How to Draw a 3D Heart - Optical Illusion Drawing

How to Draw a 3D Heart – Optical Illusion Drawing

Learning how to create an optical illusion is fun and easy if you follow some simple techniques. Today you’ll learn how to draw a 3D heart that looks like it’s popping off the paper.

We’ll show you step by step how to create your own optical illusions. Op art is one of the most fun and relaxing types of art to create. And I’m certain you’ll find it as rewarding as I do.

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3D Heart Drawing Step by Step

Step one – Draw a Heart

The first thing you need to do is draw your heart the size and shape needed for your finished artwork. This is done by laying out some basic shapes.

We go over this process in our How to Draw a Perfect Heart tutorial.

Lightly sketch out your heart and make any corrections as needed. You can draw your heart in any style you choose. It can curve at the bottom, or you can make it short and chunky.

Don’t be afraid to add your own style and flare to your heart drawing.

Step Two – Create the Optical Illusion

To create your optical illusion, and make your 3D heart appear to be popping off the paper, make the lines of your heart curved. And the lines for the background straight.

Learning how to draw a 3D heart is pretty easy. However, the way you draw your lines will make or break your drawing. So be sure to follow this step very closely.

Continue drawing your lines this way until you’ve filled your entire paper. I’m doing my drawing on artist trading cards (ATCs). This is what I use for most of my artwork because it’s a huge time saver and I like making multiple drawings of the same thing.

When drawing your lines you want to keep them fairly evenly spaced apart, but they don’t have to be perfect.

As you work your way through your drawing it will get more difficult to draw your background lines straight in certain areas. Just be sure to make your lines curve opposite from the ones on your heart.

Step Three – Add Color

When adding color you want to use a color scheme to create harmony in your artwork. Choose two or three colors and alternate them to create a color pattern.

We can teach you all about Color Theory is you’re not sure about how to choose your colors.

You can use markers or colored pencils to color your 3D Heart drawing. Colored pencils will give you a softer, more muted feel. While markers will give you a bolder feel. Either one is fine and just depends on which you prefer.

If you don’t know what your preference is, you need to practice more and do several drawings. Which is a great way to improve your skills and creativity. Through practice and repetition you’ll develop your artistic style and learn what you like or don’t like.

Step Four – Add Shading

To help create your optical illusion and make your heart look even more 3D, add some shading around the entire heart. This can be done with a black colored pencil, a gray marker, or anything else you want to try using.

Art should be fun and enjoyable. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things, now that you know how to draw a 3D heart.

You can also use a white colored pencil to add some white highlights to the highest points of your heart. This will help pull those areas even further forward.

3D Heart Drawing Examples and Ideas

As I mentioned earlier, the best way to improve is with practice and repetition. The more you draw something the better you will get at it. And, the more your creativity will develop.

Drawing small will save you a lot of time and allow you to experiment more and give you a little more freedom. When creating your artwork you should feel relaxed, not stressed.

You could try drawing multiple hearts on your paper. Or you could draw one big heart and let it go off the edge of your paper. Try to come up with something different and unique.

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