Drawing a Skyscraper from Below (Three-Point Perspective)
Looking up at a tower, its sides lean toward a vanishing point high above it. The horizon sits low, near the base, and the building's floors still converge to two points on that horizon.
In short
- Horizon near the bottom; third vanishing point far above.
- Floor lines converge to the two horizon points.
- Window columns follow the leaning edges to the top point.
Steps
- Low horizon, two wide points. Put the horizon near the bottom of the page.
- Third point high above. Place it well above the page, roughly over the building.
- Draw the near edge. From the base corner, draw the edge toward the third point.
- Draw the base and roof. Run base edges to the horizon points; close the top where the leaning edges are cut by lines to the same points.
- Divide floors and columns. Use diagonals to step floors up the face; window columns run to the top point.
- Add scale. A small figure at the base, eyes on the horizon, sells the height.
Floors get shorter toward the top
Equal floor heights appear shorter as they rise toward the third vanishing point. Space them with diagonals on one face, the same way you space posts along a fence, just turned upright.
Frequently asked questions
How tall can the building be?
As tall as you like; just keep the third vanishing point well beyond the top so the sides do not converge too sharply.