Stylization

Perspective Looks Wrong

Buildings and rooms look warped or off

Also known as: Perspective drawing problem · Wrong perspective · Vanishing point · Horizon line · Perspective grid · Distorted perspective painting

Pre-production Environment Workflow

Quick answer

Perspective looks wrong when the lines of the scene do not agree on a horizon line and shared vanishing points. Set the horizon line first, at the viewer's eye level, then draw all lines that run parallel in space toward the same vanishing point, one for each direction. Use a perspective grid or a 3D blockout as a guide, and check for a wide lens that stretches the edges, which makes forms look warped.

How to fix it

Block the scene in a 3D tool such as Blender, ZBrush or Unreal Engine, then paint over it, which is common in environment concept art and keeps perspective correct. Keep the horizon low for a monumental feel and high for an overview. Two-point perspective suits buildings, and three-point adds a third vanishing point for tall objects seen from above or below. Keep the field of view realistic.