How to Draw the Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate was one of a series of gates built around Berlin in the late 18th century. Today, as the only remaining gate, the Brandenburg is a symbol of Berlin, and the trademark entrance to the city. As an art subject, the Brandenburg Gate appears to be complicated but can be broken down into a few simple geometric figures. Once you draw the basic structure, you can add details to flesh out the image.
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Instructions
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1
Draw six rectangles, 1/2 inch wide and 3 1/2 inches high. They should be spaced an inch apart except for the middle two, which will be spaced 1 1/2 inches apart. These are the columns.
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2
On top of the six columns, draw a rectangle that extends over each column. The rectangle should be 1/2 inch high, and only as wide as it needs to be to fit over the line of columns you drew in Step 1.
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3
On top of the rectangle you drew in Step 2, draw a quadrilateral (a four-sided polygon). The bottom of the quadrilateral will be equal in width to--and flush with--the top of the rectangle you drew in step 2 (about 8 1/2 inches long). The top of the quadrilateral will be about 10 inches long. The quadrilateral will be 1/4 inch high.
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4
Draw another rectangle centered on top of the rectangle you drew in Step 3. This rectangle will be 1/2 inch high and 8 inches wide.
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5
Draw another quadrilateral centered on top of the rectangle you drew in Step 4. The base of the quadrilateral will be equal in width to--and flush against--the top of the rectangle. The top of the quadrilateral will be about 8 1/2 inches wide. The quadrilateral will be 1/4 inch high.
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6
Draw four narrow ovals in the center of the rectangle you drew in Step 5. These ovals should be slightly less than 1 inch tall and 1/4 inch wide. There should be a space in the center of the second and third ovals, for the center figure. These ovals represent the horses on top of the monument. Embellish with details as desired--front legs raised, head, necks and ears.
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7
In the center of the horses, draw an oval of the same height, about 1/2 inch wide. This represents the figure. Embellish with details as desired.
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Tips & Warnings
When drawing the gate, keep a photograph of the gate in front of you. Refer to it regularly.
Turn the oval shapes of the horses into a more organic shape to give the appearance of horses, and do the same for the statue in the center.
References
- Photo Credit brandenburger tor image by Angelika Bentin from Fotolia.com
