line is unaffected by the laws of perspective

A line parallel to the line of vision can be dropped from that point to the perspective-view base line





A perspective view of a line can be established by extending a line from the pint of contact with the perspective-view base line to a vanishing point for that particular line





To find the location of any point on the perspective view of a line, draw a sight line from the observation point (OP) to the ground plan view of that point

From the point of intersection between the sight line and the floor, drop a vertical line until it intersects the extended line





After all the perspective points have been located using these techniques, connect those points to provide a perspective view of the object





Perspective Exercises

Exercise 1

Scale: ¼” = 1’-0”

OP: 36’-0” right and 8’-0” up1

Floor Line: 20’-0” from OP

Horizon Line: 3’-0” from OP

Perspective-view base line: extends horizontally through OP

Object being drawn: an 8’-0” square resting on the stage floor with its sides at a 45-degree angle to the floor line and the near corner (A) in contact with the floor line at the line of vision




Exercise 1





Exercise 2

Scale: ¼” = 1’-0”

OP: 36’-0” right and 8’-0” up




Object being drawn: a flat 6’-0” by 10’-0” with its sides at a 45-degree angle to the floor line. The near corner (A) is in contact with the floor line and 7’-0” to the left of the intersection between the line of vision and the floor line




Exercise 2





Exercise 3

Scale: ¼” = 1’-0”





Object being drawn: a platform 8’-0” square by 3’-6” high is placed on the stage with its sides forming 30- and 60- degree angles with the floor line. Corner A is in contact with the floor line and 12’-0” to the left of the intersection of the floor line and the line of vision




Exercise 3





Exercise 4

Scale: ¼” = 1’-0”





Object being drawn: a small flat, 6’-10” by 10’-0”, lying on the stage floor with its sides at a 45-degree angle to the floor line. The near corner A is 4’-6” to the left of the intersection between the floor line and the line of vision and 2’-6” upstage of it




Exercise 4





Exercise 5

Scale: ¼” = 1’-0”





Object being drawn: a large rectangular ceiling flat, 10’-10” by 14’-0”, lying on the stage floor with its longer side parallel with, and 2’-0” upstage from, the floor line. Notice the floor line has been placed at the outer face of the proscenium arch to facilitate your creating a perspective drawing of the arch – Dimensions – 32’-0” wide, 16’-0” high, 1’-0” thick




Exercise 5A




Exercise 5B





Exercise 6

Scale: ¼” = 1’-0”





Proscenium arch: 16’-0” high, 36’-0” wide, and 1’-0” thick

Object being drawn: a full stage setting




Exercise 6





Exercise 7

Scale: ¼” = 1’-0”






Objects being drawn: a very simple set with 14’-0” walls, a 7’-0” door, a sofa, a chair, a table, and a rug. Sofa = 6’-0” long, 2’-6” deep, and 3’-0” high. Wingback chair = 3’-0” wide, 3’-0” deep, and 4’-0” high. The table is 2’-0” square and 3’-0” high.




Exercise 7




When drawing furniture in a box…

1. Draw a box the height, width, and depth of the overall dimensions

2. Sketch the furniture on the faces of the box

3. ‘Uncrate’ the furniture by erasing the box





Exercise 8

Scale: ¼” = 1’-0”


Floor Line: 15’-0” from OP (Note floor line is placed 2’-0” toward the audience from the edge of the stage…




Objects being drawn: a scenic design for an arena production




Exercise 8





Exercise 9

Scale: ¼” = 1’-0”


Floor Line: 25’-0” from OP (Note that the paper has been turned 90 degrees and the floor line is located just in front of the front edge of a thrust stage…




Objects being drawn: a scenic design for a thrust production – the flats are 14’-0” tall and the doors are 6’-9”




Exercise 9 A




Exercise 9 B

Theatrical Design and Production Chapter 21: Perspective Drawing © 2006 McGraw-Hill. All right...

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