Inside: How to draw a lightbulb with details and blending tips for shading.
Hello Artists! This is a fun drawing. Light Bulbs could be just a lightbulb, it can be shining bright or not lit but reflecting the light around it.
This is a great way to practice your shading and blending techniques.
Supplies
Supplies you’ll need to draw a lightbulb and shade it correctly.
- Paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Colored Pencil
- Clean Tissue (for blending)
Artist tip: As with any drawing it’s important to recognize how much space you are working with.
To do this, point to the middle of your paper with your finger or pencil. This will tell your eyes how much space you have to draw in.
It does not have to be exact!
Let’s get started
How to draw a lightbulb base
1. Draw a slightly curved line just below the middle of the paper. This is the bottom of the bulb.
2. Next, about a finger width below that line, draw another curved line, just a little shorter.
3. Draw vertical lines connecting the 2 curve lines. Then draw a long zig zag line inside the rectangle shape that is made.
4. Make the sides of the rectangle, wavy where the zig zag lines tough the sides.
5. Next, add a smaller rectangle shape to the bottom.
How to draw the body of a lightbulb
6. About 2 finger widths up from the big rectangle shape, draw a circle.
This will be the “body” of the bulb, draw it a little wider than the bottom.
7. Next, draw gently sloping lines from the circle to the bottom. Smooth out the outside lines.
8. Erase the bottom of the circle.
How to color a light bulb
The Best Part: Color/shade/fill with pictures. Your choice Artist!
Artist’s Tip: Take your time.
I used a regular pencil to shade most of the bulb, I left it blank before the edge of the bulb. I left 2 square areas where the light would be reflected.
Also, I left a lighter space in the bottom area. This is usually metal so it would be darker than the bulb. Then everything is blended gently using the clean tissue on my finger.
Blending creates the smooth texture on the bulb. Use the eraser to clean up the areas that are meant to be white.
There you go, you’ve drawn and shaded in your light bulb… great job!
Shall we also draw a chandelier to put these bulbs on or a candle for when the electricity goes out?