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I have added a 3D SketchUp model of the perspective construction used in the 'How to...' section.  This is not in order to demonstrate an alternative method of setting up a perspective drawing, but to help explain more clearly the geometry that underlies any perspective view, whether constructed in the traditional way or via a 3D CAD model. (images © copyright Russell Light) Clearly, a CAD model has many advantages in that it can be used as a basis for a whole series of drawings and different perspective views. However, it is still useful to develop an understanding of the basic principles of perspective by constructing a drawing manually, as this can help with composition and selecting a view, as well as being useful for sketches in the field or when a computer isn't to hand. The SketchUp model can be downloaded from the Google 3D Warehouse .

This site is intended as a resource for perspective drawing. It is aimed principally at students of architecture, but the techniques should also be relevant to other subject areas. There is more to be added to the site and the history section is currently incomplete, but there should already be enough material for the site to be of value. A lot of the research into the literature of the subject was carried out in the 1990s. I thought it would be useful to place all this in the public realm, but some of it may need updating. Please provide feedback if you think there are any omissions or if the techniques are not clear. Paolo Uccello - Perspective Study of a Chalice, c. 1430-40 (source: Wikimedia Commons) A reconstruction of Uccello's chalice. This CAD model is based on exactly the same principles of perspective geometry (image copyright © Russell Light)