Printable 3-Point Grid, Looking Up
Towers and skyscrapers from the pavement. The verticals lean toward a zenith above the page.
What this grid is for
Skyscrapers, cathedrals, a giant seen from the ground, low-angle hero shots. The third vanishing point is above the paper; the horizon is low in the frame.
Three things to draw on it
A tower seen from the pavement, verticals converging toward the top of the page; a stack of shipping containers; a figure on a balcony seen from below.
Tips for this sheet
The third vanishing point is above the page, so verticals lean inward as they rise. Keep the camera tilt in mind: this sheet is 22° up. Match the 3-point guide's step order: horizon and two points first, then the verticals. If the terms are new, read how to draw 3-point perspective first; it uses the same camera settings as this template.
How to use it
Print the PDF at actual size and lay tracing paper or a thin sheet over it on a light pad, or use it directly and draw lightly so the printed lines do not fight your drawing. Each square is one metre on the ground; the eye level (the dashed horizon) is 1.6 m up, a standing adult. A door is about two squares tall, a person a little less, a car about four and a half squares long.
The verticals converge as well as the horizontals. Use the ochre lines for anything vertical and keep the horizon where the sheet puts it.
Want a different angle?
This sheet is fixed so that a class or a study group all works from the same grid. For any other rotation, lens or horizon, open the interactive three-point grid at these settings, adjust it, and export a PNG or SVG.
Questions
How far above the page is the third vanishing point?
At 22° of tilt with a 28 mm lens it is roughly two page-heights above the top edge. You do not need to reach it: the printed verticals already converge on it.
How do I print it at the right size?
Download the PDF for your paper size and print at 100% ("Actual size"), not "Fit to page". The one-metre squares then keep their proportions. For the PNG, set the print dialog to the same paper size.
Can I use it in Procreate, Clip Studio or Photoshop?
Yes. Download the PNG at 150 or 300 DPI and import it as a layer, lower its opacity and lock it. For a transparent version with exactly your own angle and lens, use the interactive tool instead.
Is it free to use in a classroom?
Yes. Print as many as you need for students. A link back is appreciated but not required.
Can I change the angle of the 3-Point Grid, Looking Up?
This template is fixed so that everyone gets the same sheet. For other angles, lenses or horizon heights, open the matching interactive grid; it exports PNG and SVG at any setting.