How to Draw Plans for Heirloom Shadow Boxes
Heirlooms are special objects that people treasure. They treasure them for what they represent and for the cherished memories they hold. One of the ways they can be displayed is in an heirloom shadow box. Drawing plans for the box is a straightforward process. These instructions are for a box measuring 16 by 20 inches by 4 inches deep. The dimensions include an American eagle cut-out design mounted on top of the box. When drawing shadow box plans, be sure to mark all measurements alongside the lines being drawn for reference when the actual box is being built.
Things You'll Need
- Drawing pencil
- 20-by-24 inch wood drawing board
- 20-by-24-inch paper, 4 sheets
- Masking tape
- T square metal ruler, 26-inch
- 45 degree triangle, 12-inch
- Eraser
- Notebook for ideas and notes
Instructions
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1
Tape the 20-by- 24-inch drawing paper vertically on the drawing board with masking tape.
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2
Measure 4 inches in on all sides. Place the T square ruler on the edge of the drawing board, and draw a rectangle measuring 16 by 20 inches.
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3
Measure 4 inches down from the top of rectangle and draw a horizontal line across the rectangle connecting one side of the box with the other creating a 4-by 16-inch rectangle on top and a 16-by-16-inch box on the bottom. The 4-by-16-inch rectangle is where the eagle cut-out goes.
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4
Measure 3/4 inch in all around on the inside of the 16-by-16-inch box and with T square ruler connect measurements to create an inside box measuring 14 1/2 by 14 1/2 inches. This drawing represents the shadow box showing its 3/4-inch wood sides.
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5
Measure 2 inches in all around on the inside the 14 1/2 by 14 1/2 inches. Connect measurements and draw another inside box with the T square. This inside box will measure 10 1/2 by 10 1/2 inches. This will be the size of the inside frame for the shadow box.
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6
Position the T square along the bottom line of the box. Place the 45 degree triangle on the T square and line it up with the diagonal edge running through the bottom left corner. Draw a diagonal line from the bottom left corner of the box all the way through to the inner line that was just drawn. This represents the 45 degree angle at which the boards will have to be cut to construct the box sides and the inside frame. Repeat this step and draw 45 degree angle lines at the other three corners.
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7
Inside of the top 4-by-16-inch rectangle, draw the outline of the final eagle cut-out. If more detail is desired, draw features of the eagle inside the outline as a reference for carving.
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Tips & Warnings
For plan ideas for heirloom shadow boxes, go to an antique store and study the various types of antique boxes and shadow box frames. Make sketches or take photos to use as resources for drawing plans.
To draw shadow boxes in a 3D 3/4 view, study how to draw in "perspective," using the horizon line and vanishing points in the drawing.
A good way to learn how to draw a shadow box is to purchase a shadow box at an art or craft supply store and make drawings using dimensions from the box.
Go to a building center and learn about wood sizes so plans are correct. For instance, a board labeled 1 inch in thickness is really 3/4-inch thick.
