How to Draw a Jail Cell
What is a jail cell? It’s a room in which criminals and other criminals pay the price for their wrong-doings — often not too kindly. For those of us who haven’t ever had the misfortunate pleasure of spending time in one, it’s a place where we can imagine all the horror stories that come with wrong-doers, and the harshness that befalls those on the wrong side of the law.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to put something beautiful on paper if you decide to draw a jail cell. With the right tools and knowledge, you can create something that looks realistic and powerful. So, if you’re looking for a challenge, why not give jail cell drawing a try?
Gather Your Supplies
First up, you need to get your supplies together. There are many materials that you can use to create a unique and interesting drawing, but the basics are graphite pencils, hard and soft erasers, and some sort of blending tool. You’ll also need newsprint or sketching paper. If you don’t have graphite pencils, you can substitute with charcoal, colored pencils, or a combination of media.
Start with a Basic Shape
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to create. Start by sketching a basic shape of the jail cell – this could be a square, rectangle or whatever shape you like, but make it big enough to accommodate your project. Then, draw in the grates, bars, and any other detail that you’d like to include in your jail cell. Try to be as detailed, but also as imaginative as possible, with your drawing.
Work on Contours and Forms
When you feel confident with the rough outline of your jail cell, it’s time to work on the contours and forms. To create a realistic looking cell, you’ll need to figure out where the light and dark parts of the cell will go. Start by marking in your darkest areas. Don’t be afraid to go dark – the more contrast you have, the more interesting your work will look. Once you’ve marked in the dark sections, you can start shading in the lighter areas.
Don’t Forget Texture and Shading
Now it’s time to work on the texture and the shading. To create a realistic jail cell, the bars need to look just like metal bars that you’d find in a prison. To do this, use your pencils to create a rough texture and then use your blending tool to soften it up. You can also create shadows and light quite easily by putting in darks and lights in the corners and edges. Try to be imaginative and experiment with different textures and shading.
Add the Final Touches
Finally, it’s time to add the finishing touches to your drawing. Go through each individual element and make sure the details are accurate and look realistic. Don’t forget to add highlights and shadows in the areas you think need it; this will really bring your work to life and make it look more realistic. Finally, if you’re feeling extra creative, don’t be afraid to add some personal touches, like wall graffiti and other design details.
Have Fun!
Once you’re done, take a step back and admire your masterpiece. Creating a jail cell drawing can be a challenging, yet rewarding task — you’re sure to be proud of the result. Remember to have fun and enjoy the process — it’s not every day you get to create something this intricate and detailed. Above all, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and go outside the box with your design. That’s what makes your artwork truly unique!
Additional Elements
When you’re done drawing the outside of the jail cell, it’s time to fill it with inmates. From menacing-looking criminals to the scared and vulnerable ones, there are so many options to choose from. Make sure to add as many details as you’d like to give their faces personality and character. Feel free to use expressive lines and exaggerated features to really bring them to life!
Build Up the Background
Once the inmates are in place, it’s time to work on the background. Think of the environment as a character itself, and add in anything you can think of to make it interesting — from cell doors to barred windows, pipes and bathrooms. If you think these elements will draw attention away from the focal point of the drawing, consider adding abstract shapes or patterns to the walls.
Inject Some Color
If you want to take your jail cell drawing to the next level, why not add some color? You don’t have to be too wild with hue and saturation — adding a subtle layer of color or shading can bring new life to your work. Consider adding a pop of color to the inmates’ clothes, or even making the bars and grates brighter. If you really want to give your work some impact, inject a bright color such as red or yellow into key areas.
