How to Draw Cathedrals in 5 Steps

This grand cathedral is a stunning sight. You will love learning to draw this cathedral if you are a fan of history or architecture -- or if you're looking for a drawing challenge.

In this section, we'll show you how to draw this cathedral. You can draw it freehand while looking at your computer monitor, or you can print out this page to get a closer look at each step.

Here, we'll show you an illustration of each step and then give you a description of how to draw it. Follow the red lines in each illustration to learn exactly what to draw in that step. The lines drawn in previous steps are shown in gray.

1. Outline

Draw three connected rectangles, with the center one being larger than the others. Sketch two diagonal lines in each that intersect in the middle. Find the peaks of the steeples by drawing vertical lines through the center of each X.

Extend these vertical lines past the tops of the rectangles. Draw a triangle and a rectangle over the left-hand rectangle and a triangle over both the center and right-hand rectangles. Extend a line over the center of the middle triangle.

2. Turrets and Foundation

Divide each triangle into fourths with straight lines starting at the peak. Draw a horizontal line over the center triangle to form a cross. Add V-shaped figures and straight lines to the left-hand triangle to form a turret.

Define the surface with double horizonal lines as shown. Extend two short diagonal lines from the bottom corners of the building. Connect them with a horizontal line.

3. Columns

Add columns with single, double, and triple vertical lines. Top the columns with odd U-shaped figures. Draw one long and one short line under the turret. Add two vertical lines under the right steeple. Sketch one horizontal line across the lower columns on the left.

4. Arches

On the left-hand side of the cathedral, draw double arches. Finish the cross with a short vertical line. Sketch double arches over the central part of the building. Detail them with curly lines. Add a wheel-shaped figure with spokes to the center and add curly lines underneath. Top it with a V-shaped figure.

On the right-hand side of the cathedral, draw one double arch and two sets of arches with odd-shaped tops. Add U-shaped lines to two of them. Sketch a zigzag line for the ground behind the cathedral. Finish the steps with long horizontal lines whose ends point downward.

5. Shading

Shade the roof with diagonal lines and the windows with crisscross lines. Add connecting half-circles to the top front of the cathedral.

Your drawing is finished! Even if you don't get it right the first time, keep practicing until you're happy with your drawing.

The Taj Mahal is a wonder of beauty and architecture. Learn how to draw the Taj Mahal in the next section.