perspective architecture

A Simple Trick for Creating Perfect Perspective Sketches

All you need is a length of thin, elastic string and a paper clip.

Paul Keskeys Paul Keskeys

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The two-point perspective has long been a favorite among architects looking to communicate complex three-dimensional ideas to clients within a single drawing. It can be a time-consuming drawing type to master, though, with dozens of projection lines needed to ensure each edge is accurately directed back toward vanishing points on either side of the paper.

Fear no more — this ingenious GIF shows just how easy it can be to create a convincing perspective for this year’s One Drawing Challenge:

Via @architectdrw

When doing preliminary sketches for your design, these lines don’t need to be perfectly straight, but for the sketch to look convincing, they still need to align with those points on the horizon line. Foregoing the need for countless ruled lines, the above technique works brilliantly for creating quick perspectives for clients meetings or illustrating your initial concepts to your professor at university.

To emulate this trick, all you need apart from pencil and paper is a length of thin, elastic string and a paper clip. The elasticity of the string is crucial to ensure that it remains taut as you slide the bent paper clip back and forth — the video below shows you the same technique in real time:

For more in-depth features on architectural drawings, check out this set of sensational sections from throughout history, and this collection of striking axonometric projections.

Have you completed a project that captures the essence of its locale while addressing global concerns? If so, Architizer's A+Awards is your platform. Enter now for a chance to have your work featured in print and online.

 

Paul Keskeys Author: Paul Keskeys
Paul Keskeys is Editor in Chief at Architizer. An architect-trained editor, writer and content creator, Paul graduated from UCL and the University of Edinburgh, gaining an MArch in Architectural Design with distinction. Paul has spoken about the art of architecture and storytelling at many national industry events, including AIANY, NeoCon, KBIS, the Future NOW Symposium, the Young Architect Conference and NYCxDesign. As well as hundreds of editorial publications on Architizer, Paul has also had features published in Architectural Digest, PIN—UP Magazine, Archinect, Aesthetica Magazine and PUBLIC Journal.
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