Linear Perspective

Submitted by: Michael Delahunt

Grade Level: Middle School

 

Procedure:

In order to introduce linear perspective to 6th graders, I first give them a unit on architectural history and design. They each make a set of four drawings of either a small vacation home or a fast-food restaurant:

• Bubble diagram

• Floor plan

• Front elevation

• Cross-section drawing

Once they have that experience I've found they're more motivated-- feeling a NEED to learn and understand linear perspective.

 

Start out with one-point perspective with the teacher using the overhead or whiteboard to draw. Art students will follow along with Drawing Pencils and 9x12 (22.9 x 30.5 cm) Drawing Paper. First students are introduced to art terms such as "horizon line" and "vanishing point." A simple rectangle is created with a pointed roof.

 

Once students have followed along and seem to have a grasp at basic perspective, students will then draw four separate drawings that include their dream vacation home, fast food restaurant, or any other building that peaks their interest.

 

"Michael Delahunt authors and publishes an online art dictionary called ArtLex. In addition to defining art terms, ArtLex offers thousands of images of examples, pronunciation notes, great quotations, and cross-references."

 

Books

The Art of Perspective: The Ultimate Guide for Artists in Every Medium - The Art of Perspective offers simple but powerful techniques for achieving a convincing illusion of depth and distance, whether it's a few inches in a still life or miles in a landscape.

 

Perspective Without Pain - this book takes you through a step by step process geared toward all levels of drawing. The beginner is comfortable right away with this daunting subject and the advanced student hones his skills through the study of the later chapters.

 

Link

Drawing in One-Point Perspective - Step-by-step instructions for basic one-point are presented on this site.

 

Other Perspective Lessons on IAD

• Perspective Drawing - This middle school lesson page has several lessons on perspective.

• DeChirico Inspired Perspective lesson - This high school lesson covers two and three point perspective.

• Illusion of Depth - This elementary lesson focuses on making things look near and far.

• When the Giant Came to Town - This fun elementary lesson uses fantasy to make perspective interesting.

• Painting Perspective Tempera - This middle school lesson uses paint in perspective.

• How to Draw a House in Two Point Perspective - This PDF document is a great handout when teaching perspective.