Vanishing point - Definition and Overview

A vanishing point is a point in a perspective drawing where parallel lines seem to converge into. The number and placement of the vanishing points determines which perspective technique is being used.

• linear perspective is drawing with 1-3 vanishing points.
• curvilinear perspective is drawing with 5 vanishing points mapped into a circle with 4 VPs at the cardinal headings N,W,S,E and one at the circle origin.
• reverse perspective is drawing with vanishing points that are placed outside the painting with the illusion that they are "in front of" the painting.

Vanishing Point was a 1971 movie starring Barry Newman and remade for TV in 1997 starring Viggo Mortensen.