If perspective feels confusing or “too technical,” you’re not alone. I hear this all the time from artists who want dimensional scenes but don’t want a math lesson. In this post, I’ll show you how to use Procreate’s built-in perspective tools to quickly sketch, refine, and ink objects—from a vintage suitcase to a cute plant—so you can build sellable, story-filled compositions. You’ll learn 1-point and 2-point perspective, how to place details at the correct angles, and a few quick tricks for finding centers and curves.
Watch the Tutorial
This tutorial is part of my iPad Art Breaks series—bite-sized sessions to help you grow real, usable skills fast. You can watch the full video or keep reading for the complete step-by-step breakdown. Either way, you’ll walk away with a finished piece and a process you can use again and again.
The Steps
1) Choose an Object + Set an Intention:
Start simple. Box-like shapes are your friend while you’re learning: suitcase, book, cereal box, camera, matchbox. I’m drawing a vintage suitcase for a greeting card that says “Here’s to the road ahead,” with a winding road around it. Having a purpose helps you make composition decisions as you go.
2) Turn On Procreate’s Perspective Guide:
- Tap Actions (wrench) → Canvas → Drawing Guide → Edit Drawing Guide → Perspective.
- Tap once for 1-point perspective. Tap twice (two locations) for 2-point perspective.
- You can drag vanishing points on or off the canvas. Off-canvas points often look more natural.
- Adjust thickness, opacity, and color of the guide so it’s easy to see.
Quick rule of thumb:
- 1-Point: front facing you; all depth lines recede to a single point.
- 2-Point: turned at an angle; left edges go left, right edges go right.
3) Block the Big Box First (2-Point Demo: Suitcase)
Light sketch the front vertical edge of the suitcase.
Decide the overall width by following the left vanishing point for the left face, and the right vanishing point for the right face.
Pick the thickness of the form with one “measuring bar.” This first thickness controls all other thicknesses—commit to it.
Use Procreate’s colored guide lines to angle each edge correctly. Don’t stress about wobble—handmade is good.
4) Place Details in the Correct Perspective
Handles, straps, latches:
Vertical elements stay straight up and down (hold one finger for a perfect vertical).
Anything that sits on a face of the suitcase uses that face’s vanishing direction.
For a handle, angle the top and bottom to match the nearest guide lines.
5) Find the True Center (so things don’t look “off”)
To center a handle or badge:
Draw light lines corner-to-corner to get the center of the face.
From that center, run a line toward the correct vanishing point.
Use the intersection as your placement guide. You’ll be surprised how far off your eyeballing can be!
Lower your sketch opacity.
On a new layer, ink with a rough, slightly wonky line (I use my free Rough Inking brush).
Embrace small imperfections. A few intentional wiggles beat sterile, overly perfect lines—especially on vintage objects.
7) Add Details and Build a Sellable Composition
Straps: follow vanishing lines on the suitcase’s surface; keep the strap’s verticals truly vertical.
- Stickers: avoid perfect circles when the surface is angled—use ovals and odd shapes for a natural look.
Don’t stop at an exercise. Group your suitcase layers and compose:
- Add your lettering (“Here’s to the road ahead”).
This approach works for calendar pages, greeting cards, and surface patterns—perspective helps your viewer “step into” the scene.
8) Switch Context: 1-Point Perspective (Plant in a Box)
Perspective isn’t only for cubes. Try a simple plant in a planter using 1-point:
Draw a box using the single vanishing point for depth.
To place an oval opening:
Find the rectangle’s center (corner-to-corner).
Use vanishing lines to locate the midpoints on each side.
Sketch your oval touching those midpoints—wide across, shallow front-to-back.
Add stems/leaves coming out of the opening. Keep the pot’s top ellipse and interior rim consistent with the same vanishing logic.
Take the Next Step
Want that loose, hand-drawn ink line I used here? Grab the free Rough Inking brush from my Everything Bagel set and re-ink your suitcase today. Then, level up your scenes with Easy Modern Florals or Flourishes Made Easy to add organic contrast to your angular perspective pieces. Tag me @LizKohlerBrown—I’d love to cheer you on and share your wins.
Drawing in Perspective
- Master 1, 2 & 3-point perspective
- Draw shelves, rooms & objects from any angle
- Use Procreate or any drawing tool with the free workbook
