How To Draw Better Perspective – 2 Easy Drawing Exercises

Your drawings will NEVER be the same after this.

If you struggle to make your art look solid and 3D, look no further as I’m here to fix that completely.

We’re tackling 3D forms in space, starting with boxes and cylinders in 3-point perspective.

This is the ultimate exercise to train your brain to think in depth, structure, and confidence – all of which will massively level up your art and hope you learn how to draw better perspective.

And here’s the deal: if you stick with me until the end, I’ll give you one bonus trick that will make sure your perspective never looks wrong again.

So grab your sketchbook, layout paper or any sheets of paper for these drawing exercises, a pen – yes, a pen, no erasing today, and let’s dive in!

Step 1: Drawing a Box in 3-Point Perspective

The best way to understand perspective is to build a form step by step.

Start by drawing a T-shape. This represents the top and middle of the box.

Now, a mistake beginners make is drawing the T too symmetrical.

Instead, try angling it differently – this will force you to think about depth more dynamically. Next, add one side of the box.

This is your first indicator of where the form sits in space. Now, we build out the rest of the box by drawing lines that go AWAY from the viewer, aiming toward three vanishing points.

This part is critical to help you learn how to draw better perspective – if your lines don’t recede properly, your box will look warped.

Before we move on, quick tip: Once you’ve drawn your box, grab a coloured pen and analyse it. Check if the angles feel correct, and those lines converge to one point equally.

Are the sides balanced? 

Does it feel like it’s sitting in space naturally? 

This is where you start training your eye to spot mistakes fast.

Now, to really lock in the 3D feel, lightly shade one face of the box. This simple step instantly clarifies depth and makes your drawing more readable. 

Finally, add dotted lines for the hidden sides – this helps you see the full form, even when parts are obstructed.

And don’t just stop at one – fill a whole page with boxes! 

Vary the angles, experiment with different T-shapes, and push your comfort zone. The more you do this, the more natural 3D drawing will feel. Think of your landscape, imaginary, or portrait drawings – all instantly better!

Now that we’ve got boxes down, let’s take it a step further with cylinders – which are trickier but just as important.

Step 2: Drawing a Cylinder in Perspective

The easiest way to draw a cylinder in perspective is to first build it inside a box. This is a great drawing exercise to help you improve your drawing skill.

This gives you structure and makes sure it sits correctly in space.

Start by drawing a box just like before. Now, inside that box, sketch two ellipses – one at the top and one at the bottom. 

The trick here is to get the right tilt. The more tilted the object, the wider the ellipse. If it’s more upright, the ellipse will be narrower. The more you try and challenge yourself, the more you will improve your skill!

Once you have your ellipses, simply connect them with smooth, confident lines. And boom – your cylinder is in perspective!

If you’re feeling extra bold, shade one side lightly to push the depth even further.

And here’s a challenge for you: try drawing cylinders at different angles. Instead of always keeping them upright, tilt them, rotate them – get comfortable with how they move in space.

Why Using a Pen is a Game Changer

If you’re wondering why I said use a pen, here’s why:

No erasing means no hesitation.

You commit to your lines, and that builds confidence fast with your pen drawings.

If you make mistakes, good! You’ll learn to adapt and improve rather than relying on endless corrections.

The fastest way to get better is to just keep moving forward. In fact, I challenge you to fill an entire sketchbook page today with these forms. And if you do? Comment below and let me know how it went – I want to hear about your progress!

Bonus Tip: The Flip Trick

Okay, you made it to the end, so here’s your bonus tip – one that will instantly reveal perspective drawing mistakes.

After you’ve drawn your boxes and cylinders, flip your sketchbook upside down. This forces your brain to see the shapes in a fresh way, and suddenly, any wonky angles or perspective issues become super obvious.

 It’s a simple trick, but trust me – it works.

So, here’s your challenge: spend 10-15 minutes a day on these exercises.

Keep it consistent, and in just a few weeks, you’ll see a huge difference in your art. Hope youv’e enjoyed this article on how to draw better perspective!

Mastering 3-point perspective is one of the fastest ways to make your drawings look more realistic and three-dimensional. By practicing boxes and cylinders in space, you’ll develop a stronger sense of depth, structure, and confidence in your art.

Key Takeaways

• Boxes in 3-point perspective train your brain to think in depth and structure.
• Cylinders inside boxes help you maintain correct proportions and angles.
• Using a pen forces commitment and improves line confidence.
• Filling a page with variations builds muscle memory and spatial awareness.
• The flip trick helps spot perspective mistakes instantly.

Stick with these exercises, and you’ll see massive improvements in your ability to draw solid 3D forms.

Set aside 10-15 minutes daily, and in just a few weeks, perspective will start feeling natural. I hope you’ve enjoyed this video on learning how to draw better perspective! If you liked this blog post, make sure you check out this on how to paint with gouache on watercolour paper.

Otherwise, see how you can think outside the box with some creative thinking!

Many thanks for listening and visiting my blog today. You can follow what I’m up to on my Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram pages, I’ll really appreciate it if you do, and don’t be afraid to say hi to me! Many thanks again, and have a great day!