How do you locate the 2 vanishing points?

Question from Kira, Drawing Academy student

Hello,

I’m attempting to draw a vase standing on a square plinth. The circular vase is rather easy, but as soon as I get to the square base problems start.

If I draw the square base straight on (so that the front of it is parallel to the horizon) it works fine, but when I draw it slightly rotated everything goes a bit wonky and round part sitting on the square plinth looks at a funny angle relative to the other eclipses in the drawing.

Maybe the problem has something to do with me not knowing how to establish the two vanishing points? But I’m not sure if that’s it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you
Kira

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Dear Kira,

Thank you for your question about perspective.

When you draw a cuboid from life, you can measure vanishing line angles with a pencil. How to measure angles with a pencil is explained here:

https://lifedrawing.academy/life-drawing-academy-news/how-to-measure-angles-with-a-pencil

If you draw from imagination, you can use the following method of “building” correct perspective:

https://lifedrawing.academy/life-drawing-academy-news/how-to-spot-mistakes-in-perspective-drawing

To get strong drawing skills, you may consider our personal tutoring in addition to the Drawing Academy lessons:

https://lifedrawing.academy/correspondence-course

Kind regards,

Vladimir London
Art tutor

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