wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 63 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time.
This article has been viewed 298,129 times.
Learn more...
This tutorial will show you how to draw swords.
Steps
Drawing the Sword Using Guidelines
-
1Drawing lightly, make guidelines to help visualize the length, bend and the handle of the sword.
-
2Make a rough sketch of the sword's shape, handle and the guard (if any).Advertisement
-
3Create finer details using a sharper tipped pencil or sketching tool.
-
4Draw the final outline over the sketch.
-
5Erase and remove the sketch marks to produce a clean outlined drawing.
-
6Add color or shading to the drawing if needed.
Drawing the Sword Using Shapes
-
1Drawing lightly, sketch the shape of the sword you have in mind.
-
2Sketch additional details for the blade handle and guard (if any)
-
3Create finer details using a sharper tipped pencil or sketching tool.
-
4Draw the final outline over the sketch.
-
5Erase and remove the sketch marks to produce a clean outlined drawing.
-
6Add color or shading to the drawing if needed.
Community Q&A
-
QuestionWhy is it so complicated?
Community AnswerIt really isn't that complex if you go slow. Start with a simple sketch of a long narrow rectangle. Hold your pencil lightly so you can erase easily, then just draw the basic shapes. Once you get these looking the way you want, fill in the details. Practice makes perfect, so keep at it if it doesn't come out right the first time. -
QuestionCan I make one in 3D?
Community AnswerYes, you can color and shade it to make it more realistic. -
QuestionWhy do the swords look plain?
Community AnswerNot all swords were shiny. A less precious sword may not have been polished. If you can watch the video till the very end, you may have seen that the shine was added.
Things You'll Need
- [For print] Paper, Pencil, and an eraser.
- [On a computer] Adobe Illustrator, PhotoShop, or a similar illustration application.
- Sword reference (to sketch while you look at it), typically a a photograph. Or, just draw one you make up.
About This Article
To draw a sword, start by lightly drawing a slightly curved line to help you visualize the length and bend of the sword. Next, draw a small line horizontally across the first one about 1/3 of the way up to mark where the handle stops. Then, sketch in the blade’s shape around the curved line, followed by the outline of a handle at the bottom. Once you’re happy with your drawing, add in details, like designs on the handle, and draw a final outline over the sketched lines. Finally, erase the guidelines and add some color to the drawing. For tips on how to add shading to make a more realistic-looking sword, read on!
