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

If you want to learn to describe realistically, 3-D shapes are a foundation for doing so. Once you know how to imply multi-dimensional form, yous tin can apply your cognition to all types of subjects.

Learn how to draw 3-D shapes and make your art popular off the page.

3d polygon shape

You lot don't need whatever special tools to acquire this skill. I'yard using a pencil and paper, but experience free to use pens, colored pencils, crayons — whatever strikes your fancy.

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

1. How to depict 3-D triangles

In that location are ii types of multi-dimensional triangles: prisms (left) and pyramids (right).

how to draw a 3d triangle

Step ane:

When drawing a prism, start with a simple, apartment triangle and small horizon point that's at the side of the shape. It doesn't matter which side you chose. Where yous identify the horizon point determines the length and angle of your prism.

To create a pyramid, draw three lines, every bit shown on the right in a higher place. In the center should exist a directly line. From the pinnacle of the direct line, draw 2 angled lines that are the same length. It's OK if the angles aren't exactly identical.

how to draw 3d triangle

Stride ii:

Give your prism a 3-D appearance past drawing ii lines: i off the top corner and one off the base corner of the triangle that'south closer to the horizon indicate. Draw the lines lightly all the way to the horizon betoken. So, close it off with a single line that's the aforementioned angle as the nearest side of the triangle. Erase the lines extending to the horizon point.

For the pyramid, you lot'll finish the drawing by connecting the three lines at the lesser. Describe a dotted horizontal line to connect the two angled lines, and utilize angled lines to connect each angled line to the centre line.

two. How to draw cubes

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

draw a 3d cube

Step 1:

To start the first cube, draw two squares that are the aforementioned size. They demand to overlap, simply how much is upward to you.

Draw the second cube much like y'all did the pyramid. This fourth dimension, you'll make iii parallel vertical lines of the aforementioned size. The two outer lines should start and finish at the same betoken, and the middle i should exist shifted down a bit on the page.

how to draw cube

Footstep 2:

Now information technology'southward all nearly connecting corners. On the first cube, use a straight edge to draw angled lines to match the respective edges. So you lot'll connect the lesser right corner of the first square to the bottom right corner of the 2nd square. Echo this will all iv corner.

For the second cube, connect the pinnacle points of the 3 lines with angled lines; repeat with the bottom points. Draw a point direct above the middle line — the distance between the top of the eye line and the signal should exist about the length of the centre line. Connect the tops of the outer two lines to the signal with angled lines.

3. How to describe a cylinder

How to draw 3d cylinder

Step ane:

Starting time with an oval. Don't worry if y'all can't describe one perfectly correct abroad — I had to redo mine many times! Y'all could trace something, as well.

drawing a cylinder part 2

Step ii:

Later you lot have the oval downwards, draw 2 direct, perpendicular lines that come up from either end. These lines can be every bit long every bit you want and tin can become in whatsoever direction.

Step iii:

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

Tip: To make sure the lesser and top of your cylinder lucifer, try turning the newspaper upside downwards. It'll change your point of view and any inconsistencies will stand out.

iv. How to depict a sphere

There are several ways to draw a sphere, ranging from elementary to very complex. No matter how much you lot want to challenge yourself, a drawing of a sphere volition start with a simple circle. Draw one freehand or trace a stencil or household item.

circle drawing

Easier:

There sphere looks best when information technology has shading, but you can too make it announced three-D by drawing contour lines from top to lesser. Make sure the bend 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 own tutorial (this one has bully stride-by-step photos), I do want to give you one quick and like shooting fish in a barrel manner to draw a sphere. This method looks more lifelike than the instance higher up, just it's also much faster than drawing a very detailed sphere.

If you want to try simple shading, try a gradient from light to night beyond the sphere. In this example, the lite 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 information technology looks more spherical?

shaded sphere

5. How to describe a cone

A cone is a cross between a cylinder and a pyramid. So nosotros'll take what nosotros know from both to draw this three-D shape.

3d cone

Stride ane:

Start with a horizontal oval. Information technology doesn't take to exist perfect.

Step two:

To finish, draw the two sides of a triangle. The line for each side should showtime at either edge of the oval and meet in the centre above the eye of the oval.

Tips for drawing 3-D shapes

  • When trying to depict something 3-D, straight lines are of import. Utilize a directly edge (similar a ruler) when you lot can. Fifty-fifty if yous don't have a ruler, something that's flat and made out of a sturdy material will do.
  • Be aware of the angles of lines. Things similar a cube, for case, require parallel lines to give them their shape. Others, like a cone, can take a variety of angles. Compare angles past holding your pencil up to the lines. If they match, then your lines are probably parallel. If yous want to get really technical, you can use a protractor.
  • Pencils and erasers are your friend. Whenever possible, draw with pencil to become the angles and lines right.

Drawing other 3-D shapes

Many objects you draw volition fall into one of those v major shape categories. If not, recall to check your angles and make straight lines. I have this ceramic polygon shape that doesn't actually fit as a cube, cone or a prism. Here's how I made it come to life.

Footstep ane:

By starting with a straight border, I was able to make the outline of the shape.

outline of a 3d shape

Step 2:

I so drew the inside of the shape to convey its multi-dimensional feel. Comparing angles — from the object itself — helped me when drawing. I still had to go dorsum and set some lines, though.

outline of a 3d shape - progress

Step 3:

To give the shape even more presence, I shaded parts of it based on the angle of light. This conveys the different surface planes and sense of class. Shading is a complex discipline that we don't have time to comprehend in this mail service, but you can learn more virtually information technology in the Craftsy class 10 Essential Techniques for Improve Drawing.

3d polygon shape