Two Point Perspective: Draw Buildings, Rooms, Interiors  (2024)

Learning how to draw a two-point perspective will add so much depth to your scene. Read on to learn the step by steps to master it.

Two-point perspective is a linear perspective, which makes use of lines to create illustrations in a geometric, grid-like structure.

It is a part of the three linear perspectives used in drawing, one-point perspective, two-point perspective, and three-point perspective.

Two-point perspective makes use of two points on the horizon line and uses it to draw systematic box-like objects.

A Two Point Perspective presents two dimensions of recession and is widely used to showcase many points of view, making it ideal for architectural landscapes and portraits.

The parallel lines of the Two-point perspective converge on two vanishing points, giving an accurate overview of the perspective at hand.

By making use of this drawing method, you will see that there are two vanishing points which are represented with two convergence points, and are seemingly infinite distance away.

The Two-point perspective method has all geometric elements arranged parallel or perpendicular to one another converging on each vanishing point.

Other Topics to Help you Draw

• 14 Pro Tips on How to Draw Folds in Clothes
• 11 Things to Avoid in Learning How to Draw One-Point Perspective

What is linear perspective drawing?

A linear perspective drawing is a process of creating illusions of depth using a set of rules on a flat surface.

The lines are guided towards various vanishing points, and parallel lines receding into the distance in this form of drawing are seemingly getting closer to one another.

There are three essential components of Linear Perspective Drawing which are parallel lines, horizon lines, and a vanishing point. Similarly, the two-point perspective is a part of the linear perspective and follows the same pattern.

What is a two-point perspective?

A two-point perspective is a realistic drawing method and does not show any extreme low height or extreme high height.

This perspective is an ideal practice to draw still life objects and buildings that are in a distance when looking straight ahead at eye level.

The two-point perspective requires you to include your vanishing point at a distance from your main drawing, to give a realistic 3D impression on a flat surface.

The two-point perspective reflects realism which includes geometric objects and is often seen as the main method of linear perspective drawing.

It is most commonly used when the vertical edges of the objects are parallel to the canvas plane, with vertical lines being truly parallel to one another.

Two-point perspective is usually associated with the orientation of the elements.

Difference between one point and two-point perspective?

One-point perspective has all the lines which are not horizontal or vertical converging on a single point on the image.

Whereas, in the two-point perspective, all non-vertical lines precede two points of the same level at the border of the image.

In the one-point perspective, all the lines have a single vanishing point, and all parallel lines recede towards the horizon showcasing as a convergence point.

To understand better, imagine an image of the letter “V.” The drawing having a two-point perspective will have all non-vertical lines vanishing into two points, which is often located at the center of the artwork.

To summarize, both perspectives are used to showcase different three-dimensional drawings on a flat surface, and you can either choose a one-point perspective or a two-point perspective.

What does a vanishing point mean in art?

A vanishing point in paintings or point of convergence is a point in space that is to be the furthest from the viewer.

It is a fundamental concept of perspective drawing which is present in two-point perspective and is often the key element in most artworks.

Considering a linear perspective drawing, the vanishing point is the point on the horizon line on which the extended parallel lines are diminishing.

The role of a vanishing point in art is to help in creating drawings, shapes, photographs to have a three-dimensional appearance.

How do you draw a vanishing point?

For you to draw a vanishing point, you need to first establish the horizon line, which is often at eye level.

Then, following the line of sight, the object that is farthest away from you is to become the vanishing point on paper.

Similarly, in your perspective drawing, if you want the object of interest to be placed closer to the viewer, this is achieved by repositioning the vanishing point.

The vanishing point drawn is conceptually just an optical illusion which helps to emulate when an artwork is drawn. Without drawing a vanishing point, your two-point perspective drawing would be flat and lack depth.

How to draw buildings in two-point perspective step by step?

There are three simple steps required to draw a building with a two-point perspective, such as below:

1. Draw a vertical and horizontal line with 2 points on each line and then connect each point with a line.

2. Draw a line on both horizontal points and connect them to the vertical line.

3. Now you can make a line to form a building with the 2 point guideline earlier.

4. Make details on the building by creating multiple windows and several building shapes.

5. Erase the structural lines and you are done with building objects and you are done.

How to draw perspective from below?

To draw perspective from below the horizon line it is important to consider that as we move far away from the object, the effect of the perspective points upward.

The top portion of the structure is to be defined by the orthogonal lines extending from opposing vanishing points. Therefore, to draw the perspective from below, one would have to change the angle of view of the form.

This will cause one of the vanishing points to move nearer to the object while the other moves further away, allowing you to draw a two-point perspective from below.

1. Draw a horizontal line with 2 points on the right and left of the line.

2. Make several lines starting at 2 points to the bottom side on the horizontal line so that it forms an angle so that the object will be below the horizontal line.

3. make a line connection by making a thick line so that it forms an object.

4. make a detailed line on the object so that later it will form the object you want.

5. Erase the structural lines and you are done.

How to draw a two-point perspective cube?

To draw a two-point perspective cube, take the following steps:

1. Draw a vertical and horizontal line with 2 points on each line and then connect each point with a line.

2. Draw a line on both horizontal points and connect them to the vertical line.

3. You can make a line to form a Cube with the 2 point guideline earlier.

4. Make detailed lines on the cube shape.

5. Erase the structural lines and you are done.

How to draw a room from a two-point perspective?

To draw a two-point perspective room, take the following steps:

1. Draw a horizontal line with 2 points on the right and left of the line.

2. Make a line starting from 2 horizontal points to form a room.

3. make another line starting from 2 horizontal points to form interior accessories in the room.

4. Use thick lines to clarify the shape and interior of the room with the help of the previous line.

5. Erase the structural lines and you are done.

Final Takeaway

By now you must have a good understanding of what the two-point perspective is, and how it contributes to the artwork.

While your decision regarding different points would vary from setting to setting, or an image to image – it is important to know your ability to discern makes all the difference.

As long as you adhere to the basic principles and teachings of this article, your placement and sharpness of elements within the artwork will not be affected.