Cartoon 3-D Shapes: 5 Tutorials and Expert Tips & Tricks

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

Learn how to draw 3-D shapes and brand your fine art pop off the page.

3d polygon shape

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

Here are drawing tutorials for 5 mutual 3-D shapes with some helpful tips and tricks for drawing them. Each is broken down into simple steps that helps build the overall form.

1. How to depict 3-D triangles

There are two types of multi-dimensional triangles: prisms (left) and pyramids (right).

how to draw a 3d triangle

Step 1:

When drawing a prism, start with a simple, flat triangle and small horizon point that's at the side of the shape. It doesn't matter which side you chose. Where y'all place the horizon point determines the length and bending of your prism.

To create a pyramid, draw three lines, equally shown on the right above. In the eye should be a straight line. From the top of the direct line, draw two angled lines that are the same length. It'south OK if the angles aren't exactly identical.

how to draw 3d triangle

Step 2:

Give your prism a three-D appearance by drawing two lines: one off the pinnacle corner and ane off the base corner of the triangle that's closer to the horizon betoken. Depict the lines lightly all the mode to the horizon point. Then, shut it off with a single line that's the same angle as the nearest side of the triangle. Erase the lines extending to the horizon indicate.

For the pyramid, you'll cease the drawing by connecting the three lines at the bottom. Depict a dotted horizontal line to connect the two angled lines, and utilise angled lines to connect each angled line to the center line.

ii. How to depict cubes

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

draw a 3d cube

Step 1:

To commencement the start cube, draw two squares that are the same size. They demand to overlap, but how much is up to you.

Describe the second cube much similar you did the pyramid. This time, y'all'll make three parallel vertical lines of the same size. The two outer lines should starting time and end at the same point, and the middle one should exist shifted down a fleck on the page.

how to draw cube

Step ii:

At present it's all about connecting corners. On the first cube, utilise a straight border to draw angled lines to match the corresponding edges. So you'll connect the lesser right corner of the first square to the bottom right corner of the second square. Repeat this will all four corner.

For the 2d cube, connect the summit points of the 3 lines with angled lines; repeat with the bottom points. Draw a point directly in a higher place the heart line — the distance between the height of the center line and the indicate should be about the length of the center line. Connect the tops of the outer two lines to the signal with angled lines.

3. How to depict a cylinder

How to draw 3d cylinder

Step one:

Starting time with an oval. Don't worry if you lot tin't draw one perfectly right abroad — I had to redo mine many times! You could trace something, as well.

drawing a cylinder part 2

Step ii:

Later on y'all have the oval down, draw two straight, perpendicular lines that come from either end. These lines can exist as long as you desire and tin go in any direction.

Pace iii:

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

Tip: To make certain the lesser and top of your cylinder match, try turning the paper upside down. It'll change your point of view and any inconsistencies will stand out.

iv. How to describe a sphere

There are several means to draw a sphere, ranging from elementary to very complex. No affair how much you want to challenge yourself, a drawing of a sphere will beginning with a elementary circle. Draw one freehand or trace a stencil or household item.

circle drawing

Easier:

There sphere looks best when it has shading, only yous tin can also make information technology appear 3-D past drawing profile lines from top to bottom. Make sure the curve mimic the curves of the circle, with less exaggeration as you get closer to the middle.

contoured sphere

More advanced:

While drawing a realistic sphere is worthy of its ain tutorial (this one has great step-by-pace photos), I do desire to give you lot one quick and easy way to describe a sphere. This method looks more than lifelike than the instance higher up, but information technology'south also much faster than drawing a very detailed sphere.

If you want to try simple shading, try a gradient from light to nighttime across the sphere. In this example, the light is coming from the left, so the lightest point is on the left of the sphere and the darkest is on the correct. See how it looks more spherical?

shaded sphere

5. How to draw a cone

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

3d cone

Pace 1:

Start with a horizontal oval. It doesn't have to be perfect.

Pace 2:

To finish, draw the two sides of a triangle. The line for each side should start at either edge of the oval and come across in the centre above the center of the oval.

Tips for drawing three-D shapes

  • When trying to draw something 3-D, straight lines are important. Use a straight edge (like a ruler) when you tin. Fifty-fifty if you don't accept a ruler, something that's flat and fabricated out of a sturdy material volition do.
  • Be enlightened of the angles of lines. Things like a cube, for instance, require parallel lines to give them their shape. Others, like a cone, can take a multifariousness of angles. Compare angles by holding your pencil up to the lines. If they match, then your lines are probably parallel. If you want to get really technical, y'all tin can employ a protractor.
  • Pencils and erasers are your friend. Whenever possible, draw with pencil to become the angles and lines correct.

Drawing other three-D shapes

Many objects you lot draw will fall into 1 of those five major shape categories. If non, retrieve to check your angles and make straight lines. I have 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.

Pace 1:

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

outline of a 3d shape

Footstep 2:

I then drew the inside of the shape to convey its multi-dimensional feel. Comparing angles — from the object itself — helped me when drawing. I however 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 information technology based on the angle of light. This conveys the different surface planes and sense of form. Shading is a circuitous field of study that we don't have time to cover in this post, only you can acquire more than near it in the Craftsy grade 10 Essential Techniques for Better Cartoon.

3d polygon shape