A chambered nautilus shell

A study of a cutaway nautilus shell with spiral chambers, striped outer shell, and a shaded opening on textured paper. Establish the widening spiral and the large terminal opening.

A way into the drawing

1. Establish the construction

   Establish the widening spiral and the large terminal opening.

2. Resolve the main structure

   Divide the inner coil into curved chambers that grow gradually outward.

3. Develop the detail

   Add shell wall thickness and selected growth bands following the coil.

4. Control the values

   Model the cut edges and deep chamber recesses with controlled graphite.

A small thing to tryKeep the spiral opening wider as it moves outward.