How To Create Depth In A Drawing

15 Proven Ways to Draw the Illusion of Depth in Art

Updated: 18 Sep 2021

When drawing in a realistic style, it is helpful to draw from direct observation, or by using reference images.

However, for an initial sketch or when drawing from imagination, there are several proven methods to create the illusion of depth.

1. Volume

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

A three-dimensional object will have highlight and shadow areas depending on where the light source is located.

3D object has volume and indicates depth Flat vs 3D object with volume

Example:

Pen and ink drawing of an olive tree Pen and ink olive tree

2. Size

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

For that reason, when drawing similar objects in different sizes, one can conclude that smaller objects are farther away, thus create a sense of depth.

objects with different size indicate depth Objects with different size

Example:

Pen and ink drawing of two olive trees Pen and ink olive trees

Size can also be used to create a sense of space.

Adding small objects to a defined space will make it look big:

Pencil drawing of a kayak paddler in cave Small object defines big space

Adding big objects to the same space will make it look small:

Man walking in cave pencil drawing Big object defines small space

3. Overlap

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

Overlapping objects conceal each other Overlapping objects

Example:

Pen drawing of two overlapping olive trees Overlapping olive trees

If you like my tree drawings, feel free to visit my guide on how to draw ANY tree with a pen.

4. Position/Height

Objects that their base is positioned higher on the drawing surface will look farther away.

Using position to create illusion of depth Different positioning

In most cases, the base of closer objects will be lower on the drawing surface AND the top part of close objects will be higher than far objects.

Note:

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

Position and height of near object Closer object position & height

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

Observer angle of sight

Example:

Pen and ink drawing of a tree Tree position

When looking from above, the top part of closer objects will be lower on the drawing surface.

Height of objects when viewed from above View from above

For recommended drawing pens, visit my technical pens review for artists.

5. Contrast & Details

The contrast between the dark and light areas decreases, as does the amount of details, as an object is farther away.

Decreasing levels of contrast & details

That is to say, when drawing or painting, areas with high contrast will come forward and areas with less contrast will recede.

Example:

Landscape with trees pencil drawing Trees pencil drawing

6. Edges

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

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

Hard vs soft edges when drawing Hard/sharp vs soft edges

Foreground objects will have hard edges and therefore in focus.

Background objects will have soft edges and therefore blurry.

Foreground object edges are sharp Background objects have soft edges

7. Horizon

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

In addition, by adding ground, the objects stop "hovering".

Use of horizon to create depth Horizon and ground

Pencil drawing example:

Pencil drawing of a Pine tree in the snow Snowy horizon & pine tree

Remember:

Your drawing surface is flat! You have no depth, only width and height.

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

Objects close to the horizon look far Height as a measure of distance

In the image above, trees that are higher on the drawing surface (toward the horizon) will look farther away.

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

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

8. Perspective

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

Illusion of depth using linear perspective Linear perspective

Example:

Pen and ink drawing of a house in perspective House sketch in perspective

9. Foreshortening

Objects in front of the viewer, such as buildings, trees, mountains, people, etc., will look smaller as they are farther away, but will maintain the ratio between height and width. This means that there will be no distortion.

On the other hand, when we change the object (or our) angle of sight, and the object is now along the line of sight, it will get shorter in that direction.

Foreshortening painting when being looked at an angle Foreshortened oil painting

This distortion is due to the angle of sight. The more an object is in our direction of sight, the more it will be distorted (becomes much shorter in that direction).

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

Foreshortening drawing of a lake Foreshortened lake

Note:

Cast shadows will be subject to foreshortening (unless they are in front of us).

Pen drawing of an olive tree & shadow Cast shadow foreshortening

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

Initial sketch of paper rolls Foreshortened cylinders

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

Toilet paper rolls drawing with markers Coloring with markers

If you are new to foreshortening, feel free to visit my guide on drawing from imagination (It is an advanced guide, but explained step-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 color, which is usually blue sky.

Far objects hue shift toward the sky Green slightly shifts to blue

11. Saturation

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

In other words, its color will be less rich, bright or intense, therefore becoming dull or neutral.

Far objects are less saturated Far objects are dull or grayish

Example:

Seashore and mountain oil painting Seashore oil painting

12. Temperature

Purple, blue and green are cool colors; they bring to mind the ocean.

Red, orange and yellow are warm colors; they bring to mind fire.

The farther away an object is, the more atmosphere particles will be between it and the observer, i.e. the atmosphere color will have a bigger effect.

When the sky is blue, the color of background objects will shift gradually toward a blue hue due to scattered light, and therefore becomes cooler.

Foreground objects will be warmer than the background objects since there are less atmosphere particles between the observer and the foreground objects.

Opposite phenomenon may occur in sunrise or sunset.

Temperature in landscape painting Temperature in landscape

13. Values

According to atmospheric perspective, farther objects will have higher brightness values, meaning their color will be lighter.

Far away objects brightness values Farther object is lighter

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

The key is to press harder with a drawing pencil for darker values or to use pencils with different brightness values.

Mountains brightness values with pencil Foreground objects are darker

In addition, transitions (gradient) in brightness values can be used to create the illusion to depth.

Pencil drawing of a man in tunnel Transition from dark to light

Man with torch in tunnel pencil drawing Transition from light to dark

14. Cast Shadow

It is important to paint or draw cast shadows when necessary and adjust their direction to the opposite side of the light source.

Pen drawing of pine trees and shadow Cast shadow

Example:

Pen drawing of a landscape and shadows Landscape with pen & ink

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

15. Brushstrokes & Marks

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

In these cases, larger paintbrushes can be used 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 nib size for background objects.

Different nib sizes for different marks Different nib sizes

Example:

Tree drawing with a pen Pen drawing of a tree

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

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

Direction of lines when sketching Marks direction for creating shapes and depth

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

Initial sketch for tree drawing Marks as first step

And they are necessary when painting.

Example:

Tree and sunset oil painting Tree in sunset oil painting

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

Summary

The key to create depth when drawing is the use of different methods to produce a three-dimensional look on a two-dimensional surface.

Simply put, there is no actual depth in drawing (or painting), but an illusion of depth.

Colors:

When using colors, it is important to pay attention to color attributes such as hue, saturation, value and temperature.

In a monochromatic drawing, correct brightness values are crucial.

Landscape vs still life:

For landscape painting, it is important to understand linear and atmospheric perspective.

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

Where to go next?

After understanding depth, you might want to visit my beginners guide to realistic pencil drawing.

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

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