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Description
So far, we have seen the many things that can be done in the worlds of the three vanishing points, and related worlds.

But in the introduction I mentioned that there were pictures that could use up to SIX vanishing points!

To be honest, most artists and art I've seen usually do not go beyond the three. This is because those three deal with Depth, Width, and Height, and since these are what one tries to show on a flat surface (even the best computer screens are flat), there isn't really a need in most situations to go beyond that level.

Myself included.

Still, this website has shown many, many different styles. Just because I won't use much beyond the first three does not mean someone else won't want to. So, for you bold and curious, here at least is a basic introduction to the world of...THE FOURTH VANISHING POINT!

First, let's take a bit of time to look at the three images at the top of the page.

They each show a basic view of the One, Two, and Three Vanishing Points. You have probably noticed that for One Vanishing Point, the horizontal and vertical lines are "automatic;" only lines dealing with depth use the vanishing point. It does not have to be that rigid for everything, of course, but for blocks, it would be.

For the Two Vanishing Points, only the vertical lines (height) are automatic. All else depends on the two vanishing points used here.

Finally, for the image with Three Vanishing Points, there are NO automatic lines. EVERY line is dependent here on a vanishing point, for all three dimensions. This makes it the most complex, since you have three things to consider.

Now, this is what would make the idea of Four, Five, or Six Vanishing Points difficult to imagine. There are three spatial dimensions, and all three were covered by the first three vanishing points, so what is left?

Nothing, in that respect.

When going beyond the Third Vanishing Point, you don't add a dimension- you've already done that. From the fourth one on, you would be "warping" the first three. Going into abstract territory.

Look again at the images using two and three vanishing points. If we extend them vertically, then the two VP image would be a tower one is hovering in front of, looking straight at it. The one with three VPs looks as if one is looking downward while hovering in front of the tower.

So, what the fourth vanishing point might do is assume that your field of vision is such that you can see the tower going far up and far down AT THE SAME TIME. Since it would be going off into the distance in both directions at the same time, you would show it getting smaller and smaller as it did so in both directions!

The problem here is that you cannot use straight lines, which is what the first three vanishing points usually use. If you do, you would get something like the 2VP image on its side (try it and see).

And this is what makes the world of the Fourth Vanishing Point truly different from the other three: you are not merely adding extra vanishing points that act the same but are simply more numerous (as with a top view of a platform with several ramps leading up to it from the ground)...you must now use CURVED LINES!

And that is a whole new thing.

Below the top three images is a large example of something done with four vanishing points. It is a block that uses VP1 and VP2 just as any image with two vanishing points would, but the sides are no longer straight vertical lines: they are curved.

This is done with VP3 and VP4. The only straight line is the one directly between those two; unlike pictures with only VP1 and VP2, there is more than one line connecting them. Those must be curved.

The further away from the center those lines are, the more curved they must be. At some point they will form a circle; any ones closer will be more narrow, while any beyond the circle will be wider.

All I did was figure what curved lines would connect the top and bottom points on each side of the block, as shown. The result is something that looks as if it is being viewed on a tube covered with a mirror coating.

It also looks as if both the distant top and distant bottom are being seen at once.

If you move the block up higher- so its bottom is closer to the horizon between VP1 and VP2- then it will have a top part that is even more curved inward.

"But at that point wouldn't you use just three vanishing points, especially if the bottom is on or near or even above the horizon between VP1 and VP2?"

Probably yes, since the main reason for doing this is because the top and bottom are supposed to be going off into some considerable distance at the same time and you want to show that.

Or maybe you want a unique special effect?

You have to decide. Each new world means more and more decisions. But don't worry about trying something different!

Below the large block is a small one, one seen from above. Since you are NOT looking at the top and bottom at the same time going off into two distances, what this achieves is an interesting view of it; draw a number of them below the VP1 and VP2 horizon, and it looks as if a number of blocks are being pulled into a sort of vortex!

You can also draw the curved lines between VP1 and VP2, too. Turn the image on its side to see this.

Four Vanishing Points would usually be used for two basic reasons: a "warped vortex" look, or an attempt to show more of a scene than would normally be possible. Convex mirrors do this (although that is five vanishing points, but it's the same idea), which is why some rear view mirrors have them. There is absolutely no reason why this cannot be done for an extra-wide horizontal view, like showing all of a strip mall without being far away, which is what you'd normally have to do. Again, imagine an image seen in a tube with a mirror coating.

There is a "normal" application for a fourth vanishing point, by the way- turn the image on its side, and draw vertical lines between the top and bottom points. What you now have is a drawing of a big cylinder, or a round building, seen straight on. It's ledges would be outlined by the other curved lines, too. If you would like, you could use a vanishing point above it, so the vertical lines now lead to it, to show greater depth (as if you are looking up at it). Actually, this is a sort of close cousin to the Four Vanishing Point image, since only two are used, with curved lines between them.

Circles, curves- that is what this and the next two worlds involve!

And if you can master this and them, then you're better at this part than I am! If that happens, let me know, because your pictures will be well worth seeing!

Description
So far, we have seen the many things that can be done in the worlds of the three vanishing points, and related worlds.

But in the introduction I mentioned that there were pictures that could use up to SIX vanishing points!

To be honest, most artists and art I've seen usually do not go beyond the three. This is because those three deal with Depth, Width, and Height, and since these are what one tries to show on a flat surface (even the best computer screens are flat), there isn't really a need in most situations to go beyond that level.

Myself included.

Still, this website has shown many, many different styles. Just because I won't use much beyond the first three does not mean someone else won't want to. So, for you bold and curious, here at least is a basic introduction to the world of...THE FOURTH VANISHING POINT!

First, let's take a bit of time to look at the three images at the top of the page.

They each show a basic view of the One, Two, and Three Vanishing Points. You have probably noticed that for One Vanishing Point, the horizontal and vertical lines are "automatic;" only lines dealing with depth use the vanishing point. It does not have to be that rigid for everything, of course, but for blocks, it would be.

For the Two Vanishing Points, only the vertical lines (height) are automatic. All else depends on the two vanishing points used here.

Finally, for the image with Three Vanishing Points, there are NO automatic lines. EVERY line is dependent here on a vanishing point, for all three dimensions. This makes it the most complex, since you have three things to consider.

Now, this is what would make the idea of Four, Five, or Six Vanishing Points difficult to imagine. There are three spatial dimensions, and all three were covered by the first three vanishing points, so what is left?

Nothing, in that respect.

When going beyond the Third Vanishing Point, you don't add a dimension- you've already done that. From the fourth one on, you would be "warping" the first three. Going into abstract territory.

Look again at the images using two and three vanishing points. If we extend them vertically, then the two VP image would be a tower one is hovering in front of, looking straight at it. The one with three VPs looks as if one is looking downward while hovering in front of the tower.

So, what the fourth vanishing point might do is assume that your field of vision is such that you can see the tower going far up and far down AT THE SAME TIME. Since it would be going off into the distance in both directions at the same time, you would show it getting smaller and smaller as it did so in both directions!

The problem here is that you cannot use straight lines, which is what the first three vanishing points usually use. If you do, you would get something like the 2VP image on its side (try it and see).

And this is what makes the world of the Fourth Vanishing Point truly different from the other three: you are not merely adding extra vanishing points that act the same but are simply more numerous (as with a top view of a platform with several ramps leading up to it from the ground)...you must now use CURVED LINES!

And that is a whole new thing.

Below the top three images is a large example of something done with four vanishing points. It is a block that uses VP1 and VP2 just as any image with two vanishing points would, but the sides are no longer straight vertical lines: they are curved.

This is done with VP3 and VP4. The only straight line is the one directly between those two; unlike pictures with only VP1 and VP2, there is more than one line connecting them. Those must be curved.

The further away from the center those lines are, the more curved they must be. At some point they will form a circle; any ones closer will be more narrow, while any beyond the circle will be wider.

All I did was figure what curved lines would connect the top and bottom points on each side of the block, as shown. The result is something that looks as if it is being viewed on a tube covered with a mirror coating.

It also looks as if both the distant top and distant bottom are being seen at once.

If you move the block up higher- so its bottom is closer to the horizon between VP1 and VP2- then it will have a top part that is even more curved inward.

"But at that point wouldn't you use just three vanishing points, especially if the bottom is on or near or even above the horizon between VP1 and VP2?"

Probably yes, since the main reason for doing this is because the top and bottom are supposed to be going off into some considerable distance at the same time and you want to show that.

Or maybe you want a unique special effect?

You have to decide. Each new world means more and more decisions. But don't worry about trying something different!

Below the large block is a small one, one seen from above. Since you are NOT looking at the top and bottom at the same time going off into two distances, what this achieves is an interesting view of it; draw a number of them below the VP1 and VP2 horizon, and it looks as if a number of blocks are being pulled into a sort of vortex!

You can also draw the curved lines between VP1 and VP2, too. Turn the image on its side to see this.

Four Vanishing Points would usually be used for two basic reasons: a "warped vortex" look, or an attempt to show more of a scene than would normally be possible. Convex mirrors do this (although that is five vanishing points, but it's the same idea), which is why some rear view mirrors have them. There is absolutely no reason why this cannot be done for an extra-wide horizontal view, like showing all of a strip mall without being far away, which is what you'd normally have to do. Again, imagine an image seen in a tube with a mirror coating.

There is a "normal" application for a fourth vanishing point, by the way- turn the image on its side, and draw vertical lines between the top and bottom points. What you now have is a drawing of a big cylinder, or a round building, seen straight on. It's ledges would be outlined by the other curved lines, too. If you would like, you could use a vanishing point above it, so the vertical lines now lead to it, to show greater depth (as if you are looking up at it). Actually, this is a sort of close cousin to the Four Vanishing Point image, since only two are used, with curved lines between them.

Circles, curves- that is what this and the next two worlds involve!

And if you can master this and them, then you're better at this part than I am! If that happens, let me know, because your pictures will be well worth seeing!