Three-Point Perspective

Look up at a skyscraper from the sidewalk: its vertical edges seem to lean toward each other, converging high in the sky. Look down from the top of a tall building and the walls converge toward the ground. That's three-point perspective: two-point perspective plus a third vanishing point for the vertical lines.

When to use it

• Worm's-eye view: looking up at tall subjects. The third VP is high above the horizon. Subjects feel monumental, powerful, intimidating.
• Bird's-eye view: looking down from above. The third VP is far below the horizon. Great for city views, maps, dramatic falls, showing a scene's layout.

How it works

1. Draw the horizon line with two vanishing points (left and right), like in two-point perspective.
2. Add the third vanishing point on a vertical line, far above (looking up) or far below (looking down) the horizon.
3. All "vertical" edges now converge to VP3. Left edges go to VP1, right edges to VP2.

The three VPs form a triangle

The three vanishing points form a triangle. Your scene should stay comfortably inside it: objects near the corners of the triangle get distorted. This is the same "cone of vision" problem as in two-point perspective.

Three-point perspective and the figure

Three-point perspective isn't only for buildings. A character seen from a low angle has a big feet-and-legs area and a smaller head: the body follows the same convergence. Comic book artists use it constantly for drama.