How to Draw Buildings

Reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson

Last Updated: July 22, 2024

Whether you’re coming up with designs for construction or merely sketching a cityscape, it’s helpful to know how to draw a building. Here is an easy tutorial on how to draw your very own!

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The smallest one goes on the top and the largest one on the bottom. The general shape should be similar to that of a pyramid, but of course comprised of several prisms rather than one polyhedron.
These will serve as guidelines for the windows and the entrance of the building. You can make them as large or as small as you’d like, with more width or length depending on how you want your building to look.

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These include an extra part of the structure protruding from the top and a shadow/border at the bottom (to make the drawing more realistic).
You can also adjust lines that don't fit your taste. Erase the guidelines. You should outline your image BEFORE erasing, however, or you might confuse your windows with extraneous lines.
Add some shadows and highlights to the picture, especially at the windows. Once everything is shaded and you’ve made sure to add in all your desired details, you're done!

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How do I draw a house?

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Draw only one of the cubes, erase the back two sides and draw a pointed roof.

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Is there another way to draw the building instead of drawing three cubes?

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Do a tall rectangle to make a block of flats or just improvise by using different angles and shapes!

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How do I draw a hospital?

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Draw the building explained above, but only one level. Add details around the building, such as a sign that says, "Hospital" or "Emergency." Add ambulances and other vehicles around the building.

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Tips

Draw lightly in pencil so that you can easily rub out mistakes.

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If your eventual goal is to draw very complex architecture (e.g., the Eiffel Tower), know that this is a good place to start. Practice over and over with this basic three-story building, and once you have the mechanics down pat you’ll be ready to start drawing more intricate structures.

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If you need help drawing the cube, see Draw-a-3D-Box

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