When to use one-point versus two-point perspective drawing?

Question

Are there any general rules of thumb on whether to use one-point or two-point perspective?

EDIT: I should point out that I'm asking this question in the context of general art and painting.

Answer 1

One point perspective is a special case of 2 point perspective, where the view plane and front plane of objects coincide perfectly.* So you would use 1-point perspective when something is head on. Examples include houses sided by a straight road, or a straight ahead shot of a skyscraper. 1-point perspective is good if you want to emphasize one thing or straightness.

Image 1: 1-P and 2-P perspective can and do live in same images.

Otherwise you would use 2 point or 3 point perspective.

* And again 2 point is similarly a special case of 3 point perspective. But a more common and normal situation for humans.

Answer 2

One Point Perspective and Two Point Perspectives serve slightly different purposes.

In general, if you want any of your vertical elements to be perpendicular to the Horizon line you would want to use a one-point perspective:

If you don't want that flat face then you're probably wanting to use two-point perspective:

Likewise on an interior if you want to see flat sides such as the back wall or the profile of furniture you'd want 1-pt perspective:

Compared to 2-pt perspective:

Here's another quick sketch showing how they differ. Notice the flat faces on the 1pt perspective... yet its actually in a way a 2-pt perspective -- the other vanishing point is just so far away that it appears to be a 1-pt perspective:

They're very closely related and can intersect with each other. Its basically about how far apart your Vanishing Points are, combined with what Joojaa mentioned in comments about the plane. If the object you're looking at rotates or the viewer is not looking straight at the object it can no longer be 1 pt perspective:

So if you want to see a flat vertical plane then you're looking at 1pt perspective.

these are not at all drawn accurately, just quick sketches to give you when to use one or the other

Answer 3

I'm not exactly clear on your question:

If you actually mean "whether" to use one or two-point perspective, the only rule is that you should use it when it helps achieve your goals. If you're having trouble imagining the correct lines for an object in 3D space, that's when you should pull out one of the point perspective methods. Use it when it's helpful.

On the other hand, if you meant when to use one-point "vs" two-point, then that's an entirely different answer. I would say there is no reason not to use both methods in the same drawing if it helps achieve your goal. For example, two star ships may be approaching from different origins (each requiring its own one-point perspective vanishing point), from over the horizon of a post apocalyptic city (the main horizon would need its own two-point vanishing point set, while the fallen and/or falling buildings may need individual two-point perspective vanishing point sets). In fact, two-point perspective is nothing more than two one-point perspective points. You could theoretically use as many as your geometry requires. The real world is a messy mish-mash of vanishing points in all directions, so there is no reason to limit your drawing to just one type.

Good luck, and happy drawing!

*EDIT: Here's an excellent article explaining the value and use of multiple vanishing points;