Birds Eye View City Lesson
Lesson: Learn how to create a bird's eye view city using 1-point linear perspective.
Linear perspective definition
Linear perspective is a technique used in art to create the illusion of depth and realism on a flat surface. This is done by creating vanishing points on a horizon line and drawing the scene with converging lines that mimic the way objects appear to get smaller as they recede into the distance.
If you were a bird how would the ground look from the sky?
Look closely at how the buildings, and other objects look. Notice how you don't see all sides of a building.
Look closely at streets down below, they go between the buildings. Pay attention to how some of the buildings are oval at the top instead of rectangular.
Practice
These building below were created without the 1pt point in the center of the page like the image above. We will practice that way in class.
Step 1: Draw a rectangle and make a (L) shape near the bottom left side of the rectangle.
Step 2: Connect the top of the (L) to the top corner of the rectangle.
Step 3: Connect the middle of the (L) to the bottom left side of the rectangle.
Step 4: Connect the bottom of the (L) to the bottom right side of the rectangle. Add a small door. You should be able to see how a bird would see the entire top of the roof but only a small part of the building walls.
Step 5: Draw a rectangle in the center.
Step 6: Draw a short line right below the rectangle.
Step 7: Connect the corners of the short line to the corners of the rectangle. Make a small door.
Step 8 : Draw another rectangle and create a (L) backwards at the bottom right of the rectangle.
Step 9: Connect the (L) corners to the corners of the rectangle just like the first building you created.
Step 10 : You will create buildings at the bottom of the page the same way you did the top. Look at where I placed the (L) on the buildings. They are upside down. Also, create a short line above the middle building.
Step 11: Connect the rectangle to the (L) just like you did on the top buildings. Add doors.
Step 12 : Add boxes around the buildings to create a sidewalk. This is the same step as the top buildings.
Step 13: Start adding more buildings or boxes around the edges of your paper. If you have room to make more buildings that would be great.
Step 14 : Start adding dash lines for the street. Lines going vertical, and lines going horizontal. You can add trees, windows, and more details to make your city look realistic.
Great Job!! Keep Practicing!! You'll get better!!
Look at some advanced examples below.
Video Examples to watch and practice
Ehlke Art 1 Point Perspective Birds Eye View