From the archive
Let's draw sunglasses on a towel
Treat this as one small practice round: build the subject lightly, notice the shapes, then darken only the lines that help the finished sketch.
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01
Place the towel and lenses
Draw a tilted rectangle for the towel, then place two light rounded lens guides across the middle.
Sketch tip: Let the towel angle first. The sunglasses will feel more relaxed if they follow that slant.
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02
Connect the sunglass frame
Wrap a rim around each lens and connect them with a short bridge between the circles.
Sketch tip: Keep both rims the same thickness. A second light pass around each lens is enough.
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03
Fold back the arms
Add the folded side arms peeking from behind the lenses, following the towel's angle.
Sketch tip: Tuck the arms under the frame edges so they look folded back, not sticking straight out.
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04
Add towel details
Refine the towel edges, sketch a few long stripes, and add little fringe marks along the ends.
Sketch tip: Do not make every fringe identical. Small differences keep the cloth feeling hand drawn.
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05
Shade the lenses
Fill both lenses with soft dark graphite and leave a small pale highlight near the top of each lens.
Sketch tip: Shade around the highlights instead of drawing white shapes on top. Untouched paper stays brightest.
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06
Finish the sunny sketch
Darken the keeper contours, strengthen the towel texture, and add restrained shadows under the frame and fringe.
Sketch tip: Stop before the towel gets too busy. The dark lenses should remain the strongest value.
