How to draw 3D volumes | TIP 172

2 Comments

April 25, 2016

There is common mistakes that everybody do as a beginner. The flat sketch. We draw what we see and it’s obvious there is something wrong. But we can’t figure out how to solve it. If you are today at this stage, no panic. It’s nothing related to having talent or not. The solution is actually pretty simple.

It’s all about seeing things in transparency.  

In this video, you will learn how to draw basic 3d volumes such as the cone, the cylinder and the cube. I will also show why following perspective is essential. Once again, if you are new at design sketching, I recommend you to get the Designer Starter Kit to make your first steps in good condition. 

Take a pen, a piece of paper and get ready to draw :).
See you guys for the next tutorial!

Cheers,
Chou-Tac

The video in pictures

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - a

Let’s draw 3D volumes!

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - b

If you are beginner, download the Designer Starter Kit first.

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - c

Are you making this mistake? “Edgy corners”

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - d

See in transparency: Draw the bottom surface with an ellipse.

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - e

Are your cylinders look flat?

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - f

Draw it step by step: 1- Axis | 2- Ellipses | 3- Connect the ellipses

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - g

Take note the the cylinders get wider when they “go down”

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - h

Explanation here with 1-point perspective. A cylinder can be embed in a box.

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - i

Think a cylinder like many coins in perspective!

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - j

In perspective, all the dots are well connected.

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - k

Trying to draw cubes without perspective rule is super tough!!

You have all the details and steps in the Designer Starter Kit

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - m

How to draw a cube step-by-step with 2-point perspective

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - n

Remember to use line weight to make it more obvious.

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - o

Preview of foreshortening with a cube in 2-point perspective

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - p

To get a tilted cube, just tilt the horizon line

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - q

Time for rough sketches! A trick is to start with a corner or a top or below surface first. Try both and see what you prefer.

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - r

Find the center axis of a cube adding diagonals on top and below surfaces

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - s

You can add a cylinder inside the cube using simple geommetry

How to draw basic 3d volumes - cone - cube - cylinder - the design sketchbook - t

And inside the cylinder, you can add a cone as well!

 

 

That’s it. Now you know how to draw these 3 basic volumes like a designer! 🙂
Hope you like it. Feel free to leave a comment!

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About The Author

Chou-Tac

Hello ! My name is Chou-Tac. I am a product designer from France. If the sketching methods I’ve acquired aid me in my life and in my industrial design career, I believe that they can also help you reach your design goal as a student or professional. My aim to help you all along with your design projects and journey. Anytime, feel free to leave a comment in the blog or send me an email at [email protected] : )

2 Comments

  • Luciano

    Reply Reply April 27, 2016

    Hi Chou-Tac

    Greetings from Cape Town. Just wanted to say thank you very much for this wonderful gift that you are offering the world. It is so well done, and so much appreciated. You are a Gem.

    All the best mate.

    • Chou-Tac

      Reply Reply April 27, 2016

      Cape town, wow ! 🙂 Always cool to have readers from all over the world.
      Thanks Luciano. Take care.

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