25 Days to Better Drawings: Two Point Perspective
Lesson Description
Lesson seventeen of the 25 Days to Better Drawings Course expands students’ understanding of perspective by introducing two-point perspective. Building on the concepts learned in the previous lesson on one-point perspective, this lesson focuses on creating the illusion of three-dimensional space using two distinct vanishing points. Two-point perspective is essential for depicting objects and structures viewed from an angle, making it especially useful in architectural drawing, interior spaces, and more dynamic compositions. In this lesson, students learn the principles behind this form of perspective and then apply them by creating a simple cityscape using graphite pencils on white drawing paper.
Understanding the Purpose of Two-Point Perspective
Matt begins by explaining why two-point perspective is such a valuable tool for artists. Whereas one-point perspective shows objects head-on, two-point perspective allows the viewer to see multiple sides of an object simultaneously. This makes drawings appear more realistic and three-dimensional. Most real-world scenes—streets, buildings, furniture, boxes—rarely align perfectly with the viewer’s gaze, making two-point perspective the most commonly used perspective system in drawing and design.
By learning two-point perspective, students gain the ability to place objects convincingly in space, manage angles, and portray depth even when forms are rotated relative to the viewer. Matt emphasizes that although the setup is slightly more complex than one-point perspective, the principles become easier to apply with practice.
The Horizon Line and Two Vanishing Points
The lesson continues with a review of the structural elements that define two-point perspective: the horizon line and the two vanishing points. The horizon line represents the viewer’s eye level, just as it did in the previous lesson. However, instead of a single vanishing point, students place two vanishing points far apart on the horizon line—often near the edges of the page.
Matt explains that each vanishing point controls a different set of parallel lines. Any lines defining the sides of buildings or other structures will recede toward one of these two points. This dual convergence creates the characteristic angled appearance of two-point perspective, where no face of a building is shown straight on.
Constructing the Basic Cityscape Framework
With the vanishing points established, the drawing process begins. Students lightly sketch a vertical line somewhere near the center of the page. This line becomes the corner of the first building. From the top and bottom of this vertical line, lines are drawn toward each vanishing point, creating the building’s receding sides. Matt guides students through this process slowly and clearly, showing how each stroke must connect back to one of the two vanishing points to maintain correct perspective.
Once the first building is established, more structures are added to expand the scene. Additional vertical lines create building corners, while the vanishing-point lines define their sides. As the cityscape grows, students begin to see a convincing sense of depth take shape. Matt encourages keeping the lines light at this stage so adjustments can be made as needed.
Adding Details to Buildings and Streets
After the major forms are in place, it’s time to add architectural details. Matt demonstrates how to place windows, doors, awnings, sidewalks, and street elements while maintaining the correct alignment toward the vanishing points. Windows on the right side of a building, for example, must follow the lines moving toward the right vanishing point, while those on the left must recede toward the left vanishing point.
Through these demonstrations, students learn how perspective informs every detail in a scene—not just the outlines of buildings. Even small features must follow the rules of perspective to maintain the illusion of depth and realism. Matt also emphasizes the importance of keeping vertical lines perfectly straight to preserve the stability of the structures.
Incorporating Shading for Dimensional Depth
With the cityscape fully drawn, students begin shading the scene using graphite pencils. Matt explains how choosing a consistent light source helps determine which sides of buildings should be light, mid-toned, or dark. Shading is applied to reinforce the sense of form and depth already established through the perspective lines.
Darker values often appear in the foreground or on surfaces opposite the light source, while lighter values recede or fall in illuminated areas. By carefully placing values and using smooth transitions, students add realism and clarity to the drawing. Shading also helps differentiate overlapping architectural elements, strengthening the overall composition.
Mastering Two-Point Perspective Through Practice
The lesson concludes with encouragement to practice two-point perspective regularly. Matt reminds students that perspective drawing is a skill built through repetition and observation. As students become more familiar with connecting lines to the correct vanishing points and balancing vertical and angled lines, their confidence grows. Lesson seventeen provides a structured introduction to the most widely used perspective system and prepares students for future artistic challenges while expanding their visual understanding of space.
Lesson Materials
Graphite drawing pencil, ruler, kneaded eraser (or any eraser) and white drawing paper.
Lesson Resources
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Course Curriculum
Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.
I attempted to make rounded objects (a flower pot and garbage can) with the two point perspective and struggled to get it to look correct. Are the vanishing point lines still used to do this?
Hi Brandy,
You may try creating a box using perspective and then draw the ellipses within the box. Here’s a little on how this can be accomplished…https://thevirtualinstructor.com/how-to-draw-an-ellipse.html
finished it.
You are such a fabulous instructor. Everything is always explained so clearly. Can you tell me how one would determine/draw the sidewalk cracks accurately (vs eyeballing) the narrowing of each width as they recede into the distance? I completed this entire assignment but for fun added some “ghost” buildings in the lower front R corner (so blocking out the trees so-to-speak) and one looks maybe not correct. Is there any way to send an image? Thank you so much!!!
The video is buffering. I see that the fix is to click on “Player” and take off HD. I don’t see “Player” anywhere. Can you help me with that?
Hi Patricia,
The player is what you are viewing the video through. There is a small gear icon that becomes visible when you scroll over the video with your mouse.
Thanks one course Matt , I’m learning a lot from your courses , but please I see the tree on the right is too big , I don’t think it should be that long , do you agree with me?
Hi Matt
Would you have any idea why my streaming from your site is continually interrupted for this course. Any other site works.
Thank you in advance,
Johanna
Hi Johanna,
The videos are presented in 1080p High Definition by default – some are presented in 4K. For some lessons, these files are very large and can cause buffering. If you are experiencing buffering (or the stopping of the video playing), you can change the quality settings. To do so, scroll over the video player with your mouse and click on the small gear icon in the lower corner. Choose a lower quality and the video should play without issue. Keep in mind, that right now during the virus isolation, internet service providers, websites and video hosting providers are very strained and in many areas, the connection to the internet is throttled or overloaded. This will also cause the videos to buffer.
Thank you Matt. this was helpful.
Thank you Matt for your swift and helpful reply.
Thank you so much for this course. It’s very helpful for me. Now I’m really struggling with the perspective. I can draw a street view or house in the woods etc according to video but yesterday and today I went out, sat in the park and tried to draw café tables outside on the street. The Cafe tables with coffee were the most important point of my drawing. As background there was a historical building and some trees. It was a disaster. I really didn’t know what to do,where to put my horizontal line and vanishing points. I tried a few variations, it never felt right. After some time I figured out the vanishing points should be outside the picture. So another problem, how to draw a city sketch, if I can not see the vanishing points.. I made two dots on my table, but it didn’t really work. After one hour I just gave up… The biggest problem was to figure on my own where to put vanishing points. If it is o it outside the picture, how can I drow lines? Thank you for your help.
This was a really good lesson I am learning loads that has in the past been my stumbling block!
I was able to keep up with this one because I had mastered yesterday’s lesson . These unprecedented times have a real positive as they are giving me the time to study even tho I am 60 in April, your never to old to learn Right !
Your lessons are so valuable!
In downloading the ebook , there are many of the drawings that are too light to show up in the perspective lessons
Two Point Perspective: what impacts how far apart the vanishing points should be on the horizon line? Does creating the impression of greater distance means the vanishing points are farther apart?
Presumably if the vanishing points are off the page then I should tape my paper down and create two stable vanishing points on the table. Thanks!
Hi Kathy,
It varies. If you place the vanishing points too close together, you will see distortion. In most cases, at least one vanishing point is off the picture plane as you describe.
Oh my. 2 point is so easy. Thanks for the lessons.
I’d post my pictures,unfortunately don’t know how or where to go to find out. Don’t want to waste my time trying to find out, rather draw and paint.
Thank you Matt for your time and effort in posting these Lessons. I have done the soft pastels,love them. Now on lesson 17 of better drawing in 25 days.
Matt, any resources available on how to determine accurately placed cast shadows?
Hi Marianne,
This lesson may help…https://thevirtualinstructor.com/how-to-draw-paint-cast-shadows.html
Hi Matt,
Can you tell me what type/brand of pencil you are using?
Hi Ann,
I am using a lead holder by Staedtler. You can use different grades of graphite within this holder.
Thank you!
The lines you are drawing seem much sharper/finer than mine. I will try yours!