Fundamentals of Perspective [CGMA, Robert St Pierre]
- Publisher
- CGMA
- Product Type
- Video Course
- Author
- Robert St Pierre
- Language
- English
- Duration
- 00:00
- Release date
- Oct 1, 2025
- Skill level
- Project Files
- Yes
- Product Price
- $699
An 8-week foundational course designed to teach the core principles of linear perspective and build confidence in technical drawing skills.
This beginner-friendly course introduces the essential concepts, rules, and methods of linear perspective. Created specifically for students with little to no prior experience, the curriculum focuses on developing a solid understanding of perspective through clear instruction, technical exercises, and practical application.
Rather than emphasizing design and creativity, the course concentrates on building a strong technical foundation. Through lectures, demonstrations, and structured assignments, students will learn how to construct accurate perspective drawings, understand spatial relationships, and apply perspective principles with confidence.
While the course can be completed traditionally or digitally, digital participation is strongly recommended. All demonstrations are conducted in Photoshop using a drawing tablet, and precise line work is an important part of both the learning process and assignment reviews.
Workload: Approximately 8–10 hours per week, including lectures, weekly Q&A sessions, and assignments.
Prerequisites
- Basic drawing skills
- Familiarity with Photoshop is highly recommended
Recommended Materials
- Adobe Photoshop or equivalent software
- Wacom tablet or similar drawing device
Course Outline
Week 0 - Welcome & Course Introduction
An overview of the course structure, including demonstrations, assignments, feedback sessions, live Q&A, and instructor support. Students will also be introduced to the instructor's professional background, workflow, and recommended tools and materials.Week 1 - Fundamental Principles of Perspective
Introduction to the core concepts of perspective, including the cone of vision, perspective plane, ground plane, and surface planes. Students will also learn methods for creating and subdividing proportional spaces.Week 2 - Constructing Checkered Floors
Students will learn how to establish a cone of vision and accurately construct one-point and two-point perspective grids and checkered floor patterns.Week 3 - Scaling Figures in Perspective
Techniques for locating eye levels and vanishing points, as well as accurately placing and scaling characters within one-point and two-point perspective environments.Week 4 - Auxiliary Vanishing Points
Introduction to inclined and declining planes using auxiliary vanishing points. Students will learn to construct sloped surfaces in both one-point and two-point perspective.Week 5 - Drawing Staircases
Application of perspective principles to complex forms through the construction of staircases and multiple inclined planes.Week 6 - One-Point Perspective Projects
Students will apply foundational concepts to complete one-point perspective drawings, progressing from thumbnail sketches to rough layouts and finished line work.Week 7 - Two-Point Perspective Projects
A practical exploration of two-point perspective through the complete design process, from concept thumbnails to finished drawings.Week 8 - Three-Point Perspective Projects
Introduction to three-point perspective and its applications. Students will create increasingly dynamic compositions while refining their technical drafting skills.Instructor
With more than two decades of experience in animation and visual development, Robert has worked as a Production Designer, Visual Development Artist, and Environment Designer for major studios including Disney, Warner Bros., and Focus Features.His credits include Production Designer on Mulan II and Lady and the Tramp II, Background Layout Artist on Winnie the Pooh and The Princess and the Frog, as well as contributions to television productions such as Sofia the First and Phineas and Ferb. In addition to his production work, Robert has taught and lectured extensively on perspective, environment design, and visual storytelling.