One Point Perspective Tutorial in Photoshop

This tutorial covers the concept of perspective.perspective is the key concept in matte painting. We have three types in perspective:

One point perspective
Two point perspective
Multi point perspective

The points used for drawing perspective lines are known as vanishing point.In this tutorial we are dealing with one point perspective.

Step 1

Before drawing the perspective lines we have to locate the vanishing point of the scene given. In the above pic we located a vanishing point,where all the lines are converging.Once we finish locating the vanishing point we can move to the next step.

Step 2

Make a new layer and select Line Tool(U) and draw the perspective lines from the vanishing point as shown.

Step 3

Now draw a block taking the perspective lines as reference in a new layer.

NOTE : The block should be drawn in between two parallel perspective lines.

Step 4

Cut a portion from the resource collected and import it into the work area and give the layer a name (block front view),select the Move Tool(V) and hold the (Ctrl) key and transform the layer to fit the perspective.

Step 5

Duplicate the front view layer and resize it to fit the rear part of the block.

Step 6

Select the Pen Tool(P) and select the area needed for the side view of the block and right click >Make selection, then press Ctrl+J to separate the selected area into new layer.

Step 7

Import the previously selected layer into work area and transform it to fit the perspective as mentioned in the step 4.

Step 8

Select the part that is to be removed from the “side view” layer with Pen Tool(P),and erase it.

Step 9 – Reflection

Duplicate the “box side” layer,hold the ‘Ctrl’ key and click ‘J’ (Ctrl+J) to duplicate it. Now transform the layer vertically downwards. Holding the ‘Ctrl’ key having the ‘Move Tool'(V) selected adjust the reflection layer to the perspective.

Step 10

In the same way as mentioned in the before step duplicate the ‘box front’ and ‘box rear’ layers and arrange them as shown.

Step 11

Now merge all the the box layers,and name it ‘Box 1’. Keeping the ‘box 1’ layer selected go to Image >> Adjustments >> Exposure, and adjust the following values :

Exposure value to (+1.50)
Offset to (+0.0020)
Gamma Correction to (1.08)

Step 12

Now go to Filter >> Brush Strokes >> Accented Edges, and change the values :

Edge width: 2
Edge Brightness: 29
Smoothness: 3

Step 13

Similarly merge the reflection layers and add ‘Accented Edges’ filter to the shadow layer. Since we used the same filter in the previous step we can add it to shadow layer just by holding Ctrl and press F (Ctrl+F).

Step 14

Since the boxes are flying in air we can see their bases in the reflection. Select the Pen Tool(P) and draw the base following the perspective line. After forming the shape with Pen Tool right click in the selected area and select ‘Make Selection‘.

Step 15

Fill the selected area with #a5d7ee,now select the smooth brush and add the color #4db3db from the corner to give the shadow depth. After finishing the painting work duplicate the layer and place it on the other end of the box.

Step 16

Decrease the opacity of the shadow layer to 60%, then select a smooth brush and erase the shadow layer as shown.

Step 17

Merge both the box and shadow layers and duplicate them to form a new box. Flip the duplicated layer horizontally and resize it to show that it is far from the box 1.

Step 18

Select the background layer and change the Exposure settings :

Exposure:+1.12
Offset:-0.0061
Gamma Correction:1.09

Step 19

Now select the Lossy Tool(L) and select the area where you can see the sand and give the selection 30 pixels feather radius.
Then go to Image >> Adjustments >> Selective Colour and adjust the values as shown.

Step 20

Let’s add some glow inbetween the two rocky hills. Make a new layer,and select a soft brush and paint white colour at the center.The brush size is choosen depending on the amount of glow required.