People often read scrolls in medieval times as a means of announcing information to a large crowd. Here is how to draw one of your own.

Steps

  1. 1
    Draw a big rectangular shape. This will be the scroll's unfolded sheet.
  2. 2
    Add a tube-like shape above and below the rectangular shape. These will serve as the scroll's rolls.
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  3. 3
    Outline the shape of the scroll over the sketch. Make a few holes/tears on the edges so your scroll will look more timeworn and medieval.
  4. 4
    At each end of each roll draw a handle. They should be sort of shaped like umbrella handles, or like grips on swords--look at the illustration for reference.
  5. 5
    Line the drawing with black ink. Try to make a modular line, which passes from a thin to a thick line and vice versa. This will make your drawing look better and more professional.
  6. 6
    Erase the pencil from your drawing and start coloring. Use light, warm colors, like beige and light yellow.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    What are scrolls used for?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Books, before they were flat bound paper, were scrolls. If you're drawing something in an ancient setting, go for a scroll. Scrolls are also still used for religious texts like the Qur'an, or can be used to symbolise maps.
  • Question
    How do I paint it to look like it is old?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use shading and grayish, brownish colors. Add little cracks and tears.
  • Question
    What colours should be used?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    That depends on what kind of scroll you would like to draw. If drawing an old, forgotten one, go for neutral browns and greys, maybe adding some texture with shade. A more modern one would have clean and crisp colors, like white with a blue shade. If doing a rich, important scroll, try deep, expensive-looking colors such as dark purples and reds. Do what you think suits what you want to do!
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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 135,369 times.
194 votes - 79%
Co-authors: 12
Updated: March 3, 2021
Views: 135,369
Categories: Drawing Objects
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