Chichen Itza, located in Mexico, is a unique and fascinating piece of history. Drawing this masterpiece can sound intimidating, but it’s easier than you might think. With these simple steps, you’ll be sketching Chichen Itza like a pro in no time.
Materials You’ll Need
To draw Chichen Itza effectively, you’ll need some basic supplies, including:
- Pencils- Mechanical and traditional
- Eraser
- Sketchbook or drawing paper
- Ruler
- Black pen (optional)
Step One: Sketching the Basic Shapes
Begin by drawing a small square in the top center of the page. This square will be the base of the pyramid and ensure the proportions are correct. Draw two more squares diagonally to both sides- one to the left and the other to the right. These squares will be, respectively, the base of the northern and southern sides of the pyramid.
Continue by sketching the triangular shapes attaching to and below each square. The triangles should point inward and meet at the center. These should be the same height as your square.
Step Two: Drawing the Pyramid and Platform
With the basic shapes in place, use your ruler to draw straight lines from each corner of the triangle to its opposite corner. These lines will create the sides of the pyramid. Make sure that the corners the lines meet at intersect in straight lines. With the pyramid drawn, add the rectangular platform beneath it by drawing a rectangle over the square drawn earlier- this is the foundational platform.
Step Three: Adding Details to the Pyramid
Details are what make your drawing unique. For this step, add the characteristically rounded corners to each level of the pyramid by sketching lines along the outer edges. Draw narrow, diagonal lines from the corners to create the slope on each level of the pyramid.
Step Four: Drawing the Temple and Columns
Draw two lines about halfway down the pyramid’s height to create the top of the temple. This temple is rectangular and should sit in the center of the pyramid. With some shape now defined, draw in the columns of the temple- plain rectangular columns with square bases with plain capital at the top.
Step Five: Adding Wall Detail
Draw a thin line around the top of the temple and on each level of the pyramid. This thin line serves as a guide for carving into the pyramid stone structure as a decoration. It should be the same distance from the temple’s top and the pyramid corner.
Step Six: Adding Shading & Texture
Using light lines, add some texture and shading to the walls of the pyramid and temple. In stone carvings, the same type of design would cover the structure’s sides. For every level of pyramid increase the contrast between the shadows and highlights. Shading is a gradual color blending process from light to the darkest shade. Adding high contrast markings in black or red to the corners and crevices will add depth to these intricate details.
Step Seven: Fine-Tune Your Details
The last few details you add are essential to bringing your drawings to life. Make all necessary adjustments and fine-tune the details where needed, entirely erasing out the lines around the pyramid or borders if no longer needed. Make sure the details blend smoothly into one another.
Step Eight: Inking Your Drawing
When your drawing is complete, it’s great to add ink for those lines that you want to be bold. Ink will make everything more noticeable and helps give a final touch to the drawing. Allow the ink to dry before erasing the pencil lines.
Step Nine: Adding Contrast Color(s)
Finally, adding colors could be the best decision to make it stand out. The best colors would be the same as the real Chichen Itza, red and black with other color variations. In this step, it’s essential to use colored pencils rather than paint.
Step Ten: Preserve Your Artwork
After accomplishing your drawing, preserve your artwork for years to come by storing it in a safe, clean folder inside of an album or locked safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are pyramid-shaped temples?
Pyramid-shaped temples are buildings with pointed tops, similar to ancient Egyptian pyramids. These structures were common in many cultures, including the Mayans.
What materials were used to build Chichen Itza?
The Mayans used limestone blocks to build Chichen Itza. The blocks were cut to fit together tightly without mortar.
Why were pyramids significant to the Mayans?
Mayan pyramids were not only places of worship, but they were also used for astronomical observations. Mayans believed that the pyramid shape could connect them with their gods.
What is the purpose of the temple atop the Chichen Itza pyramid?
The temple on top of the Chichen Itza pyramid is believed to have been used for various religious and ceremonial activities. It was also used for astronomical observations and may have been used as an altar.
Is it justifiable only to draw Chichen Itza in pencils?
No, you can use any art materials to draw or paint Chichen Itza. But in the second last step, outlined options with color would make your drawing even more beautiful.
Where is Chichen Itza found?
Chichen Itza is located in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.