Dream Rooms-One Point Perspective-8th Grade

Most students are excited about the idea to learn out to 'draw 3-D', but when the time comes, perspective drawing can be difficult and confusing. For that reason, I like to introduce the 8th grade's perspective project by asking them, "If you could create a dream room, what would it look like?" We brainstorm some ideas on the board and this gets the students revved up about the project. From there, we discuss the Element of Arts (line, shape, form and space) that are used to create the illusion of 3-dimensions on a 2-dimensional medium (such as paper). Students begin with simple shapes (rectangles) and turn them into forms (rectangular prisms) using the vanishing point. Then, they use the confines of the rectangular prism to create a piece of furniture. I demonstrate some basic forms (beds, dressers, etc) for the whole class and they use these as a guide to construct various pieces for their individual rooms. Finally, they add detail to their rooms such as, pillows and blankets on their beds, books and lamps on their nightstands or whatever works for their 'Dream Room'.