3D letter in one-point perspective
Turn a flat block letter into a solid 3D letter using one vanishing point, at least 2 cm thick, shaded with the light coming from the right. Pick a letter, move the vanishing point, follow the six steps, then print it at true size.
The brief
Submit
- Your letter in 3D, one-point perspective.
- A minimum thickness of 2 cm (the depth you see on the top).
- Shading, with the light source coming from the right.
The method (as in the class video)
- Draw the letter flat with a ruler.
- Place one vanishing point.
- Join every corner to the vanishing point.
- Cut off the thickness and draw the back edges parallel to the front.
- Rub out the guide lines and hidden edges.
- Shade each face for the light from the right.
Letter builder
The drawing is an A4 page at true size. Drag the blue vanishing point or the letter itself to move them. Step through the method with the numbered buttons, then print exactly what you see.
Letter
Step
Size
Shading style
Show
Keyboard: click the page, then arrow keys move the vanishing point; Shift + arrows move the letter.
Shading with the light from the right
Every face gets one tone, set by which way it faces. The light comes from the right (and a little from above), so the tones run from light on the right-facing faces to darkest on the left-facing ones. Keep each face an even tone and make neighbouring faces clearly different.
Tips
- Everything goes to one pointEvery edge that goes back into the page must line up with the vanishing point. Use a ruler every time.
- Back edges are parallelThe back edges are parallel to the front edges: horizontals stay horizontal, verticals stay vertical, diagonals keep the same angle.
- Where to put the VPAbove the letter shows the top faces (the thickness the brief asks for). Off to one side shows that side as well.
- Check the 2 cmMeasure the shortest edge going back to the VP. Lines further from the VP are longer, so if the shortest is 2 cm, they all are.
- Clean before you shadeRub out the guide lines and the hidden back edges first, then go over the visible edges firmly.
- Even tonesShade each face with the side of the pencil in one direction, building up layers rather than pressing hard.