Drawing a Light House

Pencil Drawing Portland Headlight Maine

Drawing a lighthouse can be an intimidating project to attempt. You can do it with two simple pencils and art paper. You can pick a photo to copy or sit at the actual lighthouse and draw your favorite sentinel of the sea. The key is to keep shading in the features of the buildings. Pick up that pencil and begin with this step-by-step guide.

Things You'll Need

• Pencils
• Art gum eraser
• Pencil sharpener
• Drawing paper suitable for graphite

Instructions

1. 

   Lightly sketch the outline of the horizon on to the paper with a soft, nearly dull lead pencil. You can work with the drawing pad on a work surface, hold it against your knee or on your lap, whichever makes you most comfortable.

2. 

   Sketch in the outline of the lighthouse and other outbuildings. The outline does not have to be perfect.

3. 

   Begin to sketch in the rooflines of buildings. Use each building as a guideline for the one next to it to make sure the proportions or sizes match.

4. 

   Sketch in the features of the buildings with a sharpened pencil. Erase any lines that are not in proportion to others and re-sketch them.

5. 

   Sketch in the outline of the top of the lighthouse. Notice the sections as you sketch them in. (The railings come in later.)

6. 

   Shade in the very top of the lighthouse roof with the side of the pencil lead.

7. 

   Sketch in the round light inside the glassed in portion of the top of the lighthouse. Shade it in. Sketch in the window panes with a sharpened pencil. Sketch in the railings.

8. 

   Use the side of the dull pencil lead to shade in the side of the lighthouse building.

9. 

   Sketch in all windows, ledges and fencing around the property.

10. 

    Shade in all roofing, sides of buildings and the ocean at the sides of the paper.

11. 

    Sketch in the rocks and shade them in if desired. Remember to sign your art piece.

Tips & Warnings

• Use that eraser. No line is engraved in stone--keep working the drawing until it is what you like.

• Do not worry about crooked lines, simply keep shading to change and straighten them.

• Be careful that you don't smudge your work by resting the side of your hand against the sheet of paper.