Basic Perspective Drawing by SVS Learn

SVS Basic Perspective Drawing is an online class from the School of Visual Storytelling (SVS Learn), taught by illustrator David Hohn. It covers the perspective every illustrator needs first: horizon lines, vanishing points, one- and two-point perspective, and drawing ellipses that sit correctly in space. The class has 26 lessons with about three hours of video, five practice assignments and a final project. It is part of the SVS Learn membership rather than sold on its own.

The class opens Level 1 of the SVS Essentials curriculum, so it is the first perspective class most SVS students take. Its focus is practical: perspective as a tool for storytelling in illustration, explained simply, rather than as technical drafting.

What You Will Learn

• How linear and implied perspective work in illustration
• Horizon line, vanishing points, orthogonals and the cone of vision
• Drawing square planes and cubes in one-point perspective
• Two-point perspective, including objects above the horizon line
• Placing several objects with different vanishing points in one scene
• The anatomy of an ellipse and its major and minor axes
• Drawing confident straight lines and ellipses

Who Is SVS Basic Perspective For?

The class suits beginners and self-taught illustrators who have never studied perspective, or who learned it once and forgot it. It is especially useful if your scenes look flat or your objects seem to float. Children's book and comic artists will find it relevant, as the examples are aimed at illustration rather than architecture.

If you are already comfortable with two-point perspective, Advanced Perspective by David Hohn is a better match, followed by Practical Perspective.

Course Structure

The lessons alternate between short video lectures and assignments:

• Introduction: linear and implied perspective, drawing lines and ellipses
• Assignment 1: lines and ellipses
• One-point perspective: horizon line, vanishing points, cone of vision, square planes
• Assignments 2 and 3: square planes, cubes and one-point practice
• Two-point perspective: fundamentals, vanishing points, objects above the horizon, multiple objects
• Assignment 4: two-point practice
• Ellipses: anatomy of an ellipse, axes and a demonstration
• Assignment 5 and a final assignment with a downloadable brief

Price and Access

The class is included in the SVS Learn membership, which gives access to the whole class library. SVS lists its Studio membership at $29.95 a month, and its class pages show a $300 annual option; there is a 14-day free trial, which needs a card and turns into a paid subscription unless you cancel. The membership also includes live events and a monthly art challenge.

About the Instructor

David Hohn is an illustrator based in Portland, Oregon, and teaches perspective across several SVS classes. His clients include Scholastic, Random House, Electronic Arts and Nike.

How It Fits the SVS Curriculum

Basic Perspective Drawing is one of six classes in Level 1 of SVS Essentials, alongside How to Draw Everything, Visualizing Drawing in Perspective, Light and Shadow for Illustrators, The Magic of Color and Introduction to Prop Design. Together they cover the drawing, perspective, value and colour skills the later levels assume. Level 3 returns to the subject with Advanced Perspective and Practical Perspective, so the ideas in this class come back again when you start designing full environments.

Things to Consider

• Time: three hours of video, but the assignments are where you learn; allow several weeks of practice.
• Materials: pencil, paper and a ruler are enough for most assignments.
• Next steps: continue with Advanced Perspective and Practical Perspective, both by David Hohn.
• Alongside: How to Draw Everything and Visualizing Drawing in Perspective, also in Level 1, approach the same skills from different angles.
• Feedback: share your assignments in the SVS community or the monthly challenge.

Start the Course

Interested in learning with SVS Learn?

Start Basic Perspective Drawing

For the full curriculum and membership options, visit the official SVS Learn website.

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Last verified: October 26, 2026