Point Perspectives (1,2,3)

1, 2, and 3 point perspectives are very useful art techniques to give your work the illusion of dimension and space. The "point" being referenced is the "vanishing point". 1 point perspective has only one vanishing point, while 2 point has two, 3 point has three, etc.

The simplest form of perspective is 1 point perspective. Only one vanishing point is applied here--hence the name "One Point Perspective":

 The next level is 2 point perspective. Now there are two vanishing points.

3 point perspective adds a third vanishing point above or below the horizon line. It can be seen as either a birds eye view or a worms eye view. 

 

Notice how dramatic the difference is within the same drawing when it is inverted (changing the position of the 3rd vanishing point from above the horizon line to below).