Expert: Stephen Major - 5/16/2007

Question
Hi!
I'm studying interior architecture and I'm wondering if maybe you know any websites with good/understandable guidelines for geometrical drawing? I have some difficulties understanding how to draw an object in perspective.
Itīs difficult knowing how and where to begin..
As you are an architect, I'm thinking this must be a part of your expertise =)
Sincerely,
Sophie

Answer
Sofie,

I learned perspective from a textbook and classroom practice.  There are plenty of such books still out there in any good library.  

If you did a thorough web search you may have found these links, which are pretty helpful:

http://www.khulsey.com/perspective_basics.html
http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Arts/drawings/PerspectiveDrawing/TwoPointPer...

And here's a book, but I don't know how good it is:
http://www.amazon.com/Perspective-Interior-Designers-John-Pile/dp/0823040089

The best advice I can give you is to sit down and start sketching once you know the basics.  This way you will see what works, what doesn't, and why.  You eye will be a pretty good judge, if you keep it honest.  

Also, try copying (not tracing) some good perspectives.  If you do interior work, try copying kitchen plans.  They are good to learn on because of all the rectangular solids.  Do a Google or Yahoo IMAGE search on "kitchen perspective".  Try to identify the artist's vanishing points, and then try to replicate their work.  Don't bother with surface details at first, just concentrate on getting the correct shapes down on paper.

If you are using a CAD program, you still need to understand the basics of perspective drawing by hand, to get great results out of the software.

Best of luck, and please let me know if you have additional questions.

--Steve Major