Have you recently developed a taste for scroll drawings? The first step towards being creative is mastering the basics of drawing a scroll. The good news is that you can get started on the image right away with just a marker and a paper; it’s probably easier than you think.
Picture the parchment as a long tube with a flat piece of paper in the middle. Grab a pen and paper, for here we go!
| Difficult level | Easy- Beginner |
| Estimate time | 10m |
| Material recommendation | Pen, marker/ color pencil, pastel/ paper |
How to Draw a Scroll – Step by Step
Step 1: Sketch the Shape
To sketch the simplest look of a scroll, we need to draw two cylinders to showcase the top and bottom roll of paper. If you don’t know how to draw a simple cylinder, check out our quick guide here.
- Using your pencil, draw two cylinders parallel to each other.
- Then, connect the two cylinders by their center axis. However, you should suppose that the top cylinder’s axis is visible while the bottom is not.
- Now, refer to the image above to remove the unseen part (red lines).
- Next, you’ll want to add minor curves to the top and bottom of the paper to make it look like it’s been rolled.
Step 2: Add more Details to The Scroll
- You will want the scroll to look like it’s flying in the wind, so make the curves larger, both the paper and its rolled parts.
- Then, add small paper rip lines on both sides.
Step 3: Color the Scroll
- Choose a bright pastel color for the scroll, in case you want to add words or details on its surface.
- Then, use a darker shade of the same color to create the shading effect, such as the rolled parts hidden from the light.
- Now, add texts or scribbled lines to make the scroll look real.
Let’s get Creative!
The beauty of a scroll is that it may be depicted in an oriental style, so you can color its background to appear as if light is shining from behind it.
Alternatively, you can create a mysterious image by merging darker colors, such as purple and blue in the background to highlight the scroll.
You can also add lettering if you want to send important messages through a scroll drawing.
