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

If you want to learn to draw realistically, 3-D shapes are a foundation for doing so. Once you know how to imply multi-dimensional class, you can use your knowledge to all types of subjects.

Larn how to draw 3-D shapes and make your art pop off the page.

3d polygon shape

You lot don't need any special tools to larn this skill. I'chiliad using a pencil and paper, but feel free to use pens, colored pencils, crayons — whatever strikes your fancy.

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

i. 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 i:

When drawing a prism, kickoff with a elementary, flat triangle and small horizon point that's at the side of the shape. It doesn't matter which side you lot chose. Where you place the horizon signal determines the length and angle of your prism.

To create a pyramid, depict three lines, equally shown on the right to a higher place. In the center should exist a direct line. From the superlative of the straight line, draw 2 angled lines that are the aforementioned length. It's OK if the angles aren't exactly identical.

how to draw 3d triangle

Footstep ii:

Give your prism a iii-D appearance by cartoon two lines: one off the top corner and one off the base corner of the triangle that'south closer to the horizon bespeak. Draw the lines lightly all the way to the horizon bespeak. Then, close it off with a single line that's the same angle equally the nearest side of the triangle. Erase the lines extending to the horizon point.

For the pyramid, you'll terminate the drawing by 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 centre line.

2. How to describe cubes

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

draw a 3d cube

Stride 1:

To offset the first cube, draw 2 squares that are the same size. They need to overlap, but how much is up to you.

Describe the second cube much like yous did the pyramid. This time, you lot'll make three parallel vertical lines of the same size. The ii outer lines should offset and end at the same point, and the middle one should be shifted down a bit on the page.

how to draw cube

Stride 2:

Now it's all most connecting corners. On the first cube, employ a directly border to draw angled lines to match the respective edges. Then y'all'll connect the bottom correct corner of the first square to the lesser right corner of the second foursquare. Echo this will all iv corner.

For the second cube, connect the acme points of the iii lines with angled lines; repeat with the bottom points. Draw a point direct to a higher place the eye line — the distance between the top of the center line and the indicate should be about the length of the center line. Connect the tops of the outer ii lines to the point with angled lines.

three. How to depict a cylinder

How to draw 3d cylinder

Footstep 1:

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

drawing a cylinder part 2

Footstep ii:

Afterward yous have the oval down, draw 2 straight, perpendicular lines that come up from either end. These lines can be as long as you want and can go in any direction.

Step 3:

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

Tip: To make sure the bottom and top of your cylinder match, try turning the newspaper upside downwardly. It'll change your indicate of view and any inconsistencies will stand out.

4. How to draw a sphere

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

circle drawing

Easier:

There sphere looks all-time when information technology has shading, but you can also make it appear 3-D by drawing contour lines from top to lesser. Brand certain the curve mimic the curves of the circumvolve, with less exaggeration as you get closer to the middle.

contoured sphere

More than avant-garde:

While drawing a realistic sphere is worthy of its ain tutorial (this one has great step-past-step photos), I practice desire to requite you one quick and piece of cake way to depict a sphere. This method looks more lifelike than the instance above, but it's also much faster than drawing a very detailed sphere.

If you want to try simple shading, try a gradient from light to night beyond the sphere. In this example, the light is coming from the left, so the lightest signal is on the left of the sphere and the darkest is on the right. Meet how information technology looks more spherical?

shaded sphere

five. How to describe a cone

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

3d cone

Step ane:

Offset with a horizontal oval. It doesn't take to be perfect.

Step 2:

To finish, draw the ii sides of a triangle. The line for each side should starting time at either edge of the oval and meet in the middle to a higher place the center of the oval.

Tips for drawing 3-D shapes

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

Cartoon other 3-D shapes

Many objects you draw will fall into one of those five major shape categories. If non, retrieve to bank check your angles and make straight lines. I take 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.

Stride i:

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

outline of a 3d shape

Step 2:

I then drew the inside of the shape to convey its multi-dimensional feel. Comparison angles — from the object itself — helped me when drawing. I still had to go back and fix some lines, though.

outline of a 3d shape - progress

Step 3:

To give the shape even more presence, I shaded parts of it based on the angle of light. This conveys the unlike surface planes and sense of form. Shading is a complex subject that we don't have time to encompass in this mail service, but you tin can learn more than about it in the Craftsy form 10 Essential Techniques for Better Drawing.

3d polygon shape