Short Answer:

Perspective drawings are used to show objects as they appear to the human eye, giving a realistic 3D effect. However, sometimes these drawings can have distortions that make parts of the object look wrong. These distortions usually happen due to incorrect viewpoint, angle, or scaling.

Some common distortions in perspective drawings include foreshortening, overlapping, tilting of lines, and vanishing point errors. These problems can make objects appear stretched, bent, or misaligned. Understanding these distortions is important to draw realistic and accurate perspective sketches in mechanical or architectural work.

Detailed Explanation:

Common distortions in perspective drawings

Perspective drawing is a method used to show a 3D object on a flat surface, just like how our eyes see things in real life. It uses vanishing points and guidelines to create depth and realism. However, if the rules of perspective are not followed properly, the drawing may have distortions—which means parts of the image look unnatural, wrong, or confusing. These distortions make the drawing hard to understand or technically incorrect.

Let’s now understand the most common distortions that occur in perspective drawings in very simple steps.

1. Foreshortening distortion
   Foreshortening is when an object appears shorter than its actual size because it is angled away from the viewer. This is a natural effect in perspective drawings, but if not done properly, it can cause distortion.

• For example, a long rod pointing directly toward the viewer may look like a small dot if drawn wrongly.
• This can make it hard to judge the real length or shape of the object.

2. Vanishing point errors
   In perspective drawings, all lines going away from the viewer should meet at a vanishing point. If the vanishing point is placed wrongly or not used consistently, the object may look skewed or twisted.

• For example, if one side of a cube goes to a different vanishing point than the other, the cube will appear deformed.
• This makes the drawing look unrealistic and confusing.

3. Unequal scaling of parts
   In perspective, objects closer to the viewer look bigger, and those farther away look smaller. If this scaling is not done correctly, it causes a distortion where parts of the object appear too large or too small.

• For example, a car’s front may appear huge while the back is too tiny.
• This happens due to incorrect spacing between elements and wrong eye level.

4. Overlapping errors
   In real life, objects can block or cover parts of other objects. This is called overlapping. If the overlapping is not shown correctly, it can make it hard to understand which object is in front and which is behind.

• Sometimes lines from background objects appear in front, causing confusion.
• This leads to distortion in the depth and clarity of the drawing.

5. Tilted vertical lines
   In perspective drawings, especially with tall buildings or towers, vertical lines should remain straight and vertical. If vertical lines are accidentally drawn toward a vanishing point, the object appears to lean or fall.

• This is often called “keystone distortion.”
• It happens when the viewpoint is too close or the drawing angle is extreme.

6. Curved distortion from extreme angles
   When an object is drawn from a very close or very wide angle, straight lines may appear curved. This happens in wide-angle or fish-eye perspective drawings.

• For technical purposes, this distortion is not good because it changes the shape of the object.
• It should be avoided in mechanical and architectural drawings.

7. Wrong horizon line placement
   The horizon line shows the viewer’s eye level. If it is placed too high or too low, the object might appear floating or sunk into the ground.

• This changes the way the object relates to the viewer’s position.
• It can lead to an unrealistic or awkward appearance of the drawing.

How to avoid these distortions:

• Use correct vanishing points and guidelines
• Maintain equal spacing between lines and objects
• Keep vertical lines straight unless using fish-eye view
• Use reference drawings or real-life objects
• Practice perspective grid techniques
• Avoid extreme angles unless intentionally used for effect

Conclusion:

Perspective drawings give realistic 3D views of objects, but they can easily suffer from distortions if basic rules are not followed. Common distortions include foreshortening, vanishing point errors, tilted lines, and wrong scaling. These mistakes make the drawing look unnatural or difficult to understand. To create correct perspective sketches, it is important to use proper vanishing points, straight verticals, and correct proportioning. With practice and careful observation, these distortions can be reduced or completely avoided.