One-Point Perspective…

in 7 easy steps!

Step 1

• Draw a square on your paper (roughly in the middle.

• Place a dot in your square (again, roughly in the middle)

• The dot is now your vanishing point.

Step 2

• Using a ruler, line your vanishing point up with the four corners of your square (not the corners of your paper!).

• Draw diagonal lines (called orthogonals) out from the corners of your square.

• Orthogonals represent receding parallel lines.

• This creates a ceiling, two walls, and a floor.

Step 3• To draw a door, begin

with one vertical line straight up from the lower diagonal line (the floor)

• At the top of the vertical line, draw an orthogonal to create the top of your door.

• Draw another vertical line down to create the frame of your door.

• Make sure to include a doorknob; you wouldn’t want to have to kick the door down just to walk in now would you?

Step 4

• To draw a window, use the same steps used to create a door.

• This time, however, you will need to include another orthogonal to create the bottom of your window.

Step 5• To add depth to a

window or door, you must first draw horizontal lines from the sides closest to your vanishing point.

• Draw a vertical line to create a little rectangle along the inner side of the window/door.

• Using your ruler, draw two orthogonals from the corners of the rectangle furthest away from the vanishing point.

• Now it looks like your walls are actually thick and won’t fall down when a cool summer breeze blows through.

Step 6• Now that you can draw

something receding into a wall, let’s draw something coming out.

• Draw a horizontal line out from the floor…and then draw a vertical line up from the floor. Draw another horizontal and vertical line to create a small rectangle.

• Using your ruler, draw three orthogonals from the three corners nearest your vanishing point.

• When you determine how long you want this box (or TV, or aquarium) to be, draw a horizontal line between the top two orthogonals.

• Then draw a vertical line between the two side orthogonals.

• This makes it look like your box (or TV, or aquarium) goes back into the space.

Step 7 (almost done!)• To complete your

simple room, erase the unnecessary lines (if you haven’t done so already).

• You can also erase the outer most diagonal line at the bottom of your door. This makes it look like the flooring continues right on up to the door.

• Doesn’t this look more polished?

…and that’s it!

• If you wanted to add a rug in your room, all it takes is drawing a window on the floor.

• You can add lights (or a skylight!) on your ceiling by simply drawing a window on the ceiling.

• Every other thing you could possibly image can be created by combining or slightly manipulating these basic shapes/objects.

• Go forth, young grasshopper, and create your own rooms!