Draw buildings using simple perspective
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can draw buildings using simple perspective techniques to show depth and distance.
Key learning points
- Perspective helps artists show space and depth in their drawings.
- Artists and architects use perspective to bring realism to their designs.
- Buildings can be made to look 3D using lines that lead to a vanishing point.
Keywords
Perspective - a drawing technique that shows how objects appear smaller as they get further away
Vanishing point - the spot on the horizon where parallel lines seem to meet
Horizon line - the level where the sky meets the ground in a drawing
Depth - the sense of space or distance in a picture
Common misconception
All the lines in a building should go straight up and sideways.
Some lines go towards a vanishing point to show how things look smaller as they get further away. That’s how we create perspective.
Teacher tip
Use real examples and model step-by-step drawing slowly. Emphasise that mistakes are part of learning, perspective can feel tricky but gets easier with practice. For Task A, you may choose to use the image provided in the additional materials.
Equipment
Rulers, pencils and erasers.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is an architectural structure?
Q2.What is one way architects make their buildings interesting?
Q3.Match the word to the correct description.
Q4.Match each design thinking step with the correct action.
Q5.Structure means ...
Q6.Who designs buildings and helps decide how they will look?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does “perspective” help show in a drawing?
Q2.Where is the vanishing point usually placed?
Q3.Match the drawing technique to what it helps show.
Q4.Depth is ...
Q5.What do we call the line that shows the viewer’s eye level?
Q6.When drawing a building, you draw the first to show perspective.
To help you plan your 4 art and design lesson on: Draw buildings using simple perspective, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 art and design lesson on: Draw buildings using simple perspective, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 art and design lessons from the Architecture: drawing and 3D design unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.