Drawing Cubes, Ellipses and Cylindrical Objects

Process: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Draw 5–6 Cubes in Two-Point Perspective
Begin by drawing 5 to 6 cubes using two-point perspective. Some of the cubes can be stretched vertically or horizontally, but make sure the ends of each form remain perfect squares. These cubes will serve as the framework for drawing ellipses, so accuracy is important.

2. Practice Drawing a Circle in a Square
Using the “Circle-in-a-Square” reference, practice drawing circles inside squares. Notice how the circle touches the midpoint of each side of the square and leaves small empty corners. These visual cues will help you draw ellipses correctly in perspective.

3. Draw Ellipses Inside the Cubes
Choose one of your cubes and draw ellipses on the top and bottom faces. Use your circle-in-a-square reference to guide you. The ellipse should touch the center of each side of the square, and the corners should follow the same spacing as in your reference.

4. Create a Cylinder
Connect the outer edges of the top and bottom ellipses with straight vertical lines. This forms a 3D cylinder inside your cube framework.

5. Draw Cylindrical Objects
Use the cube and cylinder structure to draw real-world cylindrical objects such as:

• A cup

• A bottle

• A tumbler

Add details like handles, lids, textures, or labels to make each drawing more believable.

6. Final Illustration of a Cylindrical Object
Select an interesting cylindrical object and draw it using two-point perspective, following the steps above. Include small details and features that make your drawing realistic and expressive. Once your line drawing is complete, render it using markers and colored pencils to add color, texture, and shading.

Terminology

• Wireframe: A skeletal outline of a three-dimensional object.

• Ellipse: An oval that represents circle when viewed in perspective.

• Cylinder: A 3D shape with two flat circular ends and one curved side, like a can or a paper towel roll.

• Perspective Drawing: A drawing technique that creates the illusion of depth and distance. Objects farther from the viewer appear smaller, while those closer appear larger.

• Freehand Drawing: Drawing without the use of guiding tools like rulers.

• Horizon Line: The line where the sky appears to meet the land or sea, aligning with the viewer's eye level.

• Vanishing Point: The point at which parallel lines, when viewed in perspective, appear to converge.

• Guideline: Lightly drawn lines that assist artists in constructing their drawings.

• Cube: A three-dimensional square with six sides, serving as a fundamental geometric shape in drawing.