The best way to learn perspective drawing

Questions from Daniel, Drawing Academy student

“Just two fast questions: What’s the best way to learn perspective drawing? I’ve just started, so I’ve purchased a few sketchbooks but I’m not sure where to begin. Should I simply draw from real life and apply perspective to, say, buildings and other things?

And also: In your opinion, what’s a good amount of time to invest in daily drawing?”

Thanks!

Hi Daniel,

Many thanks for your questions.

1. The best way to learn perspective is to watch Drawing Academy videos on this topic first, and then draw objects from life and imagination in the following order: 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-point perspective. Make sure to apply aerial perspective principles in each perspective type. I would suggest spending at least 20 hours practicing each perspective type, which works out to 80 hours of drawing time. If you feel that you have some challenges with a particular type of perspective, spend more time on it.

The best way to learn perspective drawing:

2. It’s good that you have a drawing sketchbook. Sketch as often as you can. When you fill one book, buy another one. Do sketches for yourself, not for others to see. The common block many artists experience is that they want to make sketches as good as possible to be praised by other viewers. It’s not a good idea. Sketches are private disposable scribbles for your reference and practice, not for show-off. If you subconsciously have to choose between drawing sketches to improve your drawing skills and drawing for display, choose the first. Otherwise, you may end up with a collection of empty sketchbooks you’re afraid to spoil with “low quality drawings”.

3. When it comes to how much time to invest in drawing, we can only say: as much as you can. In this article I offer solutions on how to find time for drawing: //drawingacademy.com/how-to-find-time-for-drawing

Kind regards,
Natalie Richy and Vladimir London
Drawing Academy tutors