✏️ CYLINDERS IN 3D
✏️ YOUR SKETCH KIT
This lesson builds on ellipses from Topic 11. You will construct cylinders with two ellipses and vertical sides, add band shadows on curved surfaces, draw pipes and tree trunks, handle overlapping tubes, and finish with a shaded cylinder still life so nothing looks flatter than a pancake.
- ✏️ Graphite pencils: HB for layout, 2B and 4B for shading bands
- 📄 Sketch paper: smooth enough for soft value blends
- 🥤 Two or three cylinders: cup, can, or cardboard tube to observe light
- 🧽 Eraser and blending stump (optional): soften band shadows
- 💡 Single light source: desk lamp from one side keeps shadows clear
Time: about 10 minutes · Build form first, shade second · Finish with a shaded still life
PAGE 1 OF 5, BUILD A CYLINDER
THE FORMULA
TWO ELLIPSES + VERTICAL SIDES
A solid cylinder in 3D is built from three simple parts: a top ellipse, a bottom ellipse, and two vertical sides that connect them. The two ellipses stay close in squash, with the bottom one a little rounder, as in Topic 11. The sides stay parallel in basic two-point perspective unless the tube leans on purpose. Think of a soup can or a spaceship hull section: round caps at each end, straight walls between. Get the construction right first and shading has a believable surface to wrap around. Skip the ellipses and even perfect shadows will look pasted on a flat sticker.
⚡ DID YOU KNOW?
Many cartoon rocket bodies are just cylinders with extra fins. Master the tube and you can stack engine parts fast.
TUBE!
TOP CAP
⭕ Draw the top ellipse first.
📐 Match tilt to your scene.
📐 Match tilt to your scene.
CONNECT
⬇️ Vertical sides down to bottom.
⭕ Close with the bottom ellipse.
⭕ Close with the bottom ellipse.