January 23, 2026 | Quebec

The Foundations of Drawing and Perspective in 3D Animation

Before modeling a character or animating a complex 3D scene, it is essential to understand how shapes, volume, and space are visually represented. Drawing and perspective form the foundation of strong 3D animation skills.

In the 3D Modeling Animation Art and Design - NTL.0Z program at CDI College, these artistic foundations are introduced early to help students develop a solid understanding of form, proportion, and spatial representation.

Understanding Shape, Volume, and Proportion Through Drawing

Drawing builds observation and visual analysis skills. Throughout the program, students learn to:

• work with lines, shapes, and volume;
• apply proportion rules to objects and characters;
• use shading and lighting techniques;
• structure images using composition principles;
• refine observation and visual analysis skills.

These abilities are essential for accurately translating ideas, both on paper and in digital environments.

Perspective: Structuring Space in 2D and 3D Animation

Perspective plays a key role in representing depth, scale, and spatial relationships within a scene. It is used in both drawing and 3D modeling. Students learn to apply:

• one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective;
• object and character placement within space;
• environment and scene construction;
• perspective techniques used in background and environment drawing.

These concepts are directly applied to scene creation and 3D environment modeling.

From Traditional Drawing to 3D Modeling

Drawing and perspective are not taught in isolation. They directly support later stages of the program, including:

• character and object modeling;
• environment and prop creation;
• texturing, lighting, and shading;
• staging and visual composition.

Understanding form in two dimensions makes it easier to create and manipulate objects in three dimensions.

Artistic Skills Applied Throughout the Program

In 3D animation, drawing and perspective support multiple stages of production, including:

• character design;
• storyboarding;
• camera angles and framing;
• visual consistency across scenes;
• believable environments and spatial depth.

In the 3D Modeling Animation Art and Design - NTL.0Z program, these skills are developed early and reinforced throughout modeling, animation, and rendering courses.

Mastering drawing and perspective provides essential tools for understanding space, form, and movement. These artistic foundations play a critical role in progressing through 3D animation training and approaching more technical production stages with confidence.

👉 Learn more about the 3D Modeling Animation Art and Design - NTL.0Z program

FAQ

1. Why is drawing important in 3D animation?
Drawing develops observation skills and an understanding of shape, proportion, and volume, which are essential for 3D modeling and animation.

2. What perspective concepts are covered in the program?
The program covers one-point, two-point, and three-point perspectives and applies them to characters, environments, and scene construction.

3. Are these skills used beyond drawing courses?
Yes. Drawing and perspective support 3D modeling, storyboarding, animation, and rendering throughout the program.