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Perspective Made Easy - A Step-By-Step Method for Learning the Basis of Drawing
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1939
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
May 30, 2014
If you had told me I'd read a 200+ page book on perspective drawing, I would have told you you've been drinking too much, but Norling's book was actually entertaining while covering what can be a very dry topic for artists and art students.
Originally published in 1939, this Dover Book reprint has faithfully reproduced the original illustrations and the text is clear and easy to read. As a technique book, Norling covers each topic in simple steps with clear illustrations of each idea. If you're a beginner, this book will be very helpful, especially if you don't have a teacher and are trying to learn on your own.
I picked up this book to help me prepare lesson plans for next fall, and I was pleasantly surprised at the range of topics Norling covers, some of which I'd never considered before, and some which I haven't thought of since I was an art student back in the dark ages. Overall, a pleasant surprise and a useful resource for artists, teachers, and students.
Originally published in 1939, this Dover Book reprint has faithfully reproduced the original illustrations and the text is clear and easy to read. As a technique book, Norling covers each topic in simple steps with clear illustrations of each idea. If you're a beginner, this book will be very helpful, especially if you don't have a teacher and are trying to learn on your own.
I picked up this book to help me prepare lesson plans for next fall, and I was pleasantly surprised at the range of topics Norling covers, some of which I'd never considered before, and some which I haven't thought of since I was an art student back in the dark ages. Overall, a pleasant surprise and a useful resource for artists, teachers, and students.
July 7, 2018
Sure, this was first published in 1939, but that only makes the book all that much better. The rules of perspective haven't changed and it's cool to see everything illustrated with steam locomotives and men wearing trilbies. And, yes, Ernest did make understanding perspective, horizons, vanishing points and drawing shadows and people in the right size in different parts of a perspective sketch easy.
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March 19, 2013
The title is not deceiving! This will teach you all the essentials about perspective in a easy to read and fully illustrated manner. Well worth my time. I borrowed this from a friend, but if I ever start drawing more frequently, I might add this to my shelf as a quick reference book.
January 28, 2017
I have been reading a lot of books on the subject of perspective drawing recently and this book is one that is highly recommended by a lot of artists. I'm not quite sure why though because when comparing it to the other books I have read, I find it incredibly lacking. It goes about explaining things in round about ways with chunks of information here and there that would make it difficult for someone with no prior knowledge of 1, 2 and 3 point perspective to ever fully figure out the proper setup and construction of things. I wouldn't recommend this at all to anyone.
There were basically 2 pieces of information in this book that I enjoyed and that have not been covered in the other books I have read. The first was about dividing the circle (pg 139) and how it can be used to divide up sections on an umbrella, a plate, a cup, a lamp shade etc. The second was on pg 103, explaining how there can be multiple sets of vanishing points for objects in a room rotated at different angles.
There were basically 2 pieces of information in this book that I enjoyed and that have not been covered in the other books I have read. The first was about dividing the circle (pg 139) and how it can be used to divide up sections on an umbrella, a plate, a cup, a lamp shade etc. The second was on pg 103, explaining how there can be multiple sets of vanishing points for objects in a room rotated at different angles.
December 31, 2018
Perspective is a funny thing. We're all aware of it, because it's an integral part of how we understand information from our eyes, and we can usually sense that something is strange when a piece of art doesn't follow the "rules". And yet, it's a subject that often seems to be perceived as complicated and intimidating. It certainly does lend itself to complexity - but its basis is actually delightfully logical. This book does a good job of introducing the basics and then building up to more advanced combinations of ideas - which eventually themselves begin to feel intuitive. The exercises combine drawing from observation as well as imagination. I definitely have a much better grasp of the subject now, and when I'm drawing I feel that my senses have been sharpened.
October 27, 2020
Very good book to read when you're starting your path in any kind of art (traditional or digital).
The book deconstructs one of the fundamentals of art. It explains the concepts of perspective one by one, in simple language, and allows you to evaluate your own understanding of the concepts with practical problems in each chapter.
The whole book takes around 15-20 hours to read, while performing the exercises as well.
The book deconstructs one of the fundamentals of art. It explains the concepts of perspective one by one, in simple language, and allows you to evaluate your own understanding of the concepts with practical problems in each chapter.
The whole book takes around 15-20 hours to read, while performing the exercises as well.
April 17, 2022
This book has twenty short chapters that cover the fundamentals of perspective drawing. It's a fairly old book (I thought it was kind of cute how it talked about the challenges of animating cartoons back in the 1940s), but the content is still relevant and accurate. It is a bit dry, but I really liked the ink drawings on the first page of each chapter.
January 24, 2020
I found this book through a recommendation from ‘Figure Drawing, For All It’s Worth� by Andrew Loomis. As someone who did not have the best education on drawing perspective, I figured it was worth a shot, and I am so glad I did. It’s a relatively quick read, includes excellent diagrams, and explains the concepts in easy language. It’s very well written, well paced, and taught me more about perspective than all my art teachers combined. The concepts can be deceptively simple, and Norling guides the reader through the steps without being patronizing. The book also includes drawing exercises to solidify each chapter’s concepts before moving on to the next. Keeping this one as a forever reference.
April 21, 2017
Very basic in some parts, vague in others. Norling isn't very good at explaining things. For example, there's a section warning that if you put your vanishing points too close together, the drawing will be distorted. However, the author doesn't explain important things like: "How do I tell if my vanishing points are too close together?" "How far apart should my vanishing points be?"
I guess reading Andrew Loomis spoiled me. Why can't he write EVERY drawing book?
I guess reading Andrew Loomis spoiled me. Why can't he write EVERY drawing book?
September 8, 2018
This book is great for quickly getting a grasp on the concept of perspective in drawing. As it's an old book, the PDF is available online for free and you can work through it in a day or two.
Especially recommended if you found Scott Robertson's book How To Draw a bit daunting. Just read this and then get back to Robertson's holy book.
Especially recommended if you found Scott Robertson's book How To Draw a bit daunting. Just read this and then get back to Robertson's holy book.
June 29, 2020
Delivers what it says on the tin. Simple explanation of how to apply perspective for artists. Many clear illustrations. Had a few “aha� moments. Author provides simplified perspective rules and this might lead to noticeable inaccuracies in case of drawing “upright cylinders�. But ok overall.
October 24, 2024
First book I got on perspective so... I liked it, I could understand it, the price was good but can't really compare.
March 4, 2023
A book given to me by my father, Perspective Made Easy is a phenomenal book that utilizes examples (figures, buildings etc.) to teach perspective. the book is divided into 20 steps all containing different parts about drawing perspective -those include: step six: placing the two vanishing points, the error of close spacing. step nine: placing figures and objects in a drawing. step fourteen: practical uses of cylinders in drawing, dividing the circle. (few examples)-. A nice addition the book has at the end of each step is a summary of the key points in the step, a few problems to solve (draw) and a few things to take from each step. This books is a fantastic introduction to a vast amount of concepts related to perspective, 5/5.
March 20, 2020
Con esto de la cuarentena esta bueno revivir hobbies, este libro me gustó, es muy simple en sus explicaciones, lo que desarrolla queda muy claro y con practicas para entender por uno mismo a que se refiere.
No es para profesionales que están metidos en el tema, sino a aficionados como yo que son medio malotes dibujando pero les gusta intentar entender las cosas y dibujar mejor.
No es para profesionales que están metidos en el tema, sino a aficionados como yo que son medio malotes dibujando pero les gusta intentar entender las cosas y dibujar mejor.
June 10, 2024
really simple to understand
January 2, 2023
Not the best book if you're looking for a perspective-specific read.
It has a very old-school (the book was published in 1939) approach to teaching: explanations are lacking, fonts and illustrations used are not good enough and add up to the feeling of uncertainty.
Consider other books mentioned in the comments.
It has a very old-school (the book was published in 1939) approach to teaching: explanations are lacking, fonts and illustrations used are not good enough and add up to the feeling of uncertainty.
Consider other books mentioned in the comments.
April 19, 2020
A Necessary stop on the path to becoming a decent artist. Norling’s instruction is both incredibly practical and really easy to apply yourself after a read-through.
This book gets a 5 star rating from me for the fact that ANYONE, no matter their ability level, can leave this book able to draw a lot of cool looking things that they couldn’t have done before. From an urban jungle to a complex natural landscape, this book really makes the impossible possible, if you just understand the concepts laid out.
Definitely a reference book to keep in arms reach.
This book gets a 5 star rating from me for the fact that ANYONE, no matter their ability level, can leave this book able to draw a lot of cool looking things that they couldn’t have done before. From an urban jungle to a complex natural landscape, this book really makes the impossible possible, if you just understand the concepts laid out.
Definitely a reference book to keep in arms reach.
March 11, 2009
It's great that this book is going to be reprinted again, since its first publication in 1939. It's a very useful book.
All the concepts of perspective are explained in plain and simple English. It teaches the basic foundation well, in a progressive manner where you build onto what you've learned earlier. Included are examples that emphasis the lesson point effectively. Once you get it, you get it forever.
All the concepts of perspective are explained in plain and simple English. It teaches the basic foundation well, in a progressive manner where you build onto what you've learned earlier. Included are examples that emphasis the lesson point effectively. Once you get it, you get it forever.
December 27, 2021
This is the book I should have read when I started drawing. It's the fundamentals of the fundamentals and I think every artist should have a copy.
Tbh I'm still struggling to draw perspective stuff freehand and I learned that accurate proportions are my main nemesis, but hey it's a step forward! I'm feeling a lot more confident to tackle Scott Robertson's behemoth of a perspective book now.
Late tho.
Later.
Tbh I'm still struggling to draw perspective stuff freehand and I learned that accurate proportions are my main nemesis, but hey it's a step forward! I'm feeling a lot more confident to tackle Scott Robertson's behemoth of a perspective book now.
Late tho.
Later.
March 29, 2018
Well-written explanations so far, highly recommended for beginners in perspective.
But, I would more recommend to watch a video if you want to study perspective or other "how to draw" things, since it more easy to understand. There's a lot of it.
Perspective is one of the most essential skills that every artist should master.
But, I would more recommend to watch a video if you want to study perspective or other "how to draw" things, since it more easy to understand. There's a lot of it.
Perspective is one of the most essential skills that every artist should master.
August 31, 2018
Simply written, natural progression in topics and exercises, a fully accomplished, cheap, one-step shop for anyone interested in trying to get their head around perspective in construction and art. Dropping $10 on this to comprehensively approach a consistently understudied aspect for art beginners is a solid investment.
April 10, 2020
As an amateur artist, this was a great book. Some chapters were more useful than others, the last chapter lost me totally, but it shines light on an drawing topic that many artist (my self included) overlook in the beginning, so if you need to stop your tables looking like diamonds instead of squares, pick up this book.
June 4, 2021
I got this out of copyright book for free (you can too) and its a real treasure. Clear, quick practical instruction on how to apply perspective to your drawings. Originally written in the 40's (or 50's?) the language is a little archaic, but it is very easy to follow and well illustrated by the author himself.
May 13, 2020
Very useful
There are so many practical techniques for using perspective correctly in this book. I bought the kindle version but might buy a print book to have on hand when working on site.
There are so many practical techniques for using perspective correctly in this book. I bought the kindle version but might buy a print book to have on hand when working on site.
May 17, 2017
Great intro to perspective, less mechanical. Great book before Scott Robertson
September 3, 2017
Probbaly the best book on perspective, packaged in a concise and entertaining format. A good book to keep close when drawing.
January 14, 2018
A great introduction that covers a range of techniques for using linear perspective. Some descriptions are hard to follow without some background knowledge or supplemental material.
Read
February 16, 2018The title says it all. The author explains perspective and gives useful examples. Great for any aspiring artists
October 17, 2019
Accurate, clear and to the point.
January 14, 2021
I didn't realize how old this was when I ordered it, but it taught me a hell of a lot more about perspective than the art classes i paid for and for far less money so if it ain't broke am i right
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