Hot air balloon drawn in black and gray fineliner on pale cream textured sketchbook paper, with a complete silhouette and open margins.
Drawing referenceAbout reference use

Hot air balloon fine ink study

One complete hot-air balloon with a broad envelope, a small basket and four suspension lines, no scenery. Practice form, overlap and selective shading in fine ink.

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A way into the drawing

  1. Establish the main shapes

    Place the large envelope above a small basket.

  2. Connect the structure

    Connect the tapering envelope base and four suspension lines.

  3. Develop the drawing

    Use selective interior marks and local shadow groups to explain the overlaps. Keep the lighter planes open rather than shading every surface.

A small thing to tryKeep the basket suspended directly below the envelope.