1. How to Draw a Basic 3-D Box Using one-Point Perspective
Jacob M. Lightbody © 2015

2. Materials Needed:
1.) a blank sheet of paper 2.) a pencil (with a good eraser) 3.) a ruler

3. Background: Linear perspective was one of the most important scientific discoveries of the Italian Renaissance. The development of one-point perspective, a linear perspective technique using a single vanishing point, made it possible for artists to perfect the illusion of depth in their paintings.

4. Almost overnight, paintings went from looking like this… (This is a bit of hyperbole. Change was slow before computers came along.)

5. … to looking like this.

6. Notice that the lines all seem to converge at a single vanishing point
Notice that the lines all seem to converge at a single vanishing point. That’s how one-point perspective works!

7. Now it’s time for you to Learn this secret of the Renaissance!

8. Directions: Follow the step-by-step instructions
Directions: Follow the step-by-step instructions. Helpful Hint #1: Use Your ruler. Helpful Hint #2: Don’t make your lines too dark. (You’ll need to erase some of them.)

9. Imagine that this slide is your blank sheet of paper.

10. It is essential to make the line parallel to the
Draw a horizontal line running across the middle of the length of your paper. This will be your horizon line. (For this lesson, place the horizon line about a third of the way down from the top of your page.)
It is essential to make the line parallel to the
top and bottom of your paper.

11. Add a dot somewhere near the left end of your horizon line
Add a dot somewhere near the left end of your horizon line. This will be your vanishing point. (The vanishing point doesn’t always have to go there. However, for this lesson, things will be less confusing if we’re all starting from the same place.)

12. Draw a box below the horizon line to the right of your vanishing point
Draw a box below the horizon line to the right of your vanishing point. It doesn’t matter if the box is a square or a rectangle. However, it is important to make sure that the top and bottom of the box are parallel to the horizon line.

13. Draw a line connecting the vanishing point to the upper left corner of the box.

14. Now draw a line between the vanishing point and the bottom left corner of your box.

15. As you may have guessed, connect the upper right corner of the box to the vanishing point.

16. Draw a vertical line to the left of your initial box
Draw a vertical line to the left of your initial box. The line should be “sandwiched” between the two guidelines on the left.

17. Finish your 3-D box by adding a horizontal line like the one shown below. Make sure that the line is parallel to the horizon line and the horizontal lines of your box.
This is a step that many people have a hard time with. Double-check your line to make sure that it isn’t at an angle.

18. Take a moment to tidy up your lines.
Your box is now complete!

19. To Be Continued…