How to draw buildings from a beginners standpoint? That's the question I receive quite often. No wonder! Drawing architectural objects is quite a complex task. And the best way to deal with complex tasks is dividing them into more simple steps :).

Here are steps of learning to draw buildings (based on my own experience):

1. Drawing flat shapes in one-and-two-point perspective (squares, rectangles, circles, hexagons)

2. Drawing 3D solids in one-and-two-point perspective (pyramids, cones, cylinders cubes, rectangular prisms)

3. Shading 3-dimensional solids

4. Drawing buildings consisting of a few simple solids in two-point perspective (modernist architecture or simple wooden cottages). Besides following perspective rules it's important to keep the right proportions in mind.

5. Gradually moving to more and more complex buildings with elements drawn with more "flowing" lines (gothic and art-nouveau are really complex styles).

My course Drawing Houses Step by Step based on a very nice example of a wooden cottage (https://skl.sh/3LS55ap) was created mainly for beginners, as it covers:

- Basics of two-point perspective

- Geometrical construction

- Drawing architectural details

- Drawing architectural materials (wooden beams, stone, shingles)

- Shading

My another course: Drawing various forms in perspective based on a GOTHIC CATHEDRAL (https://skl.sh/3UwtTIJ) is a little bit more complex and I'd recommend to watch it as a supplement of the "Wooden Hut" classes. Subjects discussed here (besides features of cathedrals facades):

- Drawing shapes and solids in 2-point perspective

- Multiplying and dividing shapes in perspective

-Finding middle points of 3-dimensional solids (more useful than it sounds!)

Lastly, I made a detailed course entirely dedicated to correct shading/hatching 3-dimensionl solids and buildings: "Drawing Shadows: from Basics to More Advanced Settings" (https://skl.sh/3sREO3a). Because shading is that final touch giving life and artistic impact to architectural subjects :)

Remember: practicing is the key!

I wish you lots of joy with learning and creating. I'd love to see your projects related to these classes :)

Elwira

Elwira Pawlikowska

Illustrator / Designer at Grim Dream

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