how to draw things that look 3d

15 Ways to Draw the Illusion of Depth

Updated: 21 Feb 2022

When cartoon in a realistic way, information technology is helpful to draw from straight observation, or past using reference images.

All the same, for an initial sketch, or when drawing from imagination, at that place are several proven methods to create the illusion of depth.

1. Book

Unlike flat objects, 3D objects announced to have volume, and therefore indicate depth.

A iii-dimensional object has highlighted and shadow areas, depending on the location of the light source.

Flat vs 3D object with volume

Example:

Pen and ink olive tree

2. Size

According to the rules of perspective, the farther an object is, the smaller it looks.

For that reason, when you draw similar objects in dissimilar sizes, the observer tin conclude that smaller objects are farther away, thus create a sense of depth.

Objects with different size

Example:

Pen and ink olive trees

In addition, you lot tin utilise size to create a sense of space.

Adding a small object to a defined space, makes it look large:

Small object defines big infinite

Adding a big object to the same space, makes it look small:

Big object defines small space

iii. Overlapping

A body concealing part of another body indicates that the body it is hiding is farther away.

Overlapping objects

Overlapping is a powerful method to add depth!

Case:

Overlapping olive trees

If you lot similar my tree drawings, you are welcome to visit my guide on how to depict Whatsoever tree with a pen.

4. Position/Elevation

When the base of objects is positioned college on the drawing surface, they await further away.

Different positioning

In most cases, the base of closer objects is lower on the drawing surface, AND the summit part of close objects is college than far objects.

Annotation:

This happens when the horizon is placed in the center (more on that later).

Closer object position & tiptop

The reason is the observer'south visual bending, meaning not measuring in meters but in degrees, in perspective.

Observer angle of sight

Call back:

There is no actual depth in a cartoon; the paper sheet is flat. Therefore, use height to decide the illusion of depth.

Instance:

Tree position

When looking from above, the acme part of closer objects is lower on the drawing surface.

View from above

Here is my review of recommended technical pens for drawing.

5. Contrast & Details

The contrast between the nighttime and low-cal areas decreases, every bit does the amount of details, as an object is farther abroad.

Decreasing levels of contrast & details

That is to say, when drawing or painting, areas with loftier contrast come up forward, and areas with less dissimilarity recede.

Example:

Trees pencil cartoon

six. Edges

When an object or surface ends in a sharp way, information technology means it has a hard edge.

Soft edges are when objects terminate in a gradual way, from dark to light.

Difficult/sharp vs soft edges

Foreground objects have hard edges, and therefore in focus.

Background objects accept soft edges, and therefore blurry.

Background objects have soft edges

This happens due to atmospheric perspective.

Meaning, with distance, there are more atmosphere (air) particles betwixt the observer and the object.

These particles scatter light. That is why afar objects look blurry, and with fewer details and contrast.

seven. Horizon

Dividing your drawing into ground and sky by a horizon line, mountain range, vegetation, or whatever other way, attests to depth.

In addition, past adding footing, the objects cease "hovering".

Horizon and ground

Pencil drawing example:

Snowy horizon & pine tree

Think:

Your cartoon surface is flat! You have no depth, simply width and elevation.

As objects are closer to the horizon, they appear farther away.

Meridian as a mensurate of distance

In the image in a higher place, trees that are college on the drawing surface (toward the horizon) wait farther away.

Clouds that are lower on the drawing surface (toward the horizon) look farther abroad.

For a list of equipment that I use for drawing, visit my guide for pencil drawing materials.

viii. Perspective

Past using linear perspective, it is possible to demonstrate depth in a realistic manner.

Linear perspective

Instance:

House sketch in perspective

If you are new to linear perspective, read my linear perspective guide, it is an important drawing primal.

nine. Foreshortening

Objects in front end of the viewer, such as buildings, copse, mountains, people, etc., look smaller as they are farther away, but maintain the ratio betwixt tiptop and width. This means that there is no distortion.

On the other hand, when you change the object (or your) angle of sight, and the object is at present forth the line of sight, it gets shorter in that direction.

Foreshortened oil painting

This baloney is due to the angle of sight. The more an object is in your direction of sight, the more than it is distorted (becomes much shorter in that management).

For example, a lake that in reality tin can be round, in perspective becomes more elliptical as the distance between it and the observer grows.

Foreshortened lake

Note:

Cast shadows are field of study to foreshortening (unless they are in front of the observer).

Cast shadow foreshortening

Understanding foreshortening is THE primal advantage of experienced artists, especially when drawing from imagination.

Foreshortened cylinder

Once your sketch is correct, it is ready for rendering.

Coloring with markers

If you are new to foreshortening, visit my guide on cartoon from imagination (It is an avant-garde guide, but explained pace-by-step).

10. Colors

According to the rules of atmospheric perspective, the farther an object is, the more its color (hue) shifts toward the background colour, which is usually blue sky.

Green slightly shifts to blue

xi. Saturation

The farther an object is, the less saturated its color is.

In other words, its colour is less rich, brilliant, or intense, therefore becoming dull or neutral.

Far objects are dull or grayish

Example:

Seashore oil painting

12. Temperature

Purple, blue and dark-green are absurd colors; they bring to mind the ocean, and other cool things.

Red, orange and xanthous are warm colors; they bring to mind burn down, or other warm things.

The further away an object is, at that place are more temper particles between it and the observer, i.e. the atmosphere color has a bigger effect.

When the heaven is blue, the color of groundwork objects shifts gradually toward a blue hue due to scattered light, and therefore becomes cooler.

Foreground objects are warmer than the groundwork objects since in that location are less atmosphere particles between the observer and the foreground objects.

Opposite phenomenon may occur in sunrise or sunset.

Temperature in mural

For a review of markers I apply for drawing, visit my markers guide.

13. Values

Co-ordinate to atmospheric perspective, farther objects have college brightness values, meaning their color is lighter.

Farther object is lighter

For monochromatic drawing, like pencil drawing, the same principle applies.

The cardinal is to press harder with a cartoon pencil for darker values, or to use pencils with different effulgence values.

Foreground objects are darker

In add-on, transitions (gradient) in effulgence values tin exist used to create the illusion of depth.

Transition from dark to light

Transition from light to dark

xiv. Cast Shadow

Information technology is important to draw or paint cast shadows when necessary, and to adapt their management to the reverse side of the low-cal source.

Cast shadow

Instance:

Mural with pen & ink

In lodge to learn how to compose a scene and render it, read my tutorial on limerick drawing.

15. Brushstrokes & Marks

Some painting styles are done with a collection of single brushstrokes. For case, painting grass blades or leaves.

In these cases, use larger paintbrushes for foreground strokes.

You can do the same with a technical pen.

Use a pen with a bigger nib size for bigger marks when drawing foreground objects, and a smaller pecker size for background objects.

Unlike nib sizes

Example:

For an initial sketch, the direction of lines/marks or brushstrokes is of import.

Same bones shape with different marks direction tells a different story:

Marks direction for creating shapes and depth

When planning a painting, the direction of marks play a major role:

Marks as first step

And, they are necessary when painting.

Example:

Tree in sunset oil painting

If you are new to oil painting, it is practiced to know the different types of paintbrushes for oil painting.

Summary

The fundamental to create depth when cartoon is the utilize of different methods to produce a three-dimensional look on a two-dimensional surface.

But put, there is no bodily depth in cartoon (or painting), but an illusion of depth.

Colors:

When using colors, pay attention to colour attributes such as hue, saturation, value, and temperature.

In a monochromatic cartoon, correct brightness values are crucial.

Landscape vs still life:

For mural painting, information technology is beneficial to understand linear and atmospheric perspective.

When painting a however life, use methods like contrast, overlap, and soft edges, to create depth.

Where to get side by side?

Later understanding depth, you lot might want to visit my beginners guide to realistic pencil cartoon.

And, learn about the 8 key factors for painting realism.

If you like drawing with pens, here is my flower drawing guide.

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