From 2D Design To 3D Shape With A Pencil And A Plan

This three dimensional shading exercise is much easier than it looks because it’s created with the same gradation style around each “petal” of the form.

Eight Section 3D Shape C. Rosinski
Eight Section 3D Shape

Mental Health Note: There’s no need to finish this drawing in one sitting, and drawings never really have to be perfect. So stay mellow my fellow pencil sisters and brothers. Like nearly everything else in life, drawing is more fun when you’re relaxed.

Supplies
Line Drawing Template Download

Creation of eight lobed line drawing C. Rosinski
Line Drawing Creation

You can get a pretty good idea of how I sat up the line drawing by looking at it.

I got lucky and picked the right sized large and small circle templates on the first try, but the trick is that the small circles need to be about the width of one section to fit side by side in larger circle. For the most shapely petals though, make the small circles large enough to overlap each other a little.

To finish the design, I drew an arc from each small circle to the center of the large circle.

Eight lobed line drawing with extra lines erased. C. Rosinski
Extra lines erased.

Here’s the design with the extra marks erased.

I used a kneaded eraser to lighten the lines as much as I could first, and then used a battery powered eraser to remove the rest. I used the kneaded eraser first as a precaution, because sometimes battery powered erasers smear heavily applied graphite with such force that it leaves an embedded smudge that’s nearly impossible to remove.

Flat Pencil Tip C. Rosinski
Flat Pencil Tip

I used an HB pencil with a flattened point for the hatching. I wanted to preserve the hatching’s texture so I didn’t use any blending tools. (Blending tools smear hatching.)

Brief Flat Pencil Point How-To

Create a flat pencil point by running it back and forth over scrap paper. Use it by bringing the flat point directly over to the drawing without shifting your grip on the pencil.

Outlined petal. C. Rosinski
1. Outlined petal.

A three step process to shade each petal.

1. Draw a dark line around the edge. I don’t normally start a drawing this way, but in this case I wanted the edge around each shape to be the deepest part, and deepest equals darkest in this situation.

In the simple imaginary lighting used for this shape: Light = Up and Dark = Down

Gradated Petal edge. C. Rosinski
2. Gradated edge.

2. Shade around the inner edge with a short gradation that lightens near the middle of the petal.

Petal filled with hatching. C. Rosinski
3. Filled with hatching.

3. Fill in the rest of the shape with a light hatch.

Variations:

  • To give a petal more depth, deepen the edge by darkening the outer edge of the gradation.
  • A short edge gradation and wide top highlight makes a petal look wide and shallow.
  • A smaller top highlight and tall edge gradation makes a petal look taller and more tapered.
Finished 3d shaded eight petal shape. C. Rosinski
Finished with highlights.

A Graceful Ending
To finish, shape a kneaded eraser into a medium round tip and use a tapping motion to lighten the center of each petal.

Kneaded Eraser Tip Shapes C. Rosinski
Kneaded Eraser Tip Shapes

A tapping motion lifts and lightens the graphite and leaves the texture alone. If you drag or rub the eraser across the hatch, you’ll smudge the texture, and it’ll be hard to make that spot blend in.

To smooth any unevenness or get rid of distracting dark spots, gently tap those areas with a small round or pointed tip.

Eight Petal Design Line Drawing Template pdf C. Rosinski
Tidy Line Drawing


Here’s a line drawing to download if you want to trace the design. This is a large version that you can reduce to the size you prefer.

Line Drawing Template PDF

Supplies:

I added a couple more pencils so you can experiment with texture and depth.

I’m a Blick Affiliate, and I get a small commission when you buy from these links at no extra cost to you. If you do that, thanks!

Carol’s Starter Drawing Kit

Pencils
Derwent Graphic 2B
Derwent Graphic HB
Derwent Graphic 2H
(If one is out of stock, get the next softer grade.)
Paper
Canson Classic Cream Drawing Pad
Erasers
Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser
Alvin Vinyl Eraser
Helix Automatic Cordless Eraser
Sharpener
Kum Long Point Pencil Sharpener

Draw well, draw with happiness, and never stop!
Carol

Author: Carol

I'm an artist, an accidental author, and lover of life. I grew up in Yorktown, Indiana, and I've been writing (and drawing) this website since 1999.

14 thoughts on “From 2D Design To 3D Shape With A Pencil And A Plan”

  1. I love the way you teach easy follow. You are great please keep helping. I never was able to afford art calsses all i know how taught myself.

    1. Hi Jackie,

      Thank you and I do plan to keep making lessons and posting them here. Lots of people are in your situation, and it’s possible to teach yourself how to draw just by reading books, watching videos, and finding lessons online.

      Good luck!
      c

  2. Thank you so much for sharing these lessons, I will tell my grandchildren about them as I am sure they will help understand there art lessons at school easier. These are really appreciated

  3. I liked your step by step approach, as well as your innovative methods when takling drawing problems. I was also taken by your simple and comprehensive technics.

  4. Thanks for mentoring us . I wasn’t getting any good books out there and yeah your posts are really very helpful

  5. These lessons help me alot. Your tips are amazing. Keep them coming. Thanks alot!

  6. Would you recommend this method with shading skin? I like to experiment different techniques.

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