When it comes to working with linear perspective, the concept of “perspective center” is one of the most valuable tools to understand. Whether you’re working with elaborate, detailed drawings, or just need a quick tool for rough sketches, having an awareness of perspective center is helpful in a variety of ways. Let’s take a look at what it is, and how it’s useful.
If you are new to working with linear perspective, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding. Here are some helpful resources to get you started:
Read this Article: Beginner Drawing: Linear Perspective: The Basics
Take this Online Course: Perspective Drawing: Understand Linear Perspective
Practice with this Book: Perspective, by William F. Powell
What is Perspective Center?
Let’s begin with a simple, 2-dimensional rectangle, drawn without any use of linear perspective. There are two ways to find its center:
Approach #1: Measure the midpoints of each side and use lines to connect the points opposite one another. The intersection of these lines marks the center of the rectangle.
Approach #2: Use diagonal lines to connect opposing corners. The intersection of these diagonal lines indicates the center of the rectangle without the need to measure.
Now use the same approach to a rectangle drawn in perspective:
Approach #1: Use a ruler to measure the midpoints of each side, connect the points on opposing sides, and mark the center.
Approach #2: Connect opposing corners with diagonal lines to indicate the center at the point of intersection.
When using approach #1, notice how it feels “off”? When we recognize the rectangle as receding, we interpret the center of the rectangle as being too far forward. We intuitively understand that the scale of objects gets smaller as they recede, so the back half of the rectangle should be smaller than the front half.
Using approach #2 appears more correct. It shifts the center of the rectangle back into space so that it appears more correct. We call this “Perspective Center” because it marks the center of the rectangle that is consistent with the perspective of the shape within its environment.
Why is it Useful?
Locating the center of a plane, as drawn in perspective, comes in handy more than you might expect. Here are three common applications
1. Architecture
- Use Perspective Center to accurately place the peak of a gabled roof, using a simple vertical line extended from the center of the plane.
- Accurately place windows, doors and other architectural elements. Use this process to divide a plane into increasingly smaller sections. First divide a plane in half, then quarters, and eighths, etc.
2. Repeating Elements
Repeating elements, like fence posts, telephone poles and floor tiles can be challenging. Here are a couple of ways you can address these types of elements. Let’s use a line of fence posts as an example.
When you know where the first and last fence posts are placed, place them on the page with orthogonal lines to align the tops and bottoms of the posts. This creates a rectangle that can be first divided into half, then quarters, eighths, etc., with each intersection point indicating the placement of a fence post.
When the first two posts are established and the goal is to repeat that spacing into the distance, follow these steps:
- Space the first two posts with the desired spacing.
- Use orthogonals extending from the top and bottom of the first post to the vanishing point. These orthogonals will mark the baseline and height of each post. (see red lines in the image below)
- Divide the first post in half, and place an orthogonal from that midpoint to the vanishing point. This now indicates the center line of each post.
- Mark a diagonal line that originates from the bottom of the first post, passes through the midpoint of the second post, and continues to the upper orthogonal. (see cyan lines in the image below)
- The intersection of this diagonal with the upper orthogonal indicates the placement of the third post, which can be drawn as a vertical line. (see yellow lines in the image below)
- Repeat this process by moving from one post to the next. Use a diagonal line from the base of post #2, pass it through the middle of post #3, and place post #4 where it intersects with the upper diagonal.
3. Natural Elements
Organic, natural elements—clouds, large rock faces, forests, etc.—can benefit from this strategy as well, even though they might not be geometric in nature or feature regularly spaced elements. Even a rough understanding of the center of a form can help to visualize the scale of your marks or placement of smaller forms in a way that’s consistent with linear perspective. Create a rectangular boundary around the form and follow the steps above to indicate the rough placement of the center of the form. While this may not be entirely accurate, it can serve as an aid to your understanding of the larger complex form.
Practice
Take time to practice this process and gain an intuitive understanding of perspective center. With any subject drawn in perspective, whether it’s highly accurate or a rough impression, having an awareness of the center of an object can help you control the space of your work.
About the Artist
Scott Maier is an artist, instructor, and a content contributor to artistsnetwork.com. He’s an adjunct instructor at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, as well as the author of these instructional art books:
See, Think, Draw: An Easy Guide for Realistic Drawing and Beyond.
The Little Book of Oil Painting Secrets
The Field Guide to Landscape Painting (on pre-order)
Source: Artists Network
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