Pencil projects61CONVERGING PROJECTION SYSTEMS OR
PERSPECTIVE
Perspective is vital with any technical drawing.
Perspective establishes a viewer’s cone of
vision and a context for objects contained
within it. For example, a representation
constructed on a picture plane has an
established ground and horizon upon which
objects can be placed in relation to it.
Perspective is distinct from the other drawing
systems we have been looking at in that it
creates an illusory yet real impression of space
which employs an imaginary or observed view
created purely through our observation of a
subject. These two systems employ the same
rules, although they arise from different
creative roots and needs. The constructed
perspective drawing is dominated by pure
theory; the observed perspective drawing is
from one view point. Perspective is a system of
drawing that shows the illusion of three-
dimensional objects in a picture space. To
produce a good perspective drawing one has to
abide by a certain set of rules. To break these
rules is to undo the illusion.
There are two common uses for perspective.
One is a perspective drawing constructed from
our imagination and creative thoughts; the
other is constructed from an understanding of
planal recession and form.