How to Draw Circles and Cylinders in Perspective

How to Draw Circles and Cylinders in perspective


Pen - Copic Multiliner 0.05 (any fine pen will do, biro is ideal too!)
Sketchpad – Daler Rowney – Smooth – heavyweight (anything smooth will do)


In this drawing session, I'll explain some simple methods for drawing a circle in perspective before drawing some cylinders in 2 point perspective.

It’s worth remembering, this is my own preferred technique and there is no wrong way to draw so long as you’re enjoying the process.

Please do check out my full series on drawing in perspective as it helps to start with the basics.

Have fun!

[errorsansglitch]

I absolutely LOVE your ‘wobbly’ lines they have so much personality, i might have to try including this in my art 🤭

[SCUBE]

i always struggled to get ellipse in perspective.. This video gave me an immense knowledge of perspective ellipses. Thank you so much Luke.

[illustrator_q]

Thank you for this Luke! The part about dividing the diagonal line into thirds to mark where the circle’s edge lies is a great tool.

[g.e.whitman]

I've never seen anyone draw like you this is really helpful too thanks

[jean-lais]

what I was looking for. Thank you very much. Keep it up

[BlammorSybel]

You sir, are brilliant. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[AlbertChalmers]

Using this method to sketch King Alfred Tower and find it very helpful. Would be a cool site to draw on location! Thanks Luke!

[tastenquasper]

I'm teaching myself techniques for drawing and this is so insightful! Thanks a lot!

[angeloabner]

Hi sir thank you for another video, I am applying my learnings from your videos and your techniques in my drawings and it helps a lot because im a drafting student, i am thankful for your videos ive learned a lot. 💙

[twoinchestall]

luke adam hawker, sir, your videos are practically my free therapy/art sessions.

[pentachronic]

I notice you use a lot of wavy lines instead of straight. Are you doing this because you can average them out over long distance ?

[DanielFedericoChavez]

are you doing the wobbly lines on purpose?

[LewisRashard]

I need help with the initial square in perspective. I get that the second square is based off the first square. But how do you know how far along to put the second line to make the first square?

(I’m trying to draw a bunch of different sized cylinders stacked on top of each other but they are all warped)

[dimitriskliros]

1:47 How do you know that you’re drawing a square and not a rectangle?

[theapexpredator]

Would love it if you could explain an accurate approach to creating circles and squares in perspective.
I know there are many methods out there, but no one actually seems to explain why their method is correct.
Btw, interesting use of wavy lines...

[retardno]

Your line style is hard to watch, and there are some fundamental mistakes here, but nice video nonetheless. Does its job. Keep practicing, we're all eternal students.