How To Draw The Golden Gate Bridge

How to Draw The Golden Gate Bridge

Drawing the majestic Golden Gate Bridge is a great way to learn a few basics about drawing. While it can seem daunting at first, taking it step by step makes drawing the Golden Gate Bridge manageable. By using the right materials and following these easy steps, rendering the iconic Golden Gate Bridge will be easier than you think.

Step 1: Choose the Right Paper

Choosing the right paper is key to getting the perfect outcome of your drawing. A heavy-duty paper that is acid-free and has a smooth surface is ideal for drawing the Golden Gate Bridge. This ensures that your hard work won’t fade over time, and that your drawings won’t smudge or be damaged.

Step 2: Sketch the Shape of the Bridge

For the base of your bridge, sketch two long, curved lines that dip and rise like a wave. Make sure that they meet in the middle. Then, draw a series of lines parallel to the main shape. These lines act as guideposts when you’re coloring the bridge in. To add depth, draw some lines at an angle underneath the bridge.

Step 3: Draw the Towers

Draw two towers in the middle of the bridge. Make sure that they reach from the top of the bridge to the water. For the bridge towers, draw two rectangles with slightly rounded edges that taper off towards the bottom. Finally, to connect the towers to the bridge, draw two more lines above and below the towers.

Step 4: Add Detailing

To make your drawing look more realistic, draw in some details. Draw the cables that connect the towers to the bridge and add windows and other details. Then, draw some of the unique details of the bridge, such as the stands and the iconic girders that help give the bridge its romantic appeal. Finally, add some cars, boats and other objects to help make it look lively.

Step 5: Color in Your Drawing

Using colored pencils or markers, start to color in your drawing. Use colors that are similar to those of the real Golden Gate Bridge, such as red and orange. You can also add a few extra touches with gold and silver to help bring the details of your drawing to life. When you’re done, you’ll have a beautiful picture of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge!

Steps 6 – 10

Draw the lights and waves of the bridge with pencil or marker. Use a lighter and darker shade to elude depth, and if you’d like, add a few clouds to complete the look. To make the bridge look more realistic, sketch a few details of the ships, docks and people. This will create a vibrant scene to use as reference for coloring. Add simple yet profound shading to the mountains, background and water, which will complete the look. Lastly, use a dry-brush to add texture to the bridge, which will make your drawing stand out.

Step 11: Outline and Add Shadows

Once you have your drawing, go in with a sharp black pencil and trace all the lines of the sketch. After that, add shadows to make the drawing look more realistic. To accentuate the lines, go in with a black marker and draw some extra lines to accentuate the shape of your bridge. Pay attention to the direction of the light and the angle of the shadows to make your drawing look professional.

Step 12: Finishing Touches

Finally, it’s time for the finishing touches. Follow the same technique as with outlining and shadows, but use color to bring the different elements together. Make sure to blend the colors together so they create a unified effect. When you’re done, sit back and admire your drawing of the amazing Golden Gate Bridge!

Julia is an artist and musician, who grew up in a small town in Ohio, where she played in local bands and painted murals in free time. She moved to NY City to study art at the prestigious Pratt Institute, and then relocated to LA to pursue a music career. Julia loves sharing the knowledge she gathered during the years with others.

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