how to draw a book easy

3D Book Drawings for Beginners

Learning to do a book drawing is really easy, and perfect for beginners. Today you'll be learning how to draw a book using both two point perspective and one point techniques to make it 3 dimensional.

We'll be using the 1 and 2 point perspective concepts, but we're going to do it freehand.

However, you could use a ruler if you want to. But I like keeping the drawings loose and taking a more relaxed approach to creating art. I find it to be much less stressful.

Check out some of these book photos if you need some ideas for your own drawings.

Three things you'll learn,

How to use two point perspective to draw a book in 3D
The difference between one point and two point perspective
How to use foreshortening for dramatic effect

What's the Difference Between One Point Perspective and Two Point Perspective

One point and two point refers to the number of vanishing points used in your drawing.

One point perspective is used when you are looking straight on at the face of a shape or object.

Two Point Perspective is used when you are looking at an object from an angle. This is a much more interesting view point, and is only slightly more complicated.

For our book drawings today, you'll be learning how to draw a book using both one and two point perspective.

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Art Supplies

Paper or cardstock

Pencil

Eraser

Blending stump (optional)

FREE One Point Perspective Worksheet

How to Draw a Book Using Two Point Perspective

We are going to start by roughing out our basic shape for our book drawing. Since we are going to draw a book in 3D, we will use a cube. We'll use the same process as in How to Draw a Cube, but we will make it shorter.

Lightly sketch out your cube using a pencil. Draw the edge closest to you first. Keep in mind how thick you want your book to be.

Next, draw the bottom edges of your book. Your lines should make a slight "V" shape.

How-to-Draw-a-Book-Cube

Then draw the line for the top edge of your book shape. These lines should be parallel with the bottom lines.

Draw the short vertical lines at each end of your book. Don't worry about your lines extending beyond where they need to be.

Just draw lightly and erase the extra later. It's actually easier if you go a little past where you need to stop because you can follow through with your pencil strokes.

Now draw the back edges for your book drawing. These need to be drawn parallel with the lines directly across from them.

You now have the rough shape of your 3D book drawn out. Now let's add some detail and make it look like a book.

How to Draw a Book Spine

For the spine edge of your book draw a couple of curved lines.

How-to-Draw-a-Book-Binding

Then draw another curved line at the other side to show the pages.

You could draw the pages straight down, but I think they look more interesting curved.

Add additional lines to show the thickness of the book cover.

Add shading to your book to help with the illusion of it being 3D.

How-to-Draw-a-Book-in-3D-Finished

Determine where your light source is first. For this example, it's coming from the upper right side of the book. This will make the lower left of the book the darkest areas.

Now let's look at how to draw a book using one point perspective.

One Point Perspective Book Drawing

This drawing of a 3D book is so easy to do. And if you draw it correctly, will look like it's popping off the page. It uses a single vanishing point to create the 3D effect.

Begin by drawing the top edge of your book along with the two sides.

How-to-Draw-a-Book-One-Point

When drawing the sides you want to imagine them coming together at a point somewhere, waaay down your paper. You don't have to draw them that way though. But if you did, it would look like this.