How To Draw 3D Drawing Easy
‘Can’t draw a straight line?’ You may think that you don’t have the artistic talent it takes to draw in three dimensions. But don’t let that stop you! There’s no need to feel overwhelmed by 3D drawing – even with the simplest shapes, you can learn the basics and get creative.
The trick to easy 3D drawing is all in the approach. Instead of thinking of 3D as a complex and mysterious art form, focus on the handy little tricks and techniques. Start by breaking down each drawing into basic shapes, using as few lines as possible.
A good way to help you do this is to sketch a 2D representation of a 3D shape, like a cube or a pyramid. Be imaginative and try to think of your 2D drawings as actual 3D objects, a technique known as mental rotation. This will help you draw easy 3D forms with less effort.
Understanding Angles
Understand the principle behind 3D drawing by imaging a 3D space inside your head. You can think of it like a sandbox– this’ll help you get a 3D model down on paper.
Next, think of objects in terms of angles. Represent the angles of a box on paper and voilà – a 3D box graphic.
Master the angles and lines of your 3D drawings and you’ll soon find yourself thinking in three dimensions. When you do, you’ll be able to highlight 3D effects without much effort at all. Begin by visualising the principal coordinates of a 3D object.
Adding Perspective
Adding a sense of perspective will multiply your 3D effect. Perspective tricks can push near objects further from the viewer and make a 3D drawing seem more realistic.
Look for common objects and pick something to focus on, like a street or mountain. Think of your drawing in a ‘box’ – the edges of your image will be the furthest away from one another making it appear more real.
Look for converging lines and test yourself by intentionally drawing something with a bad perspective. Drawing a cube with a bad perspective, for example, is a great way to test yourself. Once you have the hang of it, try scaling up to objects with more complex shapes and details.
Enhancing the Image
You are now ready to think about the details – texturing, highlighting, and darkening the surface of an object. Start with simple shapes and get creative with your coloring to make it more real.
Provide a sense of dimension through shading. First, shade corners and ridges, as well as smooth surfaces. This’ll make it easier to guess the shape of an object and bring it to life.
Once you understand the basics, it’s time to practice. Try to identify shapes that have similar angles and lines and challenge yourself in recreating those. After all, practice makes perfect. The more you sketch 3D objects, the easier you’ll find it.
Creating Perspective Drawings
It’s easy to create a perspective drawing when you know how. Draw two lines across the canvas and extend them to the corners of the image. This will help you channel the perspective. As a bonus, it makes composition a lot easier too.
Perspective also changes with time as it visually reveals changes in a 3D shape. Appearance comes from the fact that in classic linear perspective, the further away from the viewer, the less distorted a form appears. Try to think ahead and increase the complexity of your perspective sketches.
Now that you know the basics to 3D objects, test your new-found drawing ability with the drawing supplies you have. You can also practice with a pencil and line guides. There are several reference books on 3D drawing that you can refer to for structural clarity. With practice, you’ll paint a better world, full of immersive 3D shapes!
