You Can Draw in 30 Days: The Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less (18 page)

19. Erase your guide lines behind the ramp. Using the lines you already drew in direction NE as reference (keep glancing at those lines as you are drawing new ones to match up the angles), draw the ramp on the right side. Remember: Beware of the tendency to droop the bottom line. No drooping!

20. Complete your two-layered foreshortened ramp building by drawing the horizon line above the building, positioning your light source, and shading all the surfaces opposite your light position. Using your reference lines to angle the cast shadow correctly in direction SW is really simple when you are drawing buildings; just extend the bottom lines. Erase any extra lines or smudges, and voilà, you have completed your first architectural rendering. Congratulations! Beautiful job!

Here are two very interesting variations of the two-layered ramp building. In variation number one, I experimented with tapering the vertical sides inward. I was pleased with the results. You try it. However, in your version, draw it nine levels high. Now, draw a ninesection-high version, alternating the tapered sides from inward to outward. How about trying a tall version with alternating thin and thick layers, tapering three segments in, three segments out, three in, etc.? You can see where I’m going with this. There are a thousand possible variations of this interesting exercise.

In variation number two, I experimented with alternating the foreshortened layers into a rotating step building with ramps, doors, windows, and some peculiar foreshortened cylinder attached to the side. It looks much more complicated than it is. Simply start with a very strong and sharp foreshortened square. Keep in mind that the very first foreshortened square you draw is the template reference point for all the lines you will be drawing for the entire picture. With this strong beginning, enjoy the process of duplicating my variation number two, one line, one step at a time. You have enough knowledge and skill now to draw this one on your own without me having to break it down into steps for you. Be patient, take your time, and ENJOY yourself!

Take a look at some student examples and get inspired!

Julie Einerson has applied several principles from the lesson to this sketch of her spa.

Marnie Ross has applied her budding drawing skill to this rendering of her church.

T
oday, let’s take a break from boxes and structures and draw a koala from our imagination. This lesson was inspired from my teaching tour through schools in Australia many years ago. During my school visits, the students introduced me to a wide array of exotic Australian pets. One student let me hold his pet koala, another a pet echidna, a frilled hooded lizard, a duck-billed platypus, and even a baby kangaroo.

Of course, on each occasion I had to draw the animals in my ever-present drawing sketchbook/journal. Then, of course, I just had to teach the entire class how to draw these wonderful creatures in 3-D by using the Nine Fundamental Laws of Drawing. In this lesson we will draw a caricature of a koala. After the lesson, I encourage you to go online and research three photos of real-world koalas and draw them as well by using the skills we are going to learn now.

 

 

1. Very lightly sketch three circles in a row.

2. On the first circle, use curving dashes to create a “soft fur” texture along the outside edge.