Cityscape in 2-Point Perspective

2-pt at eye level

2-pt

Looking

up

2- pt below eye

Level (looking down)

More than 1 or 2 pt perspectives

One-point perspective is great if you happen to be looking directly at the front of something, but what if your subject is turned to the side? Then you need two point perspective! In two point perspective, there are two vanishing points on the horizon line. Every line except vertical ones will converge onto one of the two vanishing points.

1. Let's say you want to draw a city block. Draw a horizon line, and place two vanishing points along it.

2. Let's start with the first building. Draw a vertical line that will be the edge closest to you. Then draw the guidelines for the roof and bottom of the building.

3. Distance is tricky: divide the bottom line in half, and then in half again, and then in half again. This will make it seem as if equal-sized buildings are next to each other.

4. Now draw in guidelines to make other buildings on the block. Remember, every non-vertical line must converge on one of the two vanishing points.

5. Finally, erase the guidelines that you don't need, and get ready to add windows, cars, people, and what-ever else fills your imagination

• Remember, if something is very flat and you can see the top of it, then all of the perspective lines are going to be under the horizon line.

Emphasis

Balance

Frans Masereel (1889-1972)

• A pacifist in World War I, he tried to make his art accessible to the ordinary man. His works were banned by the Nazis and widely distributed in Communist countries. But he rejected "political" art and party affiliation, condemning all enslavements, oppression, war and violence, injustice, and the power of money.

Contrast

Night Scene

Designing your cityscape• Collect and use photo references of building and

cities• Elements from different places, architecture

styles, and cities can be combined• Cities can be modified into “invented city”• Rules of perspective must be followed• Must plan it out first. Answer these questions:

– One or Two point perspective?– Is the view at eye level, above, or below– Is it day or night?– How zoomed in or zoomed out do you want?

Famous cities

• Rome San Francisco• Chicago Sidney• New York London• San Antonio Tokyo• Paris Mexico City• Moscow Los Angeles• Beijing New Orleans• St Louis Venice• Use the terms “Architecture” “skyscrapers”

“city block” to aid your city searches