How To Draw A Armor
Armors are the pinnacle of protection, and drawing one in detail can be quite daunting. But fear not! With the right set of tools and a splash of creativity, you can tap into your inner block of steel and draw a suit of armor fit for a medieval kingdom.
First, sketch out the outline of your armor. Think about the parts that make up a piece of armor, such as breastplate, greaves, and shoulder plates. Visualize how these fit together, sketching out their rough position. Equally important is deciding which materials you want to make up the armor, such as metal, leather, or plates.
Choose a perspective. Start by deciding which type of view you would like the armor to be seen in. Isometric drawings can be quite effective in showing how all the parts fit together. If that’s too overwhelming, sketch a frontal or side view of the armor, allowing you to focus more on the details.
Unleash the details. The small but visible details are what sets a good armor apart from a great one. Take into account other elements that form part of the armor, such as hinges, straps, rivets, and buckles. Make sure the type and positioning of these elements are in-keeping with your chosen theme.
Form and shape. Now it’s time to add more depth to your armor. Look to the shape and form of real armor pieces and note how they naturally curve and flatten, painting in and around these shapes with your pencil. Don’t forget to add shadows, too – these enhance the realism of your armor.
Highlights and shadows. The final piece of the puzzle is to bring your armor to life with light and shade. If you’ve taken your armor to a polished stage, you’ll need to think about the areas that will reflect light and which will be in the shade. Adding highlights and shadows adds a three-dimensional feel to your armor.
Bringing It All Together. When you add all of these elements together you can create a piece of armor that looks like it’s popped straight out of a fantasy book. Combine these techniques and practice as much as you can, and before long you’ll have a fantastical suit of armor that you’ll be proud to show off to your friends.
Polishing and Presentation. Once you’re done, take a few minutes to scan your armor and make sure all the details are lined up correctly. You can also add a few finishing touches, such as a soft wash of ink to really bring out any highlights and shadows. Now your armor is ready to be presented!
Adding Material and Textures
Including the right materials and textures can make all the difference when it comes to drawing a realistic-looking armor. The metal parts of the armor should be as shiny as you can make them, while the softer elements such as leather straps should be detailed enough that you can perceive the texture of the material.
Start with the metal. If you’re drawing a metal breastplate, you’ll need to get to grips with the basics. Draw in the metal panels and then think about other details you could add such as rivets, bolts, and hammered edges. Fill in the gaps between panels with even, parallel lines that follow the curves of the panels.
Make It Shine. To give your armor its metallic sheen, think about where the light would fall and make those areas brighter. Conversely, the shadows should be deeper, giving them a more realistic look. To REALLY make the armor look shiny, you can use a metallic color or a white highlights.
Leather texture. You can achieve a good leather texture with an eraser. Rub the eraser over the pencil lines to soften them up a bit. Then draw over the top with a few darker and lighter lines to create the bumps and creases of the leather.
Adding Straps and Scratches. Whether your armor is flying through the air or tied to a horse, everything must be secured in the right way. To get straps and buckles looking realistic, draw in the basic shape and add a few layers of shading. For scratches, use a pointed brush to add a smooth line then gently erase parts of the line to give it a rugged metallic feel.
Piecing It Together
Bringing your armor to life is all about finding the right balance between realism and fantasy. Think about what your character will be wearing and how they’re going to move in the armor. Neck and shoulder plates need to move easily and fit tightly, while greaves should be easy to fasten and adjustable.
Planning Ahead. When it comes to piecing your armor together, now is the time to plan ahead. Work out which materials are needed for each segment and how many pieces you want to make. A shoulder plate may just take a few sheets of metal and a few rivets, while a pair of greaves may require several parts.
Layering. Use the same layering technique for your armor as you did when drawing it. Separate each piece by type so that your broken down into areas like the front and sides of the armor, the chest and back plates, the fittings and buckles, and the fabric and padding.
Get It Right. Now you need to start fitting these pieces together. Make sure your measurements are correct and all of your pieces fit as they should. The last step is to give your armor a final once-over and make any necessary alterations.
Breathe life into It. The image of a character in a full suit of armor is quite striking, so don’t forget to give it the attention it deserves. Adding touches such as battle-scars and rust can really enhance the realism of your armor and make it look like it’s been through the wringer.
Facing the Challenges
The challenges you may face when drawing a suit of armor can’t be understated. In particular, the sheer amount of detail that can go into some designs can be quite overwhelming. As with any skill, practice is the best way to get better– and you’ll often find something to improve on each time you draw one.
Don’t Shy Away from Complexity. Drawing a suit of armor can be a surprisingly complex undertaking, but don’t be afraid to dive into the challenge. To make it easier, break each element down into its simplest form: the shape of the armor, the material, and the detailing.
Practice Makes Perfect. No artist perfects their skill overnight, and even experienced drafters will keep improving. Draw your armor over and over until each piece looks natural, and don’t be afraid to scrap a design if it just isn’t coming together. It’s part of the learning process.
Be Receptive to Criticism. Drawing in its heart a form of art, and in art it’s important to receive constructive criticism. If you’re hosting an art show, have VIPs take a look at your armor and give you a few pointers – this will give them a unique insight into your work, and in turn can help you become a better drafter.
Persevere. The beauty of this job is that there will always be something new to learn and hone. Take a few risks here and there and make sure you keep developing your skills – you’ll find yourself learning something new each time you sit down and draw a suit of armor.
Finalizing Your Design
Ah, the finishing touches. The final pieces to a well-crafted armor. Once you’ve made it this far, you’ll have to give your armor a few nips and tucks to ensure that it’s battle-ready.
Defining Proportions. Now you should give your armor its proportions, which is the next level of precision. Make sure the pieces fit in the right places, and that the overall shape is looking good. It’s better to make small changes now than to make huge ones down the line.
Spot the Discrepancies. Once you’ve got your proportions down, look at the armor from different angles to spot even the slightest discrepancies. Once you’re sure it’s all in the right place, give your armor an extra round of shading and highlights to make it look battle-hardened and worn-in.
Making Rough Edges. If you’re using the same materials to create an entire suit of armor, you should make sure it looks fittingly worn-in and battered. Adding an extra layer of detail gives the armor an extra touch of realism. Make sure the edges aren’t too smooth, and mix metal textures together.
Giving it a Polish. Finally, it’s time to give your armor its final polish. Fill in any gaps in the armor with the appropriate colours and textures and add a few scratches, chips, or dents. Finally, use a combination of black, grey and silver to give your armor a rugged look and finish your masterpiece.
Final Touches
By this stage, you should’ve created a virtually-resistant piece of armour. All that’s left to do is to give it the final touches that will make it something special.
Adding Weathering. The armour should ‘weather’ over time, and adding a patina or a dark stain will give it an aged, weathered look. Such weathering is often caused by having been worn in the midst of battles, with scars criss-crossing its surface.
Including Symbols and Logos. Adding logos or symbols of your character’s house can add another layer of detail to your armour. Include a coat of arms on the breast plate, and a decorative motif on the shoulder and forearm plates.
Adding Colours. Last but not least, you can add colors to give your armour a more regal look. This can include traditional paints, dyes, or even inks. You could even incorporate colors like bright yellows, oranges or reds to appear as if the armour has been set on fire for a dramatic finish.
The potential for creativity when it comes to drawing a suit of armour is almost endless. With the right combination of materials, textures and details, you can recreate some truly eye-catching armour designs. So don’t be afraid to get stuck in and make something extraordinary!
