{"id":577,"date":"2012-07-29T03:21:02","date_gmt":"2012-07-29T03:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=577"},"modified":"2026-04-02T21:30:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:30:43","slug":"the-secrets-to-drawing-three-point-perspective","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-three-point-perspective","title":{"rendered":"The Secrets to Drawing &#8211; Three Point Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>The Secrets to Drawing:<\/span> Three Point Perspective<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/103257509?color=ffffff&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\"><span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br \/>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<hr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:1.5em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-the-secrets-to-drawing\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY SINGLE COURSE $60<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This course features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>5 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>28 Videos<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-book\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>26 eBooks<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-shield-alt\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>30 Day Money Back Guarantee<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Description<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Description<\/h2>\n<p>Lesson Nine of The Secrets to Drawing Course takes students into the most dynamic and dramatic form of linear perspective: three-point perspective. While one-point and two-point perspective teach how to show depth and angled forms on the picture plane, three-point perspective introduces a third vanishing point\u2014allowing artists to depict height, extreme viewpoints, and powerful visual angles. This lesson demonstrates how three-point perspective creates scenes that feel immersive, towering, and cinematic.<\/p>\n<p>Building on the understanding gained in Lessons Seven and Eight, students now explore how objects behave when viewed from either a low \u201cworm\u2019s-eye\u201d angle or a high \u201cbird\u2019s-eye\u201d angle. These viewpoints are common in dramatic illustrations, architectural renderings, graphic novels, and dynamic concept art. Through practical demonstrations and guided exercises, this lesson reveals how three-point perspective can take drawings from simply realistic to visually exhilarating.<\/p>\n<h2>Understanding the Three-Point Perspective System<\/h2>\n<p>The lesson begins with a clear explanation of how the three-point system is structured. Unlike two-point perspective\u2014where height is described using vertical lines\u2014three-point perspective uses three vanishing points:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Two vanishing points on the horizon line (left and right), similar to two-point perspective<\/li>\n<li>One vanishing point above or below the horizon, used to define the vertical edges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This system accounts for the way vertical lines converge when we view tall buildings or deep spaces from dramatic angles. Students quickly see how this third vanishing point adds a powerful sense of realism, especially when drawing structures that soar upward or recede downward.<\/p>\n<p>The lesson carefully walks students through identifying the horizon line and placing the three vanishing points. Through guided examples, they observe how each set of parallel lines in the real world relates to one of the vanishing points. This gives students a logical, repeatable method for building complex forms without losing control or accuracy.<\/p>\n<h2>Building Forms Using Three Vanishing Points<\/h2>\n<p>With the structure of the system clearly understood, the lesson moves into constructing forms using three-point perspective. Students begin with simple demonstrations\u2014drawing boxes and rectangular forms viewed from unusual angles. The process typically begins with a single vertical line that serves as the nearest edge of a form. From that point, lines are then extended toward all three vanishing points, creating a structure that convincingly recedes in multiple directions.<\/p>\n<p>The lesson emphasizes patience and accuracy while showing how these receding lines work together to create believable three-dimensional forms. Students learn how to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Angle vertical edges toward the top or bottom vanishing point<\/li>\n<li>Maintain consistent convergence among the receding lines<\/li>\n<li>Draw objects viewed from above or below<\/li>\n<li>Adjust the height of forms without breaking perspective rules<\/li>\n<li>Ensure that multiple forms share the same vanishing points for cohesion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This step reinforces the logic behind perspective, helping students see how the three-point system naturally mirrors real-world observation.<\/p>\n<h2>Drawing Multiple Rectangular Forms in Three-Point Perspective<\/h2>\n<p>After practicing with single structures, students begin the primary exercise for the lesson: drawing multiple rectangular forms arranged within a three-point perspective environment. These forms help students understand how to keep the perspective system consistent across an entire drawing.<\/p>\n<p>The exercise begins with selecting the viewpoint\u2014either a high vantage point (viewing downward) or a low vantage point (looking upward). Students establish the horizon line and mark vanishing points, often placing the third vanishing point far above or below the drawing surface for greater dramatic effect.<\/p>\n<p>From there, students draw several rectangular forms, ensuring all edges converge toward the appropriate vanishing points. Each form may be placed at different distances, sizes, and positions on the page, encouraging students to think about how perspective affects scale and spatial relationships.<\/p>\n<p>As the drawing progresses, the forms begin to create an architectural environment, even without additional details. Students see how three-point perspective inherently adds drama, movement, and dimensionality. The lesson encourages attention to line quality, clarity, and thoughtful placement so the final drawing has both accuracy and visual impact.<\/p>\n<h2>Unlocking Dramatic Space and Viewpoint<\/h2>\n<p>By the end of Lesson Nine, students gain a strong understanding of how to use three-point perspective to construct believable and compelling forms. This system teaches not only accuracy but also visual storytelling, giving artists the tools to create powerful viewpoints and dynamic compositions.<\/p>\n<p>Three-point perspective marks a significant step forward in the course, preparing students for even more complex drawing challenges while expanding their creative possibilities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">Materials<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Materials<\/h2>\n<p>White drawing paper, graphite pencil, eraser, ruler.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Resources<\/h2>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Download eBook<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Curriculum<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Course Curriculum<\/h2>\n<div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-introduction\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: Introduction (5:03)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-line\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: Line (14:25)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-shape\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: Shape (8:19)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-form\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: Form (13:00)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-value\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: Value (11:59)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-space\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 6: Space (6:13)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-one-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 7: One Point Perspective (12:58)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-two-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 8: Two Point Perspective (12:13)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-three-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculumselected\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 9: Three Point Perspective (10:27)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-basic-drawing-techniques\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 10: Basic Drawing Techniques (15:03)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-drawing-from-life\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 11: Drawing From Life (9:01)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-drawing-from-photos\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 12: Drawing From Photos (15:25)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-composition\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 13: Composition (12:20)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-graphite\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 14: Graphite (9:00)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-charcoal\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 15: Charcoal (10:32)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-drawing-with-ink\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 16: Ink (9:00)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-color\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 17: Color (14:28)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-colored-pencils\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 18: Colored Pencils (11:56)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-oil-pastels\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 19: Oil Pastels (11:51)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-soft-pastels\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 20: Soft Pastels (11:21)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-facial-proportions\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 21: Facial Proportions (13:56)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-the-eye\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 22: The Eye (14:05)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-the-nose-and-mouth\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 23: The Nose and Mouth (12:24)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-the-ear\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 24: The Ear (4:51)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-hair\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 25: Hair (14:02)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-basic-figure-drawing\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 26: Figure Drawing (20:00)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-foreshortening\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 27: Foreshortening (12:54)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-conclusion\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 28: Conclusion (2:58)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/mattauthor.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Fussell - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Matt Fussell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/admin\">Learn more about Matt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>25 Days to Better Drawings<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/25-days-to-better-drawings-course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/pencil-drawing-the-guide-to-graphite\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Guide to Graphite<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pencil-Drawing-The-Guide-To-Graphite-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/realistic-pencil-drawing\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Realistic Pencil Drawing<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Realistic-Pencil-Drawing-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Secrets to Drawing: Three Point Perspective Description Lesson Description Lesson Nine of The Secrets to Drawing Course takes students into the most dynamic and dramatic form of linear perspective: three-point perspective. While one-point and two-point perspective teach how to show depth and angled forms on the picture plane, three-point perspective introduces a third vanishing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-577","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=577"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45933,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/577\/revisions\/45933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}