How to draw a city using 2-point perspective, by Ombarart on YouTube. 14 min 9 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 9 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Draw a horizontal line across the middle of your paper. This is the horizon line, and it sets the viewer's eye level.
Mark two points on the horizon line, one near the left edge and one near the right edge. These are your two vanishing points.
Draw a vertical line in the center to mark the nearest corner of your first building. Make it taller than the horizon line.
From the top and bottom of that vertical line, draw light lines to both vanishing points. These guide lines show how the two walls recede.
Add more vertical lines on each side to set the far corners of the building. Where each vertical meets the guide lines, draw the top and bottom edges.
Repeat for more buildings along both sides of the street. Keep every vertical line truly vertical and send all side edges to one of the two points.
Draw the street and sidewalk edges using the same guide lines so they narrow toward the vanishing points.
Add windows, doors and roof details. Keep window lines parallel to the building edges they sit on.
Erase the construction lines you no longer need, then go over the final outlines with a darker pencil or fine liner.
Shade one side of each building darker to show the light direction and make the depth read clearly.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep your ruler still and check that every side edge points exactly at a vanishing point, or the buildings will look twisted.
Draw construction lines lightly so you can erase them cleanly later.
Place the horizon line at eye level, low for a dramatic view or high to look down on the street.
Start with just two or three buildings before adding a full skyline.
Questions
What is the difference between 1-point and 2-point perspective?
In 1-point perspective you face a flat wall and use one vanishing point. In 2-point perspective you view a corner, so the two walls recede to two separate points.
Do the vertical lines need to be perfectly straight?
Yes. In 2-point perspective all verticals stay vertical. Only the horizontal edges angle toward the two vanishing points.
Can I do this digitally?
Yes. Use a straight-line tool and set two guide points on a horizon layer, then draw your buildings on layers above it.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
