New
New
Year 9

Principles of art: perspective

I can describe and draw a range of perspective techniques

New
New
Year 9

Principles of art: perspective

I can describe and draw a range of perspective techniques

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Perspective helps create solid objects on a two-dimensional surface to give an illusion of height, width and depth
  2. Perspective can be used to create realistic or disorientating images
  3. Perspective is rooted in a Western idea of seeing, global communities explore the picture space in different ways

Keywords

  • Linear perspective - a drawing method used by artists to give the illusion of depth on a 2D surface

  • Vanishing point - the points in perspective drawings that all lines recede to

  • Horizon line - where the earth meets the sky

Common misconception

In two point perspective, some lines don't need to recede to the vanishing point

All lines recede to one of the vanishing points. Otherwise your drawing won't be realistic


To help you plan your year 9 art and design lesson on: Principles of art: perspective, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Try to avoid describing perspective in ways that present perspective as the gold standard when it comes to representing space
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pencil, paper, ruler. Optional: watercolour / coloured pencil.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the terms with their definitions.
Correct Answer:Contour,Lines that outline shapes and forms.

Lines that outline shapes and forms.

Correct Answer:Volume,The space an object occupies in three dimensions.

The space an object occupies in three dimensions.

Correct Answer:Chiaroscuro,A technique using light and dark to create depth.

A technique using light and dark to create depth.

Q2.
What does volume add to a piece of art?
Flatness and shine
Bright colours and texture
Correct answer: Depth and realism
Q3.
A bust is a sculpted representation of the __________ of a person.
Correct answer: Head and neck
the whole body
hands
Correct answer: Head and shoulders
Feet
Q4.
How can artists create the illusion of volume in 2D art?
Using only bright colours
Correct answer: Through contour lines and tone
By making the artwork longer and larger
Q5.
Match the artist to their technique.
Correct Answer:Barbara Hepworth,Created smooth, rounded sculptures.

Created smooth, rounded sculptures.

Correct Answer:Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio,Used chiaroscuro for dramatic effect.

Used chiaroscuro for dramatic effect.

Correct Answer:Angela De La Cruz,Explores volume with oversized objects.

Explores volume with oversized objects.

Q6.
The term refers to the amount of space an object takes up, which includes height, width, and depth.
Correct Answer: volume

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the vanishing point in a perspective drawing?
The centre of the drawing.
Correct answer: The point where all lines converge.
The highest point in the drawing.
Q2.
Linear perspective helps create the illusion of on a 2D surface.
Correct Answer: depth, depth, distance
Q3.
Match the term with its definition.
Correct Answer:Horizon line,The line where the earth meets the sky

The line where the earth meets the sky

Correct Answer:Foreshortening,Distortion of objects when drawn in perspective

Distortion of objects when drawn in perspective

Correct Answer:Vanishing point,The point where all lines converge

The point where all lines converge

Q4.
Which technique involves using two vanishing points?
One point perspective
Correct answer: Two point perspective
Isometric projection
Q5.
Artists might choose not to use perspective to show spiritual or meanings.
Correct Answer: symbolic, cultural, deeper
Q6.
Which of the following is NOT a method of creating depth in art?
Overlapping shapes
Making shapes smaller in the background
Correct answer: Adding more lines

Additional material

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