Drawing 3-D Shapes: 5 Tutorials and Adept Tips & Tricks

If you lot want to learn to draw realistically, three-D shapes are a foundation for doing and then. Once you know how to imply multi-dimensional form, you can employ your noesis to all types of subjects.

Learn how to draw 3-D shapes and brand your art pop off the page.

3d polygon shape

Yous don't need any special tools to learn this skill. I'm using a pencil and paper, simply feel free to use pens, colored pencils, crayons — whatsoever strikes your fancy.

Here are drawing tutorials for five common 3-D shapes with some helpful tips and tricks for drawing them. Each is broken down into simple steps that helps build the overall class.

1. How to draw 3-D triangles

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

how to draw a 3d triangle

Step 1:

When drawing a prism, first with a simple, flat triangle and modest horizon indicate that's at the side of the shape. Information technology doesn't matter which side you chose. Where yous identify the horizon point determines the length and angle of your prism.

To create a pyramid, depict three lines, as shown on the right above. In the eye should be a directly line. From the top of the straight line, draw ii angled lines that are the same length. It's OK if the angles aren't exactly identical.

how to draw 3d triangle

Step ii:

Give your prism a 3-D appearance by drawing two lines: 1 off the peak corner and one off the base corner of the triangle that's closer to the horizon point. Draw the lines lightly all the style to the horizon point. Then, close it off with a single line that's the same angle as the nearest side of the triangle. Erase the lines extending to the horizon point.

For the pyramid, you'll finish the drawing past connecting the three lines at the bottom. Depict a dotted horizontal line to connect the two angled lines, and use angled lines to connect each angled line to the center line.

2. How to draw cubes

Cubes can be drawn in multiple ways, and here, I've created two.

draw a 3d cube

Step 1:

To offset the first cube, depict two squares that are the aforementioned size. They need to overlap, but how much is upward to yous.

Draw the second cube much like you lot did the pyramid. This fourth dimension, you'll make 3 parallel vertical lines of the same size. The ii outer lines should start and finish at the aforementioned point, and the centre i should be shifted downwards a bit on the page.

how to draw cube

Footstep 2:

At present it'due south all virtually connecting corners. On the get-go cube, utilize a straight edge to depict angled lines to match the corresponding edges. Then you'll connect the bottom right corner of the first square to the lesser right corner of the second square. Echo this volition all four corner.

For the second cube, connect the meridian points of the three lines with angled lines; repeat with the bottom points. Draw a indicate direct above the centre line — the distance betwixt the summit of the centre line and the bespeak should exist nigh the length of the eye line. Connect the tops of the outer 2 lines to the point with angled lines.

3. How to draw a cylinder

How to draw 3d cylinder

Footstep one:

Start with an oval. Don't worry if you tin't draw ane perfectly right away — I had to redo mine many times! You could trace something, as well.

drawing a cylinder part 2

Step 2:

Subsequently you have the oval down, depict two direct, perpendicular lines that come from either terminate. These lines tin be as long as you want and tin go in whatever management.

Footstep 3:

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

Tip: To make sure the bottom and superlative of your cylinder match, try turning the paper upside down. It'll change your point of view and whatever inconsistencies will stand out.

four. How to draw a sphere

There are several ways to describe a sphere, ranging from unproblematic to very complex. No matter how much you desire to challenge yourself, a cartoon of a sphere will start with a simple circle. Draw i freehand or trace a stencil or household item.

circle drawing

Easier:

At that place sphere looks best when it has shading, only yous can too make it appear three-D by cartoon contour lines from meridian to bottom. Brand sure the curve mimic the curves of the circle, with less exaggeration as yous get closer to the middle.

contoured sphere

More advanced:

While cartoon a realistic sphere is worthy of its ain tutorial (this one has great step-past-step photos), I do want to give you one quick and easy way to draw a sphere. This method looks more lifelike than the example above, simply it's too much faster than drawing a very detailed sphere.

If you desire to endeavor simple shading, effort a gradient from calorie-free to night across the sphere. In this example, the light is coming from the left, so the lightest bespeak 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 draw a cone

A cone is a cantankerous between a cylinder and a pyramid. So nosotros'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.

Footstep 2:

To finish, draw the 2 sides of a triangle. The line for each side should start at either edge of the oval and meet in the middle above the center of the oval.

Tips for drawing three-D shapes

  • When trying to draw something three-D, straight lines are important. Use a straight edge (like a ruler) when you tin. Even if you lot don't have a ruler, something that's flat and made out of a sturdy fabric will exercise.
  • Be aware of the angles of lines. Things like a cube, for case, require parallel lines to give them their shape. Others, like a cone, can have a diverseness of angles. Compare angles by holding your pencil up to the lines. If they match, then your lines are probably parallel. If you lot want to get really technical, you tin utilize a protractor.
  • Pencils and erasers are your friend. Whenever possible, describe with pencil to go the angles and lines right.

Drawing other 3-D shapes

Many objects you draw will fall into i of those five major shape categories. If not, call back to check your angles and brand straight lines. I have this ceramic polygon shape that doesn't really fit as a cube, cone or a prism. Here's how I made it come to life.

Step one:

By starting with a direct edge, I was able to make the outline of the shape.

outline of a 3d shape

Step 2:

I so drew the inside of the shape to convey its multi-dimensional feel. Comparing angles — from the object itself — helped me when drawing. I still had to become dorsum and fix some lines, though.

outline of a 3d shape - progress

Step iii:

To give the shape fifty-fifty more presence, I shaded parts of it based on the angle of lite. This conveys the different surface planes and sense of course. Shading is a complex subject that nosotros don't have time to cover in this mail, but you tin can learn more about information technology in the Craftsy class 10 Essential Techniques for Better Drawing.

3d polygon shape