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In this first lesson of the series, artist and veteran instructor Erik Olson introduces perspective in a complete and unabridged pictorial form for artists. Erik walks you through the process of integrating compositional thumbnails and sketches with perspective all the way through to fully formal, measured perspective. You will learn how to use perspective as […]
In this second lesson of the series, artist and veteran instructor Erik Olson continues to demonstrate the process of referencing and determining scale in perspective as well as introducing set-up views and measuring in 1 point perspective. You will learn from drawings, lectures, and master paintings in order to show the critical relationship between an […]
In the third lesson in Erik Olson’s perspective series, Erik demonstrates more complex referencing methods considering both 1 and 2 point perspective together in views. Many of the picture set-ups exhibit “in picture” methods that allow the artist to stay within the scene frame to achieve accurate diminishment. You will also learn about Camera frame […]
Artist and veteran instructor, Erik Olson demonstrates mechanical ellipse creation as well as critically analyzing the restrictions of viewing scenes through camera frames within the cone of vision. Working from simple plans, measured images are created along with many figures variously positioned in strict 1 Point perspective in drawing form and a 3-D program walk […]
Artist and veteran instructor, Erik Olson approaches this lecture with making a basic plan of an environment and then realizing two measured views of the environment. Objects are drawn behaving mostly in 1 Point perspective. Following this, drawn diagrams and multiple digital draw overs, on paintings and photographs, demonstrate 1 Point perspective views with 2 […]
Artist and veteran instructor, Erik Olson begins by discussing the concepts and content of Lectures 01-05 in the context of now having experienced and drawn with them as an artist. This Lecture then proceeds with demonstrating 2 point perspective with both “in picture methods” which are estimating foreshortened space, as well as “fully measured” perspective. […]
Artist and veteran instructor, Erik Olson demonstrates additional views and scenes set ups using with “in picture” methods, which allow the artist to stay within the picture frame to set up correct perspective. Scale referencing on uneven surfaces is also demonstrated along with a digital draw over and the behavior and drawing of various ellipses […]
Artist and veteran instructor, Erik Olson demonstrates the behavior and drawing of multiple elliptical objects from the more simple all the way to a fully realized spiral staircase. Views looking down and looking up in 2 Point perspective are demonstrated as well as how triangular objects are set up. This Lecture concludes with a digital […]
Artist and veteran instructor, Erik Olson demonstrates 2 point perspective sketch scenes as well as scale transfers of objects and figures critical to designing scenes. Erik will then create a scene that is measured to realize a view from a basic plan. Erik also takes you through a digital 3-D walk-through showcasing several 2 point […]
Level 2
Artist and veteran instructor Erik Olson introduces the concepts and facts of various slopes and sloped objects with inclines and declines of various degrees. Finding the auxiliary vanishing points that these slopes lead to, as well as demonstrating estimated reference and measuring methods for slopes surfaces are covered, along with determining how to size and […]
Artist and veteran instructor Erik Olson demonstrates how to create and determine degrees of inclines and declines for slopes as well as measuring, referencing, and positioning objects on slopes. You will also learn how to create 45 degree auxiliary vanishing points as one of the three common ways to find and construct standing grids, squares, […]
Artist and veteran instructor Erik Olson demonstrates the options available for creating and determining degrees of inclines and declines for slopes as well as measuring and or referencing and positioning grids, objects, and figures on slopes. This includes the behavioral angle and position of objects and figures compared to the sloped surface they are on. […]
Artist and veteran instructor Erik Olson starts with a scene showing a house with many dormers, landscape slopes, stairs, a hotrod, a bridge idea, as well as a referenced figure shuttled all around the picture plane. Floating inclined and declined boxes are referenced to the ground plane for scale to a figure, as well as […]
Erik Olson introduces the concept of side-to-side symmetrical drawing and referencing, an especially useful approach for man-made objects. Eric draws various arches, curved patterns, multiple levels of basic curved shapes, and simple bridges. Materials 45-45-90 Transparent Triangle Ruler 30-60-90 Transparent Triangle Ruler Alvin Pro-Matic Lead Holder – 2H Lead Alvin Rotary Lead Pointer T-Square Ruler […]
Erik Olson continues creating more complex curved objects and related reference planes and points to achieve correct perspective diminishment and foreshortening with these side to side symmetrical objects. Methods of intersecting objects and surfaces together are introduced. Materials 45-45-90 Transparent Triangle Ruler 30-60-90 Transparent Triangle Ruler Alvin Pro-Matic Lead Holder – 2H Lead Alvin Rotary […]
Erik Olson deliberates more varied and complex examples of drawing objects using reference planes, reference points, intersecting planes, shapes, and surfaces meeting with seams. A simple scene with a blimp, an archway, and a 1940’s type racecar is related to the cone of vision. Materials 45-45-90 Transparent Triangle Ruler 30-60-90 Transparent Triangle Ruler Alvin Pro-Matic […]
Level 3
In this lesson, veteran NMA Instructor Erik Olson shows you that an understanding of perspective benefits not only the construction of scenes with buildings and large objects, but also of the figure itself. As you move toward learning 3-Point Perspective, it’s important that you’re able to place your figures in realistic perspective. Using a mental […]
In this highly anticipated lesson, Erik Olson tackles the challenging subject of Three Point Perspective, elucidating the difference between one, two, and three point perspective. Building upon prior lessons, and with an understanding of vanishing points, measuring points, station points, and centers of vision, you will learn to construct scenes with “bird’s eye” and “worm’s […]
In this intermediate lesson, Erik Olson ushers you further into an understanding of three-point perspective. Having become familiar with (and, hopefully, memorized!) the basics of the three-point triangle and the cone of vision, it’s now time to start applying the knowledge to figures, objects, and scenes. To harness the power of perspective in your artwork […]
Erik Olson continues to grind away at his series on 3-point perspective with this lesson focusing on the application of 45-degree reference points, allowing you to place any size square in any place or plane that your piece requires. He looks at new ways to construct stairways and buildings in 3-point perspective. This is not […]
In the final lesson of his series on 3-Point Perspective, Erik Olson shows you how to combine three-point, two-point, and one-point perspective. He does demonstrations of tree-house, hallway, and restaurant scenes, and extreme bird’s and worm’s eye views. If you’ve watched this whole series you will learn how to draw informal and applied perspective drawings, […]
Common Questions
Is this course recommended for beginners?
This is a very thorough overview of perspective, so it is helpful to already have some prior drawing experience. If you want to begin your artistic journey with mastery of perspective, however you can take this course.
Erik uses some specific drafting tools in his demonstrations. Do I need to use the same tools?
A list of materials is included in the description for each video in the course. If you are working traditionally we recommend you use these. If you are following along with the course digitally such as in Procreate or Photoshop however, some of them may be unnecessary.
Are assignments included in this course?
There are no separate sections for assignments. This series is designed so that you can follow along with all Erik's demonstrations to create your own perspective diagrams.
Can I take this course digitally (Procreate, Photoshop, etc)?
Like all other courses on New Masters Academy, you can follow along with whatever medium you choose, including digital. Keep in mind that some drawing software has some built in tools for making straight lines, creating vanishing points etc, but you may still need triangles and scales to take measurement and create specific angles.
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