How to Draw an Iceberg: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 5 min read

Embarking on a journey to draw an iceberg may seem daunting at first, but trust me, it's more like an exciting adventure. With a few simple tools and some basic techniques, you'll be sketching out frosty, majestic icebergs in no time. This step-by-step guide is designed to help beginners get a firm grasp on the essentials of drawing an iceberg. So, grab your pencils and let's dive in.

1. Gather Your Drawing Tools

Before you start to draw an iceberg, it's important to gather all the necessary tools. Here's what you'll need:

Choose Your Paper

When choosing paper for your iceberg drawing, consider the texture. A paper with a bit of tooth or texture, such as a sketchpad, will give your iceberg some natural grit. Avoid using printer paper as it's too smooth and won't capture the texture of the iceberg well.

Select Your Pencils

Next, you'll need some good-quality drawing pencils. A standard HB pencil is great for initial sketching. For shading, go for a range of softer pencils, from 2B to 6B. These darker pencils will help you create the depth and texture of the iceberg.

Get An Eraser

Lastly, don't forget an eraser. Even the most experienced artists make mistakes. Having an eraser handy ensures that you can easily correct any errors. A kneaded eraser is a great option because it can be shaped to erase small areas without disturbing the rest of your drawing.

Now that we have our tools ready, let's start to draw an iceberg!

2. Start With A Basic Shape

Starting to draw an iceberg doesn't mean immediately attempting the perfect icy peak. Instead, we start with a basic shape. This approach makes the process manageable and less intimidating.

Draw a Simple Triangle

Begin by sketching a simple triangle. This forms the basic outline of your iceberg. Yes, it's that simple. Remember, the beauty of an iceberg lies in its uniqueness, so don't stress about achieving a perfect shape. Have a slightly crooked line? That's fine — nature isn't perfect, and your iceberg doesn't have to be either.

Add Depth to Your Triangle

Once you've drawn your triangle, it's time to add some depth. Visualize your iceberg as a 3D object. Draw another triangle inside the first one, but slightly offset. This simple technique creates an illusion of depth, making your iceberg look three-dimensional. Now, your iceberg is starting to come to life!

With our basic iceberg shape in place, we're ready to move on to adding details. This is where you can really start to see your iceberg drawing take shape!

3. Add Details to Your Iceberg

With the base shape complete, the next step to draw an iceberg involves adding the details that will make your drawing come alive. Let's dive into the world of texture, reflections, and shadows.

Create Texture with Shading

Icebergs aren't smooth; they're full of cracks and crevices that give them character. The trick to depicting these features is shading. Start by lightly shading your iceberg, then gradually add darker shades to represent the deeper cracks. Your pencil strokes can also add texture — short, choppy strokes can mimic the rough surface of an iceberg.

Illustrate Reflections

Icebergs are renowned for their reflective nature, and this is one detail your drawing shouldn't miss. To capture this, consider where your light source is coming from and add lighter shades on that side of your iceberg. This will create a contrast that gives the illusion of a glistening surface.

Depict Shadowing

Just as important as the reflections are the shadows. Icebergs cast long shadows across the water. To depict this, use darker shades on the opposite side of your light source. This contrast will give your iceberg a realistic, three-dimensional look.

Adding these details might seem like small tweaks, but they're what will make your iceberg drawing truly stand out. Ready to move on? Let's add some context to our iceberg by drawing the surrounding sea.

4. Draw The Sea Around The Iceberg

Now that your iceberg brims with detail and character, it's time to place it in its natural habitat – the sea. Drawing the sea around your iceberg will provide context and make your artwork more engaging.

Outline the Sea Level

Start by drawing a horizontal line across your paper. This line represents the sea level, separating the tip of the iceberg above water from the massive chunk beneath the surface. Remember, the majority of an iceberg is underwater, so make sure your line isn't too low on the paper.

Add Waves to the Sea

Next, let's add some life to the water. Instead of leaving the sea as a flat line, add some waves around the base of the iceberg. Small, wavy lines will do the trick. You can also shade the water around the iceberg to indicate its shadow cast on the water.

Drawing the sea is a great way to show the scale of your iceberg and make your drawing more interesting. With our sea in place, let's perfect our masterpiece in the next step.

5. Refine Your Iceberg Drawing

Now that you've drawn an iceberg and its surrounding sea, it's time to refine your drawing. This step is all about adding the final touches and cleaning up your artwork. Let's dive right into it.

Erase Any Extra Lines

Take a step back and look at your drawing. If you notice any unnecessary lines or rogue pencil marks, now is the time to erase them. A clean drawing is a happy drawing!

Add Final Touches

Finally, let's complete our drawing. Add any final touches that will make your iceberg pop. Perhaps you want to darken some shadows, add more waves to the sea, or even sketch a few clouds in the sky. Feel free to let your creativity shine in this step. After all, you're not just learning to draw an iceberg. You're developing your own unique art style.

And there you have it! You've just learned how to draw an iceberg. But remember, the journey doesn't end here. Art is all about practice and exploration. So, let’s move on to the final step.

6. Practice Makes Perfect

As with any new skill, practice is key when it comes to drawing. The more you draw, the better you'll get. So, don't stop at just one iceberg drawing. Let's see how you can improve and expand your newfound talent.

Draw Daily

Consistency is key in art. Try to sketch something every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. You could draw an iceberg, a different object, or even a quick doodle. You'll be amazed at how much you improve over time.

Try Different Iceberg Shapes

Not all icebergs look the same. Some are tall and narrow, others are wide and flat, and some have unique, jagged shapes. Experiment with different iceberg structures to expand your drawing capabilities. Who knows? You might discover a new favorite shape to draw!

Experiment with Lighting

Light can dramatically change how an iceberg looks. Try drawing your iceberg under different lighting conditions. What does it look like under the bright midday sun? How about at dusk when the light is soft and golden? Or even under the mystical glow of the Northern Lights? Play around with these scenarios to make your iceberg drawings more dynamic and interesting.

Remember, every artist started somewhere. Even the most skilled artists were once beginners. So, keep practicing, keep exploring, and most importantly, keep having fun. Before you know it, you'll be able to draw an iceberg like a pro. Happy drawing!

If you enjoyed learning how to draw an iceberg and want to further develop your drawing skills, check out the workshop 'Learn How to Draw in Procreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will guide you through the amazing features of Procreate, helping you enhance your digital drawing abilities and take your art to the next level.