
Learn to see the three-dimensional structure of subjects through observation and analysis, using volumetric drawing and perspective to reveal edges, cross-contour lines, and depth with light and shadow for beginners.
Explore 3-D perspective drawing through careful observation, building subjects from simple shapes like boxes and cylinders, and learning the bounding box concept, angles, and primary structure.
Breaks a still life into simple 3d shapes—cylinder, hemisphere, and compressed cone—and uses the table edge and shadows to form a solid sketch built from well-placed elements and their relationships.
Learn to draw a yoga pose by building the figure from simple 3D shapes in perspective, using cylinders for limbs and a sphere or box for the head.
Identify basic three-dimensional blocks like cube and cylinder, then transform them with bending to sketch organic forms. Use cross contour and construction lines to reinforce three-dimensional structure from reference photos.
Practice day 1 assignment sketches a windmill using simple shapes and perspective cues. Observe horizon line, apply foreshortening and cross contour lines, add details in layers and light-to-dark tones.
Learn the basics of perspective and graphical projection to turn three dimensional scenes into convincing, dynamic drawings by using a picture plane, light, and viewer position.
Master 3d visualization with isometric and mountain view projections, asymmetric and 2d multiview layouts, using x y z axes and grid guides for accurate front, side, and top views.
Explore perspective projections, focusing on one-point perspective with the cube as a model. Learn how the horizon line, vanishing point, and foreshortening create depth in three-dimensional drawings.
Master two-point perspective by examining how two vanishing points on the horizon define cube faces and foreshortening, guiding construction lines and edge convergence.
Explore three-point and five-point perspective, vanishing points and horizon placement, bird's-eye view, and key projection types like isometric and mountain view to master perspective drawing.
Practice one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective by drawing simple blocky objects like cubes and bricks with ghosting and vanishing points. Build accuracy by visualizing edges and horizon line.
Explore 3d perspective by drawing the cube from multiple angles, using one-, two-, and three-point perspective, vanishing points, rotation, and bounding boxes.
Master drawing a sphere in perspective by using vertical and horizontal center lines and perpendicular ellipses to define its orientation in 3D space.
Learn to construct cones and pyramids in two-point perspective by projecting base circles as ellipses, placing center diagonals and vertical axes, and drawing contour lines within a perspective grid.
Practice building three-dimensional forms in two-point perspective by drawing basic shapes and their variations, shading with a left light source, and constructing arches, prisms, pyramids, and cylinders from simple guidelines.
Learn how to construct a believable coffee cup handle through step-by-step 3D perspective techniques, using simple blocks, rotation, shading, and careful guidelines to achieve accurate form.
Draw glass-like forms by starting with cylinders and ellipses, extending with cones and spheres, adding curves, cross contour lines, and perspective cues for champagne and wine glasses.
Construct the donut shape from rotated circles and ellipses in perspective, show top view with contour lines, apply foreshortening and shading to reveal three-dimensional form from multiple views.
Explore 3D drawing perspective by turning a simple cylinder into a banana through rotation, bending, and cross contour lines, practicing foreshortening from multiple angles.
Complete day 4 assignment by visualizing three subjects as simple building blocks, using bounding boxes and converging edges to plan a 3d perspective sketch, then continue in the morning.
Draw a camera in three point perspective by building the front face, establishing vanishing points, and foreshortening the lens with a constructed ellipse and cylinder, then add shading and details.
Choose a subject aligned with your current 3-D drawing skills and create a sketch focused on structure using cross contour lines to show volume. Share a photo for instructor feedback.
This is the 2nd episode of my How to Draw 101 series.
In this beginner drawing course you can learn step by step how to recognize the 3D structures of real-life subjects, and how to draw believable 3D forms with your pencil in order to create the illusion of 3-dimensionality in the viewer.
We will use the basic principles of volumetric drawing and perspective drawing to create depth on the 2-dimensional paper.
Understanding volumes, depth & space is an essential drawing skill that you will use all the time in your artistic carrier.
What previous drawing experience do you need?
Some basic drawing skills would be useful (check out the 1st episode of this series), but not mandatory for this course. I designed the lessons in a way that you can also benefit from it with very little or zero previous drawing experience.
What drawing tools do you need?
You can enroll in this beginner drawing course without any special drawing tool. I'll be using a regular 2B graphite pencil, and cheap office papers. But you can use any drawing tool you like or have (pen, marker, crayon).
What can you expect by completing this course?
You will understand how complex 3D forms are built from simple building blocks. You'll be capable to recognize the 3D structure of any subject you see. Also, you'll be able to draw simple and more complex forms using the rules of perspective drawing (1-point, 2-point, and 3-point perspective). First, you will learn to draw the simplest basic 3D shapes from any angle: the cube, the cylinder, the sphere, the cone, the pyramid, and the torus. Then, you will learn how to make different transformations (like rotation, bending, twisting, stretching) on these basic shapes to get more complex forms. To practice what you've learned we'll be doing plenty of drawing exercises. We'll be sketching & drawing a lot.
By the end of the course, you'll be able to draw rock solid 3D structures on the paper about your favorite subjects, which is the very first phase of creating any kind of artworks.
Course Content
Day 1 - How to See Volumes?
How to recognize the 3D structure of
a blocky subjects - a classic arch
rounded forms - a glass of wine
a human figure - a yoga pose
more complex, organic forms - the lips
Day 1 - Assignment: analyze the structure of a windmill, and make a sketch about it
Learn about construction lines.
Day 2 - Perspective Drawing Basics
Projection in visual perception
Graphical projection types
3D isometric projection
2D multiview projection
Perspective projections
1-point perspective
2-point perspective
3-point perspective
5-point perspective
Day 2 - Assignment: practicing perspectives
Day 3 - Basic Building Blocks
The cube
The cylinder
The sphere
The cone
The pyramid
Day 3 - Assignment: draw simple 3-D shapes in a 2-point perspective grid
Day 4 - Transformations
Draw a P letter in 3D
How to draw a coffee cup handle step by step
How to draw rounded glass-like forms
How to draw a donut shape
How to draw a complex 3D form, the banana in different angles
Day 4 - Assignment: imagine you're drawing
Day 5 - Let's do some sketching
Make a sketch about a camera in 3D
Make a sketch about a coffee cup with a spoon in 3D
Day 5 - Assignment: 3D sketching about your favorite subject
If you'd like to take your drawing skills to the next level, enroll in this course now!
See you in the first lesson!