Drawing iii-D Shapes: five Tutorials and Expert Tips & Tricks

If you lot want to larn to draw realistically, 3-D shapes are a foundation for doing and then. Once yous know how to imply multi-dimensional form, you can use your cognition to all types of subjects.

Acquire how to describe iii-D shapes and brand your art pop off the page.

3d polygon shape

You lot don't demand any special tools to learn this skill. I'thou using a pencil and paper, but feel free to employ pens, colored pencils, crayons — whatsoever strikes your fancy.

Here are drawing tutorials for v common 3-D shapes with some helpful tips and tricks for drawing them. Each is broken downwardly into uncomplicated steps that helps build the overall form.

1. How to draw iii-D triangles

There are two types of multi-dimensional triangles: prisms (left) and pyramids (right).

how to draw a 3d triangle

Step 1:

When drawing a prism, start with a simple, apartment triangle and modest horizon point that's at the side of the shape. It doesn't thing which side y'all chose. Where you place the horizon betoken determines the length and angle of your prism.

To create a pyramid, describe three lines, as shown on the right in a higher place. In the middle should be a direct line. From the top of the straight line, describe two angled lines that are the aforementioned length. It'southward OK if the angles aren't exactly identical.

how to draw 3d triangle

Stride 2:

Requite your prism a 3-D appearance past drawing ii lines: ane off the top corner and one off the base corner of the triangle that's closer to the horizon point. Depict the lines lightly all the way to the horizon bespeak. And so, close it off with a single line that'south the same angle as the nearest side of the triangle. Erase the lines extending to the horizon signal.

For the pyramid, you'll cease the cartoon by connecting the 3 lines at the lesser. Draw a dotted horizontal line to connect the two angled lines, and use angled lines to connect each angled line to the middle line.

2. How to describe cubes

Cubes can be drawn in multiple ways, and hither, I've created ii.

draw a 3d cube

Footstep 1:

To start the showtime cube, draw two squares that are the same size. They need to overlap, just how much is upward to y'all.

Depict the second cube much like you did the pyramid. This time, yous'll make three parallel vertical lines of the same size. The two outer lines should beginning and end at the aforementioned point, and the middle 1 should exist shifted down a bit on the page.

how to draw cube

Step two:

Now information technology'due south all about connecting corners. On the first cube, use a straight border to depict angled lines to friction match the corresponding edges. So you'll connect the bottom correct corner of the showtime square to the bottom correct corner of the second foursquare. Repeat this will all four corner.

For the 2nd cube, connect the top points of the 3 lines with angled lines; repeat with the bottom points. Depict a point straight to a higher place the center line — the distance between the height of the eye line and the point should be about the length of the centre line. Connect the tops of the outer two lines to the betoken with angled lines.

3. How to draw a cylinder

How to draw 3d cylinder

Pace one:

Showtime with an oval. Don't worry if y'all can't draw one perfectly right away — I had to redo mine many times! You could trace something, as well.

drawing a cylinder part 2

Stride 2:

After y'all have the oval down, depict two direct, perpendicular lines that come up from either end. These lines can be every bit long every bit you desire and can go in any management.

Step three:

Connect the direct lines with a curved line that mimics the roundness of the oval.

Tip: To make sure the bottom and top of your cylinder match, endeavour turning the paper upside downwardly. It'll alter your point of view and any inconsistencies volition stand out.

4. How to describe a sphere

There are several ways to draw a sphere, ranging from simple to very complex. No matter how much you want to challenge yourself, a drawing of a sphere will start with a simple circle. Draw 1 freehand or trace a stencil or household detail.

circle drawing

Easier:

At that place sphere looks all-time when it has shading, merely you tin also brand information technology appear 3-D past cartoon contour lines from tiptop to bottom. Make sure the bend mimic the curves of the circle, with less exaggeration equally you go closer to the middle.

contoured sphere

More than advanced:

While drawing a realistic sphere is worthy of its own tutorial (this one has great pace-past-step photos), I do want to give you lot 1 quick and easy style to describe a sphere. This method looks more than lifelike than the instance above, merely information technology's also much faster than drawing a very detailed sphere.

If you want to try simple shading, try a gradient from light to dark across the sphere. In this example, the lite is coming from the left, then the lightest indicate is on the left of the sphere and the darkest is on the right. See how it looks more spherical?

shaded sphere

5. How to describe a cone

A cone is a cantankerous between a cylinder and a pyramid. So we'll take what we know from both to draw this 3-D shape.

3d cone

Step i:

Start with a horizontal oval. It doesn't accept to be perfect.

Step ii:

To finish, depict the two sides of a triangle. The line for each side should kickoff at either border of the oval and see in the heart above the center of the oval.

Tips for drawing 3-D shapes

  • When trying to draw something 3-D, straight lines are of import. Use a straight edge (similar a ruler) when you can. Even if yous don't take a ruler, something that'due south flat and made out of a sturdy material will do.
  • Be aware of the angles of lines. Things like a cube, for instance, require parallel lines to requite them their shape. Others, like a cone, can take a variety of angles. Compare angles past property your pencil upwardly to the lines. If they match, then your lines are probably parallel. If you want to get actually technical, you can use a protractor.
  • Pencils and erasers are your friend. Whenever possible, draw with pencil to get the angles and lines right.

Drawing other 3-D shapes

Many objects y'all describe will fall into i of those 5 major shape categories. If not, remember to check your angles and make straight lines. I have this ceramic polygon shape that doesn't really fit equally a cube, cone or a prism. Here's how I made information technology come to life.

Footstep 1:

By starting with a straight border, I was able to brand the outline of the shape.

outline of a 3d shape

Pace ii:

I so drew the within of the shape to convey its multi-dimensional experience. Comparison angles — from the object itself — helped me when drawing. I notwithstanding had to go back and fix some lines, though.

outline of a 3d shape - progress

Step iii:

To requite the shape even more than presence, I shaded parts of it based on the angle of light. This conveys the different surface planes and sense of form. Shading is a complex subject that we don't have time to cover in this post, but yous tin learn more about information technology in the Craftsy class ten Essential Techniques for Better Drawing.

3d polygon shape