Draw From a Unique Perspective
Draw a scene from a unique viewpoint, like a bug's-eye or bird's-eye view, practicing perspective, scale, and simple shading techniques.
About this tutorial
Draw a scene from a unique viewpoint, like a bug's-eye or bird's-eye view, practicing perspective, scale, and simple shading techniques.
What you need
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Decide whether you want a bug's-eye view (looking up from the ground) or a bird's-eye view (looking down from above).
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Step 2
Pick 2 or 3 small objects or toys to be in your scene and arrange them so you can see them from your chosen viewpoint.
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Step 3
Place your paper and pencil where you can comfortably see your chosen viewpoint without moving too much.
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Step 4
Choose a single direction for your light source like a sun or lamp and remember which side it lights.
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Step 5
Lightly draw a horizon line and one vanishing point on your paper to help make things look in space.
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Step 6
Lightly sketch big simple shapes for the objects closest to you so they look large in your viewpoint.
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Step 7
Sketch the middle and far objects smaller to show that they are farther away.
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Step 8
Add simple details to each object like windows leaves or texture so they become recognizable.
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Step 9
Darken the outlines of nearby objects and make lighter lines for objects that are farther away to show depth.
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Step 10
Shade the parts that are away from your light source using soft pencil strokes and blend shadows with a tissue or blending stump.
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Step 11
Color your picture with your coloring materials and add any final touches you like.
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Step 12
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I teach my child to draw a scene from a bug's-eye or bird's-eye viewpoint?
Start by choosing a viewpoint—bug's-eye (very low) or bird's-eye (high). Have the child observe the scene or a photo, then lightly sketch a horizon line and one vanishing point for single-point perspective. Break objects into simple shapes and adjust size to show scale (closer = larger). Add simple shading to suggest form, refine details, and encourage quick practice sketches before finishing with color or ink.
What materials do I need to try perspective drawing with kids?
Basic supplies include paper or a sketchbook, pencils (HB and 2B), eraser, sharpener, ruler, and colored pencils or markers for finishing. Optional helpful items: a camera or phone for reference photos, small toys or found objects to create foreground props, tracing paper, and a clipboard for outdoor sketching. Choose washable, child-safe markers and blunt scissors if cutting is part of a variation.
What ages is this perspective drawing activity suitable for?
This activity fits many ages with adjustments: preschoolers (3–5) can do simplified viewpoint collages or big/small contrasts with help. Ages 5–8 can try basic scale and one-point perspective using guided lines. Ages 9–12 can handle vanishing points, shading, and composition. Teens can explore complex angles, multiple vanishing points, and mixed media. Always supervise younger children and tailor steps to attention span.
What are some easy variations to try with viewpoint drawing?
Easy variations: timed five-minute viewpoint sketches to build observation; limit the palette to silhouettes or two colors; use toys/blocks as foreground props; try a giant bird's-eye mural from a safe elevated spot; do a collaborative group scene where each child draws a quadrant; or convert unusual-angle photos into drawings. Variations keep the activity engaging and can be made simpler or more challenging for different ages.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I don't have a blending stump — what can I use to blend the shadows like the instructions suggest?
Use a clean fingertip, a folded tissue, a cotton swab, or a soft piece of cloth to blend the soft pencil strokes in the step that mentions "tissue or blending stump."
My far objects still look the same size — how can I make things look farther away as the instructions ask?
Make your horizon line and single vanishing point more visible and redraw the big simple shapes so nearby toys are much larger while the middle and far objects are progressively smaller, following the steps about sketching sizes.
How can I adapt the activity for different age groups?
For younger kids, use one toy, trace big simple shapes and focus on bold outlines and coloring, while older kids should use the horizon and vanishing point for accurate perspective, add detailed textures, and practice shading and blending from the chosen light source.
How can we extend or personalize the finished drawing?
Enhance the piece by changing the single light source to a colored lamp for dramatic shadows, adding collage or textured materials when you color, photographing your chosen viewpoint setup, and then sharing the finished drawing and photo on DIY.org.