How to Draw a One-Point Perspective Sketch of a City by the Sea

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to draw a one-point perspective sketch of a city by the sea.

Step 1: Establish the Horizon Line and Vanishing Point

• Begin by drawing a horizontal line across your page; this represents the horizon.
  
• Place a small “X” or dot in the center of the horizon line—this is the vanishing point.
  
• From this vanishing point, draw two diagonal lines extending down to the bottom corners of the page to create a perspective grid for the street or canal.
  

Step 2: Sketch the Building Outlines

• Draw the basic outer walls of buildings on either side of the vanishing point using straight vertical lines.
  
• Use the diagonal perspective lines to angle the tops and bottoms of the buildings, helping them recede toward the vanishing point.
  
• Ensure that the buildings get smaller and narrower as they approach the center, emphasizing depth.
  

Step 3: Add Doors and Windows

• Add rectangular doors and windows to each building face, keeping them aligned with the perspective.
  
• Make windows and doors on buildings closer to the viewer larger, and those closer to the vanishing point smaller.
  
• Maintain consistent spacing and shape to preserve the realistic perspective.
  

Step 4: Include Details and Environment

• Lightly sketch clouds in the sky to add atmosphere.
  
• Begin drawing wavy lines across the ground to suggest water, indicating the city is by the sea or a canal.
  
• Refine the rooftops and window details to enhance realism.
  

Step 5: Refine the Structures

• Deepen the building lines, fix angles, and clean up overlaps or stray lines.
  
• Emphasize depth and shadow by thickening the building outlines farther from the vanishing point.
  
• Adjust reflections or soft ripples in the water for more detail and visual interest.
  

Step 6: Add the Final Touches

• Draw a small boat or sailboat on the water, keeping it in perspective with the rest of the scene.
  
• Add shading to the buildings, water, and clouds to give texture and depth.
  
• Finalize the drawing by erasing unnecessary guidelines and reinforcing important lines.