This week, I drew a foreign cathedral, and I hope to visit it in person someday. I'm in awe of how much time and effort earlier generations dedicated to designing such intricate structures.
By sketching the cathedral, I learned how squares and circles can be combined to create structures. This technique can be applied to drawing spaces and buildings, and the process resembles computer modeling—defining shapes, planning spaces, and layering elements like stacking a cake. 🙋
Let’s dive in to explore how to use lines to create a sense of space!
Before You Start Drawing: Key Concepts
● What is perspective?
Perspective is a technique that makes your drawings look spatial and realistic by projecting real-world objects onto a flat surface. It helps you understand proportions and the size relationships between near and far objects.
● The role of the picture plane in perspective:
Think of the picture plane as a window that directs your view, similar to a camera lens or a canvas. 3D objects are projected onto this 2D surface, creating the image you see.
● What is a vanishing point?
In a perspective drawing, all parallel lines that recede into the distance converge at a single point called the vanishing point. This simulates the effect of objects appearing smaller as they move further away.
For example, in the upper-right illustration, lines in the same direction all converge toward their respective vanishing points on the horizon.
Line of Sight / Eye Level Height
Your eye level determines the viewing angle of the scene, whether it’s straight-on, bird’s-eye (looking down), or worm’s-eye (looking up). It defines how the scene feels to the viewer.
Using the head as an example:
Common Types of Perspective
● One-point perspective:
As shown in the bottom-right hallway illustration, all lines converge toward one vanishing point.
● Two-point perspective:
Imagine you're standing at a street corner. In front of you, one road extends to the left, and another to the right. As both roads stretch into the distance, their edges appear to converge into a single point at each end—these are the left and right vanishing points, aligned on the horizontal plane at your eye level.
● Three-point perspective:
Now imagine looking up or down at a tall building. Not only do the horizontal edges converge toward the two vanishing points on the left and right, but the vertical edges also appear to converge—either upward or downward—toward a third vanishing point. This is what we call three-point perspective.
By introducing a third vanishing point along the vertical axis (above or below the horizon), you can simulate dramatic perspective angles, such as looking up at a skyscraper or down from a high viewpoint—perfect for adding tension or dynamic energy to a scene.
● Square perspective:
The objects we see in our daily lives can often be simplified into squares to construct shapes and proportions. By using squares, we can quickly understand structures and establish the size relationships between objects and space when drawing.
Imagine objects as constructed from squares. For example, in the "blocky character" demonstration, the width equals one square, while the height is roughly two squares plus a bit more. Stacking these "blocks" helps establish proportions (1:2.3 in this case).
This method allows you to easily calculate the object's dimensions and predict how it will look when viewed from different angles.
● Circular perspective:
How circles change in perspective: In perspective, circles appear as ellipses. The further the circle is from the viewer's eye level, the more it flattens into an ellipse.
● Perspective Doubling Method
Build Rhythm in Perspective Using Square Doubling
Why Learn the "Doubling Method"?
When drawing in perspective, you may ask:
“How deep should this object or scene go?”
“How do I know where to place the next layer?”
That’s where the Square Doubling Method comes in.
It’s a relatively precise technique that helps you:
- Advance equal distances without guessing
- Create a consistent rhythm and scale across your drawing
- Build a reliable base for exploded views, stairs, corridors, rooftops, architectural modules, and more
Flat Square Doubling Method:
🔹Step 1：
Draw a square and add two diagonals to find the center point. This point will guide your next divisions.
🔹Step 2：
Extend the square’s edges until they intersect with the diagonals.
Each intersection lets you divide the space into equal segments, helping you build a precise layout.
Perspective Square Doubling (Using Two-Point Perspective)
- Start with one square in correct perspective + draw the diagonals.The intersection gives you the center, your key measurement point
- Extend vertically or horizontally to reach the next edge
- Draw diagonals again and repeat the process → You’ll generate a sequence of equal spaces: 2 → 4 → 8…
- Now add vanishing points and perspective lines — This grid can be extended into 3D perspective space for both flat and spatial drawings.
✅ Tip: As long as your first square is accurately drawn in perspective, the rest of the doubling will remain stable.
❌ Common Mistake: Skipping the center line or guessing each segment leads to distorted grids and broken proportions.
Practical Application: Drawing an Exploded Hamburger Using Perspective Squares
Exploded views may look freeform, but they follow spatial logic.
Many beginners think exploded drawings are done intuitively, but without an underlying cube-based perspective structure, elements may become misaligned or unstable.
Let’s take a burger as an example: We align each ingredient layer within 8–10 grid sections, stacking them with even spacing to form a clear exploded perspective.
Exploded Burger Drawing Steps
| Step | Key Idea |
|---|
| 1️⃣Build an 8-unit space cube | Use the doubling method to create evenly spaced layers with consistent perspective. |
| 2️⃣ Insert circular and square-shaped ingredients | Start with simple circles or squares to define the position and thickness of each layer |
| 3️⃣Add natural deformations (e.g., melted cheese, curled lettuce). | Use the original perspective grid as a guide, while allowing slight organic shape changes |
| 4️⃣Design floating components | Onion rings or tomato slices can be offset horizontally from their original layer to create visual variation |
| 5️⃣Finalize with linework and structural simplification | You can keep parts of the grid lines to enhance the perspective structure and add richness to the image |
Exploded Burger Timelapse Video
These perspective tips are a great starting point. Why not try them out yourself? Practice applying these principles to capture the shapes and structures you see in daily life.
If you're interested in learning to draw but don't know where to start, or if you'd like to understand the knowledge behind drawing,
feel free to join my LINE and contact me. In my classes, I organize drawing methods in a clear and structured way.
Click here to learn more about my drawing courses!
Want to explore more articles on extended drawing techniques?
How to Draw a Car for Beginners: Using Simple Shapes
Boots Sketch Tutorial: Learn Proportions and Structural Lines
How to Master the Proportions,Shape, and Symmetry of a Teapot
Three Easy Steps to Drawing a Stuffed Duck with a Pencil
Sketching Class Fishing Boat Drawing Techniques
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