Catalyst

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Perspective · 5 of 8 · 6 min

Circles never come to a point

A circle in perspective is an ellipse. It is symmetrical, and it flattens as it approaches eye level — it does not get fatter.

eye levelRim — closer to eye level, flatterBase — farther from eye level, rounder
  1. 1

    Eye level is a line

    A coin held at your eyes is a straight line. Lower it onto the table and the ellipse opens, because you are looking down onto the circle.

  2. 2

    The rim is flatter than the base

    On a glass below your eyes, the rim is closer to eye level than the bottom is, so the rim is the flatter ellipse. Students draw this backwards all the time.

  3. 3

    No footballs

    The ends of an ellipse are round. The minor axis lines up with the axis of the cylinder: vertical for a glass, for a column, for a plate.

Critique

Looking up, looking downEyes stay on the horizon

Drill

eye level

Rim opening 10 · Base opening 28

The rim is closer to eye level than the base, so it is the flatter ellipse.