Perspective Drawing
The information on this page has been taken from the one point perspective page by Matt Fussell on The Virtual Instructor website.
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History
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Credit is given to Renaissance artist Filippo Brunelleschi for developing the type of one point perspective used by artists today.
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The Horizon Line
The "horizon line" is sometimes described as the line that divides the ground from the sky.
The horizon line is not always clearly defined by "sky" and "ground", however. The horizon line can also be the vantage point from which a viewer is observing. For example, the viewer may see an object by looking up at it or perhaps directly down upon it. The object will still be viewed in perspective, but the "horizon line" is not the dividing space between "sky" and "ground" in these situations.
In the following image, the viewer could be looking down onto buildings. In this case, the horizon line does not mark the division between "sky" and "ground".
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Understanding the horizon line helps the artist make an informed decision on where the vanishing point or points should be placed. A drawing or painting can be created without a horizon line, but it's good practice to include one even though it may not be visible in the finished work.
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The Vanishing Point
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Dots placed on the horizon are called the "vanishing points". One point perspective utilizes one vanishing point. All of the lines of perspective will recede back to this singular dot in space. This dot can best be thought of as the place where objects begin to disappear because of distance. Some of the lines used in one point perspective will use the "vanishing point" as an anchor.