What is the term for the point on a perspective sketch where "parallel" lines converge?

The term for the point on a perspective sketch where parallel lines converge is known as the vanishing point. In perspective drawing, the vanishing point is crucial as it creates the illusion of depth and helps to establish the viewer's perspective. As lines recede into the distance, they appear to converge at this point, allowing artists and draftspeople to create more realistic representations of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface.

Understanding the vanishing point is essential for accurately depicting perspective in artwork or architectural diagrams. It helps to maintain proportionality and align elements in the drawing, guiding the viewer's eye to understand the spatial relationships within the scene. This technique is used across various fields, including graphic design, architecture, and visual art, to achieve a sense of realism and dimension.

In contrast, terms like focus point, center point, and view point refer to different concepts in drawing and visual representation. The focus point may relate more to the center of interest in a composition, while the center point often refers to a geometric center that is not necessarily related to perspective. The view point, on the other hand, indicates the position from which the viewer observes the scene, which can affect the appearance of the vanishing point but is not synonymous with it.