When to Use 1,2 or 3 Point Perspective How to Know

Do you struggle to translate perspective theory videos and diagrams into real life and know which ones are relevant? Let this video give you greater understanding of what's happening and how to understand it all.

[@joereed8872]

So basically, 1 point is camera is looking practically parallel to a face of a cube. 2 point is looking at an edge. And 3 point is looking at a vertex

[@stephentraversart]

Those viewing positions create that perspective in each case. 😀

[@hiramesensei3112]

parallel lines will always converge to a vanishing point unless they are also parallel to the viewing plane

[@sol9059]

@@hiramesensei3112 parallel lines NEVER meet each other, thats why they are parallel.

[@hiramesensei3112]

@@sol9059we are talking about perspective here man. the fact that parallel lines appear to converge to a vanishing point, is like, the most fundamental thing about it...

[@kaizze8777]

Notes: 1 Point: Looking STRAIGHT ON or slightly sideways, eye level is on the subject 2 Point: Looking from a CORNER on a subject, with both sides showing. 3 Point: Looking from CLOSE UP with eye level looking UP or DOWN on the subject. X, Y and Z axis form a TRIANGLE 4 Point: Looking from CLOSE UP, with ALL X, Y and Z axis showing (fish eye lens) Perspective lines are also warped to a curve I added 4th from the current lesson Im on with another course, I'm training myself to intuitively see these lines, Im a figure painter and character artist, so with characters its not as apparent as buildings hence I put in a "cheat sheet" above to summarize the EFFECT of the perspective in relation to the subject, this way its ALOT easier for me to understand for squishy subjects 😀 Thanks so much Stephen for your insightful video! Its very easy to take a step out of "lesson mode" to "real world mode" and completely get flabbergasted by all the complexity, you can look at a scen and it be 1 point, then looking DOWN on the SAME scene and all of a sudden its 3 !

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Kaizze. These are excellent points. I follow a few artists who create amazing fish eye distortions in their work. I’m boringly literal myself. 😆 If we draw what we see we don’t need to understand the ‘why’, but that’s no use if we’re drawing from imagination, as many do. Sounds like you have an excellent grasp on it all. Thanks for sharing this summary. 😀

[@harsimranjotsidhu9084]

😂

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

re-watching again and feeling still in the same place. I was looking at my garbage can from a close position and from on top. I was thinking is this one or two point perspective. I turned it around and around and could not figure it out. Why can't I get this? Is it 1 point only if you slightly see the side but really only the front? two if you see both sides only and not the front? Someone help me please I am obsessed and can't get it. for your point one how much of the side can one see and then it changes from 1 point to 2?

[@pinhead42]

@@applesauceandhoney2407 This was confusing me as well, but i think i undertstand it now. lets say the subject is a box, and if the front face of the box is parrelel with your eyes, then it is one point perspective, if you were to rotate that box, then it becomes two point perspective. So, lets say you are literally a box, and the box you are looking at is parrelel to you, meaning if you and the box were to kiss, the two boxes would be flat against eachother, then that is one point perspective. But if you were to rotate the box, meaning if you kissed the box, the corner of the box would be touching your flat face, then that is two point perspective. Hopefully that made sense lol

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

@@pinhead42 thank you for taking your time to help me Yes that makes sense

[@SaraStevensonArtist]

I just started watching your videos today, before I would think I got this ... then felt lost on what is going on. You clearly explain, and make sense of what occurs when looking a scene. Whether I’ve heard the rules before, I didn’t really hear them until now. Thanks for making it click & stick.

[@stephentraversart]

Such an encouraging comment to read Sara. Thank you, and all the best with your drawings. 😀

[@forthekingd0m444]

John3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[@Mia-pz5wb]

Hey sara js there to kn how is ur drawing going?

[@ectownsend1433]

This video helped me to finally understand that perspective is based on the orientation of the viewer to the object, not an inherent perspective in an image. I would try to draw two point perspective, but then an object in the scene would be in one point and I wouldn’t know what to do or vice versa. This has been extremely insightful, thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

So glad to have helped. So much is very unhelpfully left unsaid in so many perspective videos. All the best with your drawing 😀

[@lochrowley9997]

I never understood perspective, so I avoided it. Recently I was reading a book on carpentry that had a chapter on drafting (the book is from the 70s) which helped me realize most of what is taught to artists is a form a shorthand for more complex subjects. Well, when I was searching for examples that idea helped me trim the fat and find your channel, I'm very glad I did. serendipity's a wonderful thing.

[@RatusMax]

Some of the best perspective videos on YT. I still come back here to refresh and find something new on perspective.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Ratus, very kind of you to say. Please spread the word to your friends who draw. 😀

[@user-mt9xf1hg8g]

You have a fantastic way of bringing this explicitly and with patience. Thank you!!

[@stephentraversart]

How kind of you to say. Thanks 😀

[@ankita7766]

Thank you so much, sir! You really hit it on the head when you said that while watching learning videos, we might be able to understand but when it comes to practical application, we feel lost. I'm just starting to draw and I'm so glad I found your wonderful channel.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for sharing this Ankita. I’m glad you found my channel as well, and hope you get much benefit from it. 😀

[@OzWingChunFed]

I am a senior-aged returning drawer looking to enhance my retirement, I find your stuff really easy to understand, thanks.

[@stephentraversart]

Haha. From one senior to another. Really glad to help out. All the best with your drawing 😀

[@jmax8816]

I've been practicing perspective a lot lately and your videos are addressing basically every question I've had. thank you! you're a great teacher

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks. Please tell your friends for me. 😀

[@Wojtekstan]

This is the first time I've actually understood three point perspective. Thank you!!!

[@forareeb]

I've been trying to learn perspective uses since almost a week and I would say this video is the only one which absolutely cleared my mind! Thanks so much, Liked, Saved, Subscribed and Shared!

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Forareeb. Welcome to my Channel. Please tell your friends who draw if you find the videos helpful. 😀

[@forareeb]

@@stephentraversart I've already shared the video even before asking! ❤️

[@KaosNoKamisama]

Brilliant video. Finally someone explains the reasons for placing the vanishing point at one position and not another. I think this is the first time I see it being explained. The same goes for the existence and importance on the vertical "horizon" in the 3 point perspective. Thanks!

[@stephentraversart]

Always great to hear my videos have been helpful. All the best putting it into practice. 😀

[@klauspoetsch1841]

@@stephentraversart Yes, thanks for the"vertical eye level"!! I knew all the rest, but this helps in real life (or imagination) drawing. Also, the 3point explanation for close, big objects was helpful!

[@samucaeosmano9207]

I can express how good this is man thanks for this! Really helped me understand exactly what the title said

[@stephentraversart]

Glad to hear it! What I hoped for the video. 😀

[@DrawingFromImagination]

Very glad to see all of this perspective content from you lately, this is very helpful!

[@stephentraversart]

I have a perspective playlist that puts them all in one place if you’re interested Kyle. At some point you’ll realise you can’t draw wrong perspective even if you try!😆

[@aleadender1123]

You actually made me tear up.... I have been struggling with those exact things.... frustratingly trying to recreate an image in my creative mind; using reference drawings that are similar is helpful; but the genius comes from bringing MY image to life and many times it misses. Thank you so much for validating the source and offering a solution!

[@jeff0247598]

Well informed. Patiently explained. Great video!!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful!😀

[@lkogirl9869]

All your videos make so much sense!! Thankyou!

[@PaleBlueTHOT]

This is probably the most helpful video on drawing perpective that Ive seen. Thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear Jovan Really appreciate your telling me. I have some perspective playlists if you’re interested in more on this from me. 😀

[@Ledareen]

Thank you, dear Stephen for the brilliant explanation! That was really helpful!

[@khahoanhai]

Hi Stephen! I am a portrait artist who is finally branching out (after way too long), I've just found your channel and I just wanted to thank you for all the hard work you must put into your videos. I found this extremely helpful, thank you for including so many different example, this video is great for artists of all levels. I'm looking forward to learning more from you, and I hope you have a great day :)

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Emma for sharing this. So glad you’ve found my channel and it’s proving so useful for you. I appreciate your good wishes. 😀

[@nat298]

Thanks so much Stephen! This was my first question when watching videos on perspective and your explanations were very well worded.

[@stephentraversart]

Sometimes the most basic questions can go unanswered in videos. Glad this one was helpful to you Nat. 😀

[@Xucaboa]

This has really clarified some confusion I had. Thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

So encouraging to hear. Have fun with it all in your drawing

[@maritztq]

This is great !!!! I’ve watched so many videos about perspective and i was still so confused. Now I’m starting to understand thanks a lot, you are a lifesaver!

[@stephentraversart]

No problem. Check out my two perspective playlists if you want more on this. 😀

[@lkogirl9869]

Thanks for taking the time to do these videos! Finally things make so much sense

[@aahhaa7254]

I just did some studies on perspective but there were some things I was still confused about, you answered all my questions!!

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear. All the best with it. 😀

[@remiqremi6560]

The topic wonderfully explained. I have seen many recordings on the subject of perspective, but only this one has completed the few missing information for me. Thank you

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you Remiq for telling me this. It’s encouraging to find out. 😀

[@catherinele2260]

The things you said about how the pictures might not match the theory helped a lot! Sometimes I be looking at pictures to practice observing perspective, the lines wouldn’t match up and I would be so confused why.

[@stephentraversart]

A few of my most recent videos look at this issue more fully if you’re interested. Glad you found it help Catherine. 😀

[@satharthajam6662]

Stephen, once again many thanks for simplifying things, this time on Perspective . I can now see how one can break down complex architectural structures into blocks and join them all up. Your use of the lengthy coloured tapes to mark 1,2 & 3 Point Perspectives is pure genius , as I see it helps to isolate/breakdown the structure with all its complex details , into manageable blocks to put down on paper and finally link/join them up together to complete the picture. 💯💥👌👋

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Sathar. It’s great it was all so helpful. Hope you can incorporate it into your drawings. 😀

[@merfyn4838]

I just started drawing and this was super well elaborate. You save me weeks of research in less than 20 minutes. Amazing work😃

[@stephentraversart]

That’s great to hear Merfyn. I have a perspective playlist with about 50 perspective related videos on it if you’re interested. Happy drawing!😀

[@scrap6811]

Learned exactly the solutions to my problems while learning perspective! Thank you!!

[@stephentraversart]

Excellent! Glad to have helped. 😀

[@julieharris6457]

You’re an excellent instructor! Thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

You're very kind. Thank you 😀

[@sanderkesting]

I only just started drawing in pen and ink. Very essential stuff for credibly drawing buildings! Thanks a lot!

[@stephentraversart]

I have a couple of perspective playlists if you want some more details on drawing perspective. 😀

[@LovinLnCottage]

Masterfully done video! I hope people appreciate what an excellent teacher you are. 🙏☮️❤️🖖

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Sue Ellen. Kind of you to say. 😀

[@dianaholvik2554]

The best explanation of perspective(s) I've ever heard/seen. Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Diana. Please tell your friends as well for me. 😀

[@christophermaldonado5201]

This was a fantastic demonstration with real examples that I haven't been able to find elsewhere

[@stephentraversart]

Great you think so Christopher. Hope it helps your drawing journey. 😀

[@Angela-jy8um]

Amazing video! I found your red and yellow and green lines so so helpful!! So many examples was helpful too!

[@stephentraversart]

Haha. Thanks I never dreamed those cardboard strips would be so popular when I cut them out a few years ago!

[@mlgardn]

What an awesome instructor you are. I love watching your videos and I’ve learned so much.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Meryl. How kind of you. 😀

[@dentonhoyer383]

When photographing architecture with a view camera, the vertical vanishing point is reduced or eliminated in common practice. This is done by shifting the lens with respect to the film.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Denton. Haven’t heard of this before, but I think I get it. 😀

[@jenedraws]

Thank you thank you thank you so much for making this video. Learning the concepts and applying them to real life projects/situations is something I also struggle with, and this has been immensely helpful. I'd love to see this same info but applied to natural landscapes instead of buildings/cities.

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful!😀

[@Mia-pz5wb]

Hey jene js wanted to know how ur drawing skills going

[@jperry6779]

Thank you, Stephen. That helps a lot.

[@RamadanZiada]

Absolutely this video very much helpful... thanks a lot Mr. Stephen

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear Ramadan. Really appreciate it. 😀

[@DamienDrgv]

One of the Best vidéo of the perspective ! Very interesting to Take a photo and find the vanishing point!

[@stephentraversart]

Really encouraging to hear this Damien. It can be hard to know how helpful a particular topic will be to others, so it’s great to be told. 😀

[@milmundos]

This is the best video on the subject I've ever seen.

[@stephentraversart]

This is always encouraging to hear. Glad it was so helpful. Please tell your friends. Thanks 😀

[@evamellor1922]

Very clear explanation. Thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Eva. 😀

[@thulegend5534]

This vid is truly a life savior!! Thanks a bunch for giving such a clear instruction on this particular topic

[@stephentraversart]

Well, I’m very glad to have helped. Please tell your friends who draw. 😀

[@cindyli4304]

very helpful explanations and the little paper slips definitely make it easier to see what type of perspective it is. thank you 😊

[@stephentraversart]

Haha. Glad the little paper strips help. I’ll have to make some more, they’re getting a bit bendy! All the best. 😀

[@jazmarz]

Fantastic examples and explanations for each perspective. Thank you for sharing.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for letting me know 😀

[@yasmeentarq6405]

Thank you I found alot of information here which I was looking for

[@acolon4617]

Also of note from this photographer is that certain building shots can appear slightly out of natural proportion depending on the type or length of lens used as well as the camera. Professional photography software can correct the “skew” of buildings by correcting the perspective.

[@stephentraversart]

Why can’t photographers make it easy for artists?😩. Thanks for the info. 😀

[@stephencoles3664]

From one Stephen to another, thank you! I have a background in math and for some reason it took until your video for me to connect perspective with positions in 3D space and how you would view the coordinate planes. For me it clicked when I realized 1-point perspective is constrained to viewing along (or very nearby to) an axis, 2-point is any point along a plane, and 3-point is any point in 3D space which is why you have 2 horizon lines. I may have done a terrible job explaining my thoughts, but the point is I believe I can intuit what's trying to be explained by perspective now. 😅

[@stephentraversart]

Haha. Maths was my least favourite subject at school, but what you have written sounds like you’ve really connected it all very well with a more mathematical framing for understanding the world. Glad to have helped. 😀

[@user-kr8vi3hg7h]

Excellent! J'adore.

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you 😀

[@bor3db625]

Thanks so much for this video. I struggle with understanding how to apply perspective in my art so this was extremly helpful!

[@stephentraversart]

I always love hearing this. Thank for sharing 😀

[@alexmoore762]

SUPER HELPFUL thank you my good sir!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it helped Alex😀

[@giancarlonealmaru7303]

Thank you so much, you cure my blindness from your perspectives

[@stephentraversart]

Wonderful Giancarlo. 😀

[@Husqe2019]

Thank you for this video! It's very helpful.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for saying so😀

[@JanelleSchmidt-vt3cg]

Such good instruction! Thank you

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnwebb101]

understand perspective basics for the first time...well done very good video

[@stephentraversart]

Wow! Congratulations John and what a great comment to read. Can’t really get better for either of us!😆 Have fun with your drawing.

[@laurahtje]

Very helpful! Thanks for making this video!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful!

[@acrine]

Thank you SO much for this video! I FINALLY get it!

[@stephentraversart]

Congratulations 🎉 🎉🎉🎉🏆

[@efrainjesusuntiverospizzar4955]

i like it every time i watch your videos the more i learn,i liked the part when diferente perspective points meet,like the spire scene,it would b cool more videos like that when they meet

[@stephentraversart]

That’s what I want to hear Efrain, so thank you so much for telling me. Really appreciate it. All the best with your drawing. I have a video on drawing spires as well. 😀

[@user-if8bb5eq7p]

Thanks so much, Stephen!

[@stephentraversart]

Sure thing!😀

[@imvicodiaz]

Amazing Lesson thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad you liked it!

[@backtoskullart]

Thank you :) I needed so many various examples :)

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks. Sometimes examples make understanding easiest. 😀

[@pixiesmama8807]

Ur videos are incredibly helpful! Thank you for the time you put into teaching us 😊

[@stephentraversart]

You are so welcome!😀

[@dvidostr7184]

Wow, thank you for answering the question I had but didn't know how to ask! This helped so much with confusion

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks. I have a couple of perspective playlists if you’re interested. Some of them a big picture approach, others an alternative to the box/vanishing points theory diagrams. I think the ones on eye level are particularly helpful in clearing up/clarifying lots of perspective issues. All the best. 😀

[@Mamabear1138]

Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Mamabear 😀

[@hebamahmoud5263]

That was very helpful & it's clear now Thank you very much 🌼🌼🌼🌼

[@stephentraversart]

You're welcome 😊

[@jan_Wilo]

You are a seriously underrated artist on this platform!

[@stephentraversart]

That’s very generous and encouraging of you to say. Thanks 😀

[@rlopez7016]

Hi Stephen! I recently realized that I tend to draw in Birds Eye perspective so I started searching for other ways to Dra perspective and I came across your channel... You've got really helpful vids! I'd recommend it to any artists trying to improve their drawing skills - cheers!

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear. Thanks 😀

[@kls_drawffer]

Wow this video is really helpful! I didn't take into consideration the y axis eye level, although I can already tell where the horizontal eye level is, very glad that I watched this video lol thank you so much for this^^

[@stephentraversart]

Fantastic to hear Kristoffer. All the best with your drawing. 😀

[@disonaur9625]

You explained it so well, many perspectives tutorials couldn’t make me understand why there are many points. Thank you so much

[@stephentraversart]

Kind to say and great to hear. Thanks 😀

[@stephentraversart]

Always glad to help. Have fun drawing 😀

[@dmt7793]

Thank you so much for this clear explanation!! 🙏 ❤️

[@stephentraversart]

That’s always great to hear. Thanks Dani. 😀

[@drice9842]

So helpful....thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure 😀

[@mf3396]

You are a very good teacher

[@stephentraversart]

That’s very kind. Thanks 😀

[@AshofApocalypse]

Was trying to figure out how to get perspective to work with a drawing I was doing of some woods at a dramatic angle. This helped me figure it all out.

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear Ash. Well done 👏👏

[@JoseasArt]

Great breakdown, good sir. You helped an aspiring comic book artist today! 😅 Earned my sub for sure!

[@stephentraversart]

So pleased to hear this Jose. All the best with the comic book artist career. 😀

[@rajadurai1356]

Learnt more new things about perspective, and each view of a perspective is fascinating !!! Good video sir

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear. Thanks 😀

[@jdhartman100]

Wow…. I’ve been trying to sort perspective out and voila I came across this video!! Thank you!!😊

[@stephentraversart]

Great! I have a few perspective playlists if you’re interested in more. Here’s a link: kzbin.info/aero/PLwjv2r1KZs1QXGGxk-0imNAVOIC74LDp1

[@alexm-tattoo]

Was so helpful thank you sir 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@stephentraversart]

Excellent 😀

[@jaydeepsingh7226]

Thank You for uploading your work. It is really helpful and quite practical.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Jaydeep. My pleasure 😀

[@saymyname3097]

Thank you Stephen. Makes good sense. I've been having problems with this.

[@stephentraversart]

Then I’m glad it helped. All the best. 😀

[@jayantsingh7592]

Thank you for the practical presentation of perspective.

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Jayant. 😀

[@MandaPanda254]

This was a wonderful explanation, thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Manda

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

"Sometimes we're very high..." So true. I've been drawing 3-point perspective for the last few months and I noticed you can't have a flat plane perpendicular to your sight line directly in front of you. Just the corner. Also from 2-point up, the view gets more distorted until you are in shiny ball in MC Escher's hand (6-point). Vanishing Point was a great 70's movie.

[@shirosflower]

So fab thanks!!!! ❤❤

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Coni 😀

[@nurulcahyani8503]

your videos was very helpful 👍🏻👍🏻

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear Nurul. Thank you. 😀

[@gabriellebullock5344]

Wonderful content, this really helped me

[@stephentraversart]

Glad to hear it! Thanks 😀

[@wienart1496]

Waww amazing art good luck my friends

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for that. 😀

[@mannyespinola9228]

Thank you for this video

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Manny. Appreciate this. 😀

[@Authorityoneverything]

This really helped me I was really having a hard time with grasping these the coconcepts of perspective

[@stephentraversart]

Fantastic. Glad to have helped.

[@Nettle314]

Thank you! Great video!

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear. Thanks 😀

[@rayvirgoe7231]

Gotcha, thank you very much!

[@stephentraversart]

No problem Ray. All the best with your drawing. 😀

[@marnierose5361]

Learnt more from this video than paid classes, thank you😊

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks. That’s very satisfying to hear. 😀

[@marnierose5361]

@@stephentraversart the hardest thing I find as a beginner is where to start, there is so much information on the net, and classes teach you to draw apples, a literal video series from 1 on would be so helpful to follow a process of learning, even if it included book readings, even a pay subscription it would so be worth it to have a clear start and progression, I live in Australia but even finding in person classes that have a steady progression are non existent. Hope as a creator it helps to hear from a newbie. Thank you for amazing content 🙏

[@f1remandg]

Yet again very good and also the point of Photography as a reference, to what is actually seen with our eyes as opposed to the camera that exaggerates the perspective or converging verticals that can lend itself or detract from the photo, dependant on what you are trying to achieve, I used it along with very threatening Sophie’s and high contrast on a photo of Church in Le Manns that people often say looks spooky!

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for sharing David😀

[@paulachammas8908]

Very informative! Thank you!😊

[@stephentraversart]

Glad you found it so Paula.

[@InternetPirate7]

Thank you. This was really helpful and easy to understand

[@stephentraversart]

Fantastic. Perspective is sometimes about just hearing it differently. 😀

[@melissakidd9624]

I am ecstatic this came across my feed! Well done!

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Melissa. I have a few perspective playlists

[@melissakidd9624]

I got to opportunity to see them all. Thanks so much for all the effort you put into them. It helps me so much! @@stephentraversart

[@lw8281]

Thank you for a clear explanation.

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure. Glad it helped 😀

[@Moujik6540]

Very good video

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks 😀