Vanishing Point: Block Letters

Students learn how to draw block letters and add dimension by extruding them to a vanishing point.

Materials:
drawing pad
pencil
ruler
eraser
crayons

Intro: Block Letters
Block letters are letter formed by combining squares or blocks. They are very square in shape.

Instructions:
We will be drawing the outline of these letters. Students will begin with drawing the first initial of their name. Continue to practice on this page, first graders with their first initial and third graders with their first name.

Intro: Vanishing Point
Explain one point perspective, how objects get smaller the further away they are from the observer. Demonstrate using a ruler to draw lines from the edge of the letters of a name to a vanishing point on the horizon. Refer to the superman logo or opening credits of star wars.

Instructions:
Once students understand the concept, have students start a new page and draw a horizon line. Place one vanishing point in the center of the horizon line.

Then have them draw either their first initial or name above the horizon line. Starting from the bottom of the left letter, left edge draw lines to the vanishing point from all bottom edges. Then draw all lines from the outside edges, BUT without intersecting or drawing inside any previously drawn line. Refer to playdough being extruded, that those areas are solid and you would not be able to see through them, that the lines exist but will not be seen. Then repeat with any interior edges.

Students can then color each extruded areas a different color, light to dark from their name to the vanishing point. Their name should be the lightest area.

Vocabulary:
block letters
horizon
horizon line
vanishing point
perspective
extrude
intersect

Review:
Extruding block letters

For Further Study:
Students can be asked to draw and extrude shapes, or to draw below the horizon line.