One Point Perspective Ariel View Skyscrapers

Depth is one of the main concepts of our art curriculum.  Depth through color, depth through size change, and in this case, depth through perspective.  Specifically, one point perspective.  I like doing this project with 4th grade but it can be easily modified up for the older grades with more requirements for detail or by changing the coloring mediums.  This is also a great way to include math into your lesson as you have to be able to measure to do this properly.

We started by folding our papers vertically.  The dot for our one point perspective goes at the bottom on the fold.  The next step is to take rulers and measure out at least four squares in the space above the dot.  The can be positioned in the center, to the left or to the right. The corners closest to the dot are the corners that get extended into the one point perspective.  The rules need to be used for this step.

Just about the only problem kids have with this project is the overlapping.  For whatever the reason they tend to draw their lines from the buildings into the back through their buildings in the front instead of just stopping when they touch the front ones.  I even make a point of showing them the right and wrong ways and STILL get kids who make that mistake.

With older grades I do emphasize making the windows align with the point as well.  But with fourth grade I'm just happy if the buildings match up!  These were outlined with sharpie and then colored with watercolor paint but in the past I have also used colored pencils for the buildings and details and the paint for the backgrounds only.  Feel free to vary materials as you like if you try this in your own room!