Description of the Unit –

Students create a basic nighttime one-point perspective drawing that includes a vanishing point and a horizon line.

Problem/Activity statement –

As objects recede in space, they become smaller to our eye, and eventually meet at a point. A horizon line meets at a vanishing point to separate sky and ground. Students will observe different examples of cities one-point perspective to begin to get a sense for how we perceive things up close and at a distance, as well as to learn to identify whether the perspective is high (“bird’s eye view”) at eye-level, or low (Cat’s eye view”). Additionally, students are challenged with expressing the qualities of color and light at night.

Goals –

Students should…

Understand:

• The concept of one-point perspective
• Differences in perspective in relation to the viewer’s eye
• Understand ways in which light and color look to different to the eye at night vs. during the day

Know:

• How to define the terms ‘vanishing point’ and ‘horizon line’

Be able to:

• Draw a basic one-point perspective including a vanishing point and a horizon line
• Express light with effects that express night

Objectives –

Students will:

• Draw a nighttime cityscape on one-point perspective

Resources and materials –

• Examples of cities in one-point perspective both in photos and drawings
• Black Bristol board (8 x 10)
• Pencils
• Erasers
• White drawing pencils
• Rulers
• Watercolor pencils
• Oil pastels
• Chalk pastels

Questions –

What happens in our field of view as objects get further away?

Point to where objects seem to disappear…

Point to where the sky meets the ground…

What do you notice about the front of buildings? What do you notice about the sides of the buildings facing you (the viewer)?

How do things look from above? From below?

How would you describe the way light looks in these images? What about color? (Look for words such as “soft”, “diffused”, “fuzzy”, etc).

What are some ways you would express this kind light/color in your drawing?

Evaluation –

Did students:

Understand what one-point perspective is?

Include a vanishing point and a horizon line in their cityscape?

Consistently express a specific point of view?

Experiment with color as a way to show light and shadow?

Informal:

• Student questions
• Group discussions
• Oral responses to essential questions
• At least one finished piece
• Elaboration and risk-taking

• 5th grade
• Drawing