Here is a step-by-step guide on how to draw a sphere in 3d, including the shading techniques to give it depth and dimension. This art tutorial will cover all the essentials of sketching and shading a circle to transform it into a 3d sphere.
Learn how to draw a 3d ball (sphere) for beginners in this quick and easy art lesson. Draw along with the online video or follow the step-by-step guide to get started.

Jump to:
- Is Learning How to Draw a Sphere Important?
- Materials to Draw a 3d Sphere
- How to Draw a Sphere 3d Video Tutorial
- Transcript
- Draw a Sphere in 3d Step-by-step Guide
- Variations to Drawing a Sphere
- Tips and Tricks to Make Drawing Spheres Easier
- Draw a Sphere in 3d Shareable Directions
- Sphere Image for Drawing Practice
- For More Practice Drawing 3d Spheres
- Frequently Asked Questions
- You also might like
Drawing a 3D sphere might seem challenging at first, but with a few simple steps and some shading techniques, you can transform a basic circle into a realistic three-dimensional object.
This guide will walk you through the process, from sketching the basic form to adding the final touches for a perfect sphere. This is a perfect drawing lesson for kids or adults.
Is Learning How to Draw a Sphere Important?
Learning how to draw a 3d sphere is an important first step in learning how to draw. Sketching balls, spheres and other basic shapes will help you see more accurately and become a better artist.
Sketching a 3d sphere correctly is an important drawing skill. It will help you learn how to see objects in space and then depict the shape and value into paper.
More importantly, spheres translate into many other objects that you might want to draw or paint.
Within still lives, spheres can be seen in many fruits, vegetables, eggs, bowls, cups and pitchers and other objects.
In figures, the sphere is necessary for accurately drawing shoulders, elbows, knees, heads, eyes, noses and much more.
Spheres are also commonly seen in planets, water drops, bubbles, balls, balloons, light bulbs and stones. Think about a setting sun or rising moon.
Believe it or not, students in art schools actually spend many hours drawing 3d spheres and other simple shapes.
After you have mastered spheres, drawing other objects and figures will be easier. Drawing a sphere is a basic drawing ability that is fundamental to learning how to sketch, draw, paint and even sculpt well.
Materials to Draw a 3d Sphere
The materials that you need for this lesson include:
- Pencil
- Paper (Drawing paper is best but you can use whatever you have available. I am using a 5.5 x 8.5 inch spiral bound sketchbook with 60lb paper)
How to Draw a Sphere 3d Video Tutorial
Transcript
Read TranscriptDraw a Sphere in 3d Step-by-step Guide

When drawing a sphere keep in mind the different highlighted and shadowed areas. Highlights, mid tones, core shadow (the darkest shaded area of the sphere), cast shadow and reflected highlights should all be visible in your drawing.




- Sketch in a circle for the sphere or ball shape, drawing lightly.
- Sketch in an ellipse at the base of the circle for the shadow.
- Determine where your light source is coming from. Leave a white white highlight where light is hitting the sphere or ball.
- Shade in the darkest areas first. Use short strokes that follow the counter of the circle.
- Work from the outside of the circle in toward the highlight. Use lighter and lighter shading as you get closer to the highlight.
- Go over all the shaded area again making the dark areas darker. Try to get an even tone as you transition from darks to lights.
- Leave an area on the bottom darker part of the sphere just a bit lighter than the surrounding dark values. This is the reflected highlight. Light is hitting the table (or surface) and bouncing back onto the sphere leaving it a little lighter.
- Darken the core shadows of the sphere even more.
- Lastly, darken in the ellipse to make the shadow. Shade in more lightly at edges of the shadow to soften it a little bit.
Variations to Drawing a Sphere

- Add color to your sphere by painting it in with watercolor or acrylic paint.
- Draw a sphere and then color in the value using soft pastels, oil pastels or colored pencils.
- Add some background in behind your sphere. Start with a horizon line and expand from there. You could add walls, a table cloth, windows etc.
Tips and Tricks to Make Drawing Spheres Easier
- Move from your shoulder and don’t wiggle your wrist when drawing the initial circle and eclipse. This will help you make more accurate shapes.
- When drawing in the initial shapes make very light lines. They will be easier to erase if you need to adjust your sketch.
- Move your paper as you work to make the shading easier.
- Don’t forget to leave the reflected highlight. This is important to make your 3d sphere look more realistic.
Draw a Sphere in 3d Shareable Directions

Learn How to Draw an Easy 3d Sphere Step by Step with Shading
Equipment
- Pencil
- Paper (Drawing paper is best but you can use whatever you have available. I am using a 5.5 x 8.5 inch spiral bound sketchbook with 60lb paper)
Instructions
- Sketch in a circle for the sphere or ball shape, drawing lightly.
- Sketch in an ellipse at the base of the circle for the shadow.
- Determine where your light source is coming from. Leave a white white highlight where light is hitting the sphere or ball.
- Shade in the darkest areas first. Use short strokes that follow the counter of the circle.
- Work from the outside of the circle in toward the highlight. Use lighter and lighter shading as you get closer to the highlight.
- Go over all the shaded area again making the dark areas darker. Try to get an even tone as you transition from darks to lights.
- Leave an area on the bottom darker part of the sphere just a bit lighter than the surrounding dark values. This is the reflected highlight. Light is hitting the table (or surface) and bouncing back onto the sphere leaving it a little lighter.
- Darken the core shadows of the sphere even more.
- Lastly, darken in the ellipse to make the shadow. Shade in more lightly at edges of the shadow to soften it a little bit.
Notes
- Move from your shoulder and don’t wiggle your wrist when drawing the initial circle and eclipse. This will help you make more accurate shapes.
- When drawing in the initial shapes make very light lines. They will be easier to erase if you need to adjust your sketch.
- Move your paper as you work to make the shading easier.
- Don’t forget to leave the reflected highlight. This is important to make your 3d sphere look more realistic.
Sphere Image for Drawing Practice
For More Practice Drawing 3d Spheres
- Draw several spheres together.
- Change the direction of the light source on your sphere. Sketch it with the light hitting the bottom, directly in the middle front or the top. What changes in the value if you place the light directly behind the sphere?
- Set up your own still life using a playground ball, globe or styrofoam craft ball.
- Challenge yourself by drawing a bowl of round fruit or eggs from a still life.

Frequently Asked Questions
Sketch in a circle for the sphere or ball shape, drawing lightly. Sketch in an ellipse at the base of the circle for the shadow. Then shade it in to make it appear 3 dimensional.
Shade in the darkest areas first, the areas opposite the light source. Leave a white highlight where light is hitting it. Use short strokes that follow the counter of the circle. Try to get an even tone as you transition from darks to lights.
Shade the circle to make it appear 3d. Choose a direction for the light source. Leave a white highlight where light is hitting it. Shade in the opposite side darker, gradually shading from dark to light tones. Use short strokes that follow the counter of the circle. Add a dark shadow at the base.
Learning how to draw a sphere correctly is important drawing skill. Spheres and balls also translate into many other objects that you might want to draw or paint. Spheres can be seen in fruit, eggs, bowls, cups, figures, shoulders, knees, heads, eyes, noses, planets, water drops, bubbles, light bulbs and stones and much more.

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- Cross Hatching Drawing
- Drawing Paper (Everything You Need to Know)
- How to Draw a Cylinder
- How to Draw a Box
- Learn How to Draw an Eye
Please leave your questions, comments and reviews below!
Jordan says
Great lesson. Looks like I need to practice this shading more but I really like it.