One-Point Perspective by students of Kim L. Defibaugh, Ed.D.

In the technology lab, fifth grade students viewed a series of 8 art prints called "The Changing City" by Jorg Muller.

Then they visited a one-point perspective web site on the internet created by Harold Olejarz.

A large screen in the technology lab allowed students to view Dr. Defibaugh's computer as she went through a step-by-step process for creating one-point perspective drawings on the computer

After basic instuctions on how to use tools in the Microsoft Paint program, students went to work. Most students used all the tools to create their drawings.

First students used the brush to draw the vanishing point. The line tool was used to create a horizon line and to draw the frameworks for roads, sidewalks, and buildings. Then students began adding color. On the sides of buildings, they poured shades of the same color used on the front of the buildings. They used the eyedropper tool to select these customized shades and the paint bucket to pour them in. This gives the illusion of depth as darker colors appear to recede.

After adding color to buildings, foreground, and background, students were given a handout called "Architectural Detail Hunt" from the May/June 1995 issue of SchoolArts magazine as a resource. Many students used ideas from this handout to add details and textures to their drawings. Students signed their finished work and it was printed in both black and white and color. Click on the links below to see finished examples of student work.

For comments or more information contact: Kim L. Defibaugh, Ed.D.