How to Draw Buildings

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Whether you’re coming up with designs for construction or merely sketching a cityscape, it’s helpful to know how to draw a building. Here is an easy tutorial on how to draw your very own!

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Draw-Buildings-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Buildings-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Draw-Buildings-Step-1.jpg\/aid1433883-v4-728px-Draw-Buildings-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The smallest one goes on the top and the largest one on the bottom. The general shape should be similar to that of a pyramid, but of course comprised of several prisms rather than one polyhedron.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Draw-Buildings-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Buildings-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Draw-Buildings-Step-2.jpg\/aid1433883-v4-728px-Draw-Buildings-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    These will serve as guidelines for the windows and the entrance of the building. You can make them as large or as small as you’d like, with more width or length depending on how you want your building to look.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Draw-Buildings-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Buildings-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Draw-Buildings-Step-3.jpg\/aid1433883-v4-728px-Draw-Buildings-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    These include an extra part of the structure protruding from the top and a shadow/border at the bottom (to make the drawing more realistic).
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Draw-Buildings-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Buildings-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Draw-Buildings-Step-4.jpg\/aid1433883-v4-728px-Draw-Buildings-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can also adjust lines that don't fit your taste. Erase the guidelines. You should outline your image BEFORE erasing, however, or you might confuse your windows with extraneous lines.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Draw-Buildings-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Buildings-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Draw-Buildings-Step-5.jpg\/aid1433883-v4-728px-Draw-Buildings-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Add some shadows and highlights to the picture, especially at the windows. Once everything is shaded and you’ve made sure to add in all your desired details, you're done!
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I draw a house?
    Community Answer
    Draw only one of the cubes, erase the back two sides and draw a pointed roof.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 38 Helpful 54
  • Question
    Is there another way to draw the building instead of drawing three cubes?
    Community Answer
    Do a tall rectangle to make a block of flats or just improvise by using different angles and shapes!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 30 Helpful 38
  • Question
    How do I draw a hospital?
    Craftsmart
    Top Answerer
    Draw the building explained above, but only one level. Add details around the building, such as a sign that says, "Hospital" or "Emergency." Add ambulances and other vehicles around the building.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 23
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Draw lightly in pencil so that you can easily rub out mistakes.
        Thanks
      • If your eventual goal is to draw very complex architecture (e.g., the Eiffel Tower ), know that this is a good place to start. Practice over and over with this basic three-story building, and once you have the mechanics down pat you’ll be ready to start drawing more intricate structures.
        Thanks
      • If you need help drawing the cube, see Draw-a-3D-Box
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Quick & Easy Guide to Drawing the Map of India
      How to
      Draw a Beach Scene
      How to
      Draw a House
      How to
      Draw Clouds
      How to
      Draw a Spider Web
      Drawing the Eiffel Tower: Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
      How to
      Draw Flames
      How to
      Draw a Map
      How to
      Make a Map
      How to
      Draw a Church
      How to
      Draw a Farm
      How to Draw a Medieval Castle for Beginners
      How to
      Draw a Waterfall
      How to
      Draw a Cityscape
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 205,195 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement