Page 1
17
PEOPLE IN PLACES
INTRODUCTION TO PERSPECTIVE
others appear three-dimensional as though they are popping out of the
surface. Have you wondered how this happens?
Perspective is the technique of showing three-dimensional space on a
two-dimensional surface. It creates an illusion of distance and depth,
where things that are closer, appear bigger and have more details than
those that are further away. You can create this magic with practice, by
keenly observing the views in front of you.
Look at the pictures below.
Although the lines on either
side of the road are parallel,
they appear to converge in the
distance. You would see the
same on railway tracks too.
Observe
? The horizon line aligns
with the eye level of the
viewer.
? The lines converge at a
vanishing point, which is
also at the eye level.
Paintings and drawings have the power to
transport you to other worlds. Some appear
two-dimensional and entice you with the beauty
of lines, patterns, colours and textures. Some
Vanishing point
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
CH-17_VA.indd 186 CH-17_VA.indd 186 27-06-2025 11:22:01 27-06-2025 11:22:01
Page 2
17
PEOPLE IN PLACES
INTRODUCTION TO PERSPECTIVE
others appear three-dimensional as though they are popping out of the
surface. Have you wondered how this happens?
Perspective is the technique of showing three-dimensional space on a
two-dimensional surface. It creates an illusion of distance and depth,
where things that are closer, appear bigger and have more details than
those that are further away. You can create this magic with practice, by
keenly observing the views in front of you.
Look at the pictures below.
Although the lines on either
side of the road are parallel,
they appear to converge in the
distance. You would see the
same on railway tracks too.
Observe
? The horizon line aligns
with the eye level of the
viewer.
? The lines converge at a
vanishing point, which is
also at the eye level.
Paintings and drawings have the power to
transport you to other worlds. Some appear
two-dimensional and entice you with the beauty
of lines, patterns, colours and textures. Some
Vanishing point
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
CH-17_VA.indd 186 CH-17_VA.indd 186 27-06-2025 11:22:01 27-06-2025 11:22:01
187 | PEOPLE IN PLACES
In order to visualise how the lines
appear when seen in perspective —
? Visualise your eyeball as a circle with
its centre as the vanishing point.
? Imagine the horizontal line across
the centre of eye as the horizon line.
? Imagine other lines radiating from
the centre in di??erent directions.
To draw in perspective, three things
are important —
1. Identifying the horizon line at eye
level in the scene.
2. Visualising the vanishing point.
3. Observing the angle of lines that
converge at the vanishing point.
Perspective can help you observe,
and draw buildings and architectural
monuments in a way that looks realistic.
Take the example of the image printed on
the 100 rupee note.
Notice how the lines of the upper and
lower storeys of the stepwell appear to
converge at the vanishing point.
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Rani ki Vav Stepwell in Patan, Gujarat
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
CH-17_VA.indd 187 CH-17_VA.indd 187 30-06-2025 14:52:37 30-06-2025 14:52:37
Page 3
17
PEOPLE IN PLACES
INTRODUCTION TO PERSPECTIVE
others appear three-dimensional as though they are popping out of the
surface. Have you wondered how this happens?
Perspective is the technique of showing three-dimensional space on a
two-dimensional surface. It creates an illusion of distance and depth,
where things that are closer, appear bigger and have more details than
those that are further away. You can create this magic with practice, by
keenly observing the views in front of you.
Look at the pictures below.
Although the lines on either
side of the road are parallel,
they appear to converge in the
distance. You would see the
same on railway tracks too.
Observe
? The horizon line aligns
with the eye level of the
viewer.
? The lines converge at a
vanishing point, which is
also at the eye level.
Paintings and drawings have the power to
transport you to other worlds. Some appear
two-dimensional and entice you with the beauty
of lines, patterns, colours and textures. Some
Vanishing point
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
CH-17_VA.indd 186 CH-17_VA.indd 186 27-06-2025 11:22:01 27-06-2025 11:22:01
187 | PEOPLE IN PLACES
In order to visualise how the lines
appear when seen in perspective —
? Visualise your eyeball as a circle with
its centre as the vanishing point.
? Imagine the horizontal line across
the centre of eye as the horizon line.
? Imagine other lines radiating from
the centre in di??erent directions.
To draw in perspective, three things
are important —
1. Identifying the horizon line at eye
level in the scene.
2. Visualising the vanishing point.
3. Observing the angle of lines that
converge at the vanishing point.
Perspective can help you observe,
and draw buildings and architectural
monuments in a way that looks realistic.
Take the example of the image printed on
the 100 rupee note.
Notice how the lines of the upper and
lower storeys of the stepwell appear to
converge at the vanishing point.
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Rani ki Vav Stepwell in Patan, Gujarat
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
CH-17_VA.indd 187 CH-17_VA.indd 187 30-06-2025 14:52:37 30-06-2025 14:52:37
188 | Kriti
Similarly, observe the lines converging at the
vanishing point in other photographs of building
interiors.
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Vanishing point
Wall
Wall
Ceiling
Floor
Wall
Once you learn and understand the principles of
perspective drawing, you will ??nd it easy to draw
simple objects from di??erent angles.
CH-17_VA.indd 188 CH-17_VA.indd 188 27-06-2025 11:22:03 27-06-2025 11:22:03
Page 4
17
PEOPLE IN PLACES
INTRODUCTION TO PERSPECTIVE
others appear three-dimensional as though they are popping out of the
surface. Have you wondered how this happens?
Perspective is the technique of showing three-dimensional space on a
two-dimensional surface. It creates an illusion of distance and depth,
where things that are closer, appear bigger and have more details than
those that are further away. You can create this magic with practice, by
keenly observing the views in front of you.
Look at the pictures below.
Although the lines on either
side of the road are parallel,
they appear to converge in the
distance. You would see the
same on railway tracks too.
Observe
? The horizon line aligns
with the eye level of the
viewer.
? The lines converge at a
vanishing point, which is
also at the eye level.
Paintings and drawings have the power to
transport you to other worlds. Some appear
two-dimensional and entice you with the beauty
of lines, patterns, colours and textures. Some
Vanishing point
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
CH-17_VA.indd 186 CH-17_VA.indd 186 27-06-2025 11:22:01 27-06-2025 11:22:01
187 | PEOPLE IN PLACES
In order to visualise how the lines
appear when seen in perspective —
? Visualise your eyeball as a circle with
its centre as the vanishing point.
? Imagine the horizontal line across
the centre of eye as the horizon line.
? Imagine other lines radiating from
the centre in di??erent directions.
To draw in perspective, three things
are important —
1. Identifying the horizon line at eye
level in the scene.
2. Visualising the vanishing point.
3. Observing the angle of lines that
converge at the vanishing point.
Perspective can help you observe,
and draw buildings and architectural
monuments in a way that looks realistic.
Take the example of the image printed on
the 100 rupee note.
Notice how the lines of the upper and
lower storeys of the stepwell appear to
converge at the vanishing point.
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Rani ki Vav Stepwell in Patan, Gujarat
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
CH-17_VA.indd 187 CH-17_VA.indd 187 30-06-2025 14:52:37 30-06-2025 14:52:37
188 | Kriti
Similarly, observe the lines converging at the
vanishing point in other photographs of building
interiors.
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Vanishing point
Wall
Wall
Ceiling
Floor
Wall
Once you learn and understand the principles of
perspective drawing, you will ??nd it easy to draw
simple objects from di??erent angles.
CH-17_VA.indd 188 CH-17_VA.indd 188 27-06-2025 11:22:03 27-06-2025 11:22:03
189 | PEOPLE IN PLACES
ACTIVITY 17.1: MAKE
A VIEWING GRID
Materials: Unusued or
discarded transparent sheet
measuring scale, ball point
pen or permanent marker, and
scissors
Procedure:
? Cut the transparent sheet of
A4 size.
? Use a measuring scale and
mark the grid with a ball point
pen or permanent marker as
shown in the photo. This will
be your viewing grid.
? Look at your surroundings
through the viewing grid.
Hold it straight and still,
during the process.
? Align the horizon line on the
grid with your eye level.
Illustration of a table from di??erent perspectives
CH-17_VA.indd 189 CH-17_VA.indd 189 30-06-2025 14:52:54 30-06-2025 14:52:54
Page 5
17
PEOPLE IN PLACES
INTRODUCTION TO PERSPECTIVE
others appear three-dimensional as though they are popping out of the
surface. Have you wondered how this happens?
Perspective is the technique of showing three-dimensional space on a
two-dimensional surface. It creates an illusion of distance and depth,
where things that are closer, appear bigger and have more details than
those that are further away. You can create this magic with practice, by
keenly observing the views in front of you.
Look at the pictures below.
Although the lines on either
side of the road are parallel,
they appear to converge in the
distance. You would see the
same on railway tracks too.
Observe
? The horizon line aligns
with the eye level of the
viewer.
? The lines converge at a
vanishing point, which is
also at the eye level.
Paintings and drawings have the power to
transport you to other worlds. Some appear
two-dimensional and entice you with the beauty
of lines, patterns, colours and textures. Some
Vanishing point
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
CH-17_VA.indd 186 CH-17_VA.indd 186 27-06-2025 11:22:01 27-06-2025 11:22:01
187 | PEOPLE IN PLACES
In order to visualise how the lines
appear when seen in perspective —
? Visualise your eyeball as a circle with
its centre as the vanishing point.
? Imagine the horizontal line across
the centre of eye as the horizon line.
? Imagine other lines radiating from
the centre in di??erent directions.
To draw in perspective, three things
are important —
1. Identifying the horizon line at eye
level in the scene.
2. Visualising the vanishing point.
3. Observing the angle of lines that
converge at the vanishing point.
Perspective can help you observe,
and draw buildings and architectural
monuments in a way that looks realistic.
Take the example of the image printed on
the 100 rupee note.
Notice how the lines of the upper and
lower storeys of the stepwell appear to
converge at the vanishing point.
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Rani ki Vav Stepwell in Patan, Gujarat
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
CH-17_VA.indd 187 CH-17_VA.indd 187 30-06-2025 14:52:37 30-06-2025 14:52:37
188 | Kriti
Similarly, observe the lines converging at the
vanishing point in other photographs of building
interiors.
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Above eye level
Below eye level
Eye level
Vanishing point
Wall
Wall
Ceiling
Floor
Wall
Once you learn and understand the principles of
perspective drawing, you will ??nd it easy to draw
simple objects from di??erent angles.
CH-17_VA.indd 188 CH-17_VA.indd 188 27-06-2025 11:22:03 27-06-2025 11:22:03
189 | PEOPLE IN PLACES
ACTIVITY 17.1: MAKE
A VIEWING GRID
Materials: Unusued or
discarded transparent sheet
measuring scale, ball point
pen or permanent marker, and
scissors
Procedure:
? Cut the transparent sheet of
A4 size.
? Use a measuring scale and
mark the grid with a ball point
pen or permanent marker as
shown in the photo. This will
be your viewing grid.
? Look at your surroundings
through the viewing grid.
Hold it straight and still,
during the process.
? Align the horizon line on the
grid with your eye level.
Illustration of a table from di??erent perspectives
CH-17_VA.indd 189 CH-17_VA.indd 189 30-06-2025 14:52:54 30-06-2025 14:52:54
190 | Kriti
? As you look at the scene through the grid, ??nd
lines that align with the horizon line.
? Observe the other lines and the shapes of objects
in relation to the lines and squares on the viewing
grid.
? Compare the angle of lines in objects that are
near with those that are far.
? Choose a scene that you want to draw.
? Replicate what you see through the transparent
sheet on your drawing paper.
You can use the same viewing grid to draw
di??erent scenes to show perspective. With more
practice, you will be able to draw without a viewing
grid.
Look at the scene through the grid
Replicate what you see through the transparent sheet
on your drawing paper
CH-17_VA.indd 190 CH-17_VA.indd 190 27-06-2025 11:22:06 27-06-2025 11:22:06
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