Add depth to your drawings with ellipses!
Have you ever drawn something round — like a cup or a bowl — and wondered why it still looks flat? The secret is in the ellipse, a simple but powerful shape that brings round objects to life. Once you understand ellipses, you’ll start seeing them everywhere — and your art will instantly look more three-dimensional.
What’s an Ellipse?
An ellipse is what a circle looks like when you view it from an angle. Picture looking straight down at a cup — the rim looks like a circle. But as you tilt the cup, that circle begins to look like an oval. That’s an ellipse!
You’ll find ellipses in all kinds of objects — mugs, bowls, bottles, wheels, even the tops of tables. They’re all around you, helping your eye understand depth and perspective.
How to Use Ellipses in Your Drawings
Start with light, smooth lines. Draw an ellipse for the top of your object — like the rim of a cup or the edge of a vase. Then add the sides and close it with another ellipse at the bottom. Instantly, it starts to look like something you could hold.
The trick is to keep your ellipses even and balanced — not too pointy, not too flat. The more you practice, the more natural they’ll feel.
If you want to show water in a glass or layers in a bowl, stack a few ellipses! Each one will add a little more depth and realism to your drawing.
A Few Helpful Tips
- Keep your pencil light at first so you can adjust the curve easily.
- Remember: the flatter the ellipse, the lower your viewpoint.
- Look for ellipses in everyday life — it’s great practice!
