How to Teach Perspective

Teaching perspective can be tricky but here’s some quick tips and lesson ideas on how to teach perspective and have your students succeed.

How to teach perspective

When I teach perspective lessons, I like to begin by showing a video tutorial. There is a link below to my YouTube videos about perspective, or search YouTube for a tutorial on that meets your needs. I talk the students through the steps and explain the process. I feel it is important for them to see the big picture before drawing themselves. Next, I do a guided drawing. The students follow along with me step by step as we connect squares, rectangles and circles to the vanishing point. In addition, I will ask students to walk me through the steps to check for understanding. Finally, I use a worksheet I have created and have the student complete the worksheet independently. During this time I walk around and assist students who still need one-on-one instruction.

Who should learn one point perspective

I believe perspective lessons should be taught starting in 3rd grade and on. I like to scaffold my perspective lessons. When teaching 3rd grade students perspective for the first time, I teach a very basic perspective lesson. For example, a landscape with a road drawn to the vanishing point or several lines drawn to the vanishing point to create a field with rows of flowers. My 4th grade students fill the paper with geometric shapes and connect them to a central vanishing point. Challenging my 5th grade students even more, they draw their name with block letters, and connect the letters to a vanishing point above or below their name.

In middle school, 6th grade students review 1 point perspective with my Woven Forms lesson. They draw a variety of shapes and connect each shape to a new vanishing point. This creates the illusion of floating and rotating forms. To make this lesson more challenging, the students add something that weaves the forms together within a theme. My Woven Forms 1 Point Perspective Lesson Plan is available here.

How to teach perspective student art examples — Student examples from my Woven Forms 1 Point Perspective Lesson

My 7th and 8th grade students learn to use 2 vanishing points in their drawing. One of my students’ favorites is the Graffiti Wall lesson. Students use both vanishing points to create the illusion of a 3D corner of a building, street corner and surrounding buildings. In addition, they use the guidelines created with the brick pattern to add graffiti with the same forced perspective. Lastly, they have fun adding additional elements to the scene to show their creative flair. My advanced 8th grade class experiments with 3 Point Perspective. My Graffiti Wall 2 Point Perspective Lesson Plan is available here.

examples of art lessons on how to teach perspective — Student examples from my Graffiti Wall art lesson teaching perspective

What subject matter to use

I feel like landscapes make the most sense as you are introducing the linear perspective to younger children. The idea is a bit abstract, but showing students a photo of a road vanishing as it reaches the horizon is the best evidence to increase their understanding. Besides landscapes, walls, 3D forms such as presents, room interiors, architecture, words, names, or non-objective art are possibilities.

Why teaching perspective is important

Most students feel successful with the outcome of their drawing. It looks “professional” and neat and clean. If the lesson is appropriate for the skill level of the learner they will be successful and it will build confidence in their drawing abilities. Lastly, it is an excellent way to teach the element of art, SPACE. Students learn how artists use size to create the illusion of depth in an artwork. Perspective also goes hand in hand with VALUE. Once the students have created the illusion of space with their linear perspective drawing, they can apply the idea of atmospheric perspective. Students may also use shading to create lighter values in the distance or on the sides of a 3D form. Lastly, it also reinforces how to use a ruler as a straight edge and develops those necessary fine motor skills.

I hope these tips and tricks make your next perspective lesson a hit. I have created a YouTube playlist with a variety of 1 and 2 point perspective lessons. Here is the link to the playlist. Feel free to use share these tutorials with your students or give yourself a perspective refresher.

Happy drawing, Trista

I have also created a couple Holiday-themed perspective lessons that are available. Here’s the links.

Gingerbread House Drawing Art Lesson

3D Presents: 2 Point Perspective Drawing Lesson

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I’ve been teaching art for over 20 years and I love it!

I have taught every grade from kindergarten to high school. This site features art education articles with art resources and ideas as well as art lesson ideas for all ages. My goal is to allow students to explore a variety of art materials, discover different genres and styles, and most importantly, have FUN!