How to Recognise Perspective Theory in Real-Life Situations

Frustrated because you think you understand perspective videos but then can't see how they relate to the real scenes you see and draw? These seven scenes give very practical example to the things perspective videos often don't tell you, that will let you really understand how they apply.

[@borleyboo5613]

I think I may need to watch this more than once because I’m very, very easily confused. But I can see it is a very good explanation of perspective. Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

This is probably a good one to rewatch Borly. Seeing perspective in real life is an important skill to learn. 😀

[@sarahyip2825]

Non paralelled structures! No wonder! This tutorial is worth years of Art school I'm sure. What a real treat this is. A real service to all beginners like me. Many thanks!

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Sarah. Yes, I don’t understand how so many perspective videos have been so unhelpful for so long. 😀

[@kimwalwer9049]

Mind blown, this is the best explanation that I have ever encountered. It explains so much, and why I have encountered so many problems!

[@stephentraversart]

Well, this is great to read Kim for you and me! Please help me as well by telling your friends about my channel. I hope this new understanding really pushes your drawing improvement along. Perspective is not so hard, it’s just that so much is left out of videos without telling us. 😀

[@libbysmithstudio]

I'm a professional artist, and this is the best explanation of perspective I've ever seen. Thank you! ❤ Following!!!

[@stephentraversart]

Welcome aboard Libby. I’m encouraged you found it so helpful. 😀

[@egarrafr3295]

the best video about perspective i've seen on KZbin, so well explained ! Thank you ^^ Thats a instant sub

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for this encouragement. All the best with your drawing. 😀

[@NoCopes]

I really appreciate you channel. Thank you for the nuanced topics you cover. I've never seen or very rarely see someone cover the issue with applying perspective into life like drawings. I just saw your video on the scottish street and the different vanishing points the different buildings had, it was very helpful. Thanks

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Riauusk. I hope that because I’m a drawing artist myself it helps me know the questions drawing artists are wanting to know. The video I did after this one looks at some unusual scenes and shows how they still obey perspective theory, even though at first glance they appear not to, if you’re interested. 😀

[@NoCopes]

@@stephentraversart will definitely check it out 👍

[@mingyzhang]

Amazing explanations. I see simplicity in the complex structures now. Thank you sir.

[@stephentraversart]

Exactly what I was hoping for from the video. Thanks for telling me. 😀

[@eugenetswong]

I appreciate this, because walking us through great examples really helps a lot. Thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

I’m glad it was helpful for you. 😀

[@mayaraqueiroz1849]

Perfect as usual, mr. Travers☺ Thank you for the video♥

[@stephentraversart]

I’m not ever perfect I’m afraid, but I appreciate the generous comment Mayara. 😀

[@digitalnomadsjournal8393]

I follow your channel with interest. It is very educational. In this specific video the chosen photos tend to confuse more than clarify the ideas you what to convey. An intellectual indigestion may be avoided if you choose less cases, use level ground examples when dealing with the eye level principle, move the cámara a bit further away to appreciate the multiple vanishing points … etc. Thanks

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for your thoughts. Perhaps in the video I didn’t make it’s context clear. It’s not meant to be a video explaining what eye level is. I have 4-5 videos already on that. This is about looking at scenes where the traditional, simplified perspective theory diagrams don’t appear to apply, but which are the very scenes we often want to draw. So by definition they are not going to be ‘eye level on the ground’ examples. What I am wanting to illustrate is how the basic principles DO still apply even in complex scenes, once you learn to interpret them adequately. So again, numerous illustrations to demonstrate a range of very different scenarios to show that the principles apply in each one, I think is necessary. Does this make my intent clearer? Perhaps the title would have been more appropriate if it were something like, ’Applying perspective when it doesn’t seem to apply’.

[@vickisigh2674]

thank you so much for your series on perspective. i've been in and out of understanding this subject and always find it hardest when trying to apply the rules to a drawing or photo reference. thank you for taking the time to break these challenging lessons down into digestible bits.

[@vickisigh2674]

it's mind blowing that i've never learned until now that the horizon line can be skewed and isn't always perfectly flat.

[@vickisigh2674]

also the fact that objects only meet at the same vanishing point if they are parallel to each other. that a single scene has the same eye level, but multiple vanishing points depending on the angles of the objects. i'm surprised that something this important has never been mentioned in any other perspective video i've watched.

[@stephentraversart]

No problem. I like to make things as practical as I can. 😀

[@stephentraversart]

I am surprised as well. But that’s how it seems to be. 😀

[@stephentraversart]

The line where the vanishing points meet on are is flat and horizontal. But the line where the land meets the sky need not be, and need not be in the same place. That’s why I use eye level for this line in perspective. 😀

[@Nopantsudansu]

Your videos are very helpful! 😊 and I know you work a lot from reference, but I was wondering if there is a chance you'll do videos on things that make a landscape identifiable? Let's say im trying to draw a scene of a street that's in New York from imagination without using an actual street or being in front of a major landmark? And even though i have videos and pictures to look at, I'm unsure what makes new york look like new york. Or any specific area.What details should i look for and implement? Like a palm tree on the sidewalk is normal in California but would be out of place in New york city street ( as far as I'm aware lol)I'm unsure of what else to look for. For example a street in your hometown? Let's say if you were to add a street from imagination, what details would you draw that'd make you say "yup that's definitely a street Sydney and not france" (do I have to learn the history of architecture?? 😅)sorry this is so long and I hope it makes sense again thank you for the videos buildings and landscapes have always been intimidating but your make them not as scary lol

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Nomico. I must say I’ve never thought about this, but it would be a challenge. If I had to, I’d gather as many photos as possible that I felt had the feel of the city I wanted to capture, and then try and work out exactly which architecture elements were in the photos. This includes size and height, domes, towers, skyline features. Hope this helps. 😀

[@Nopantsudansu]

@@stephentraversart Thanks for the reply!

[@lowellfranga6844]

No point in telling you how wonderful and informative this video is since I would just be echoing all the comments below. Any chance you can post the photos you used? I had a look in the Community and was not able to find them. Great stuff!

[@janesoncanvas8337]

EXCELLENT!!! THank you!

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Jane 😀

[@InfinitaGioiaPatCHesall]

So helpful…Thank you 😊

[@stephentraversart]

So great to hear Pat. Thanks 😀

[@davidwang3222]

It’s 2.27 am I am still watching your channel in Sydney ! Thanks for your excellent work which solved some of my problems . Again , when you draw these buildings in the photo,you did not draw the these perspective lines first right ? you use your pen to measure the direction and the angle of the streets, windows, walls etc.

[@stephentraversart]

Oh goodness David, you need to get some sleep!😀. I’m glad though you find the videos so helpful. When I draw directly in ink, I don’t draw perspective guidelines. It’s a combination of measuring angles and judging by eye. Now, an early night tonight. 😆

[@yancowles]

Great video as ever Stephen but I think the good folk of Whitby might take issue with your description of it as a 'village'.

[@stephentraversart]

Oh dear. You are right of course. We did also visit Robin Hood Bay, so I’m probably combining my memories a bit, but we did stay in a very old part of town just at the bottom of the hill the Abbey sits on. I’m probably also thinking it had a village-like feel in the narrow bustling streets we saw. I use quite a few scenes from Whitby in my drawing, so I certainly don’t want to offend the good folk there. Indeed, I might want to go back to that beautiful place again some day. 😀

[@marest]

Again much learned. 😊 curves ...

[@stephentraversart]

I love to hear this. Thanks Marest 😀

[@cindylong2782]

Good morning!

[@stephentraversart]

It’s evening for me. 😀