Shoes can be quite challenging to sketch, especially for beginners. The great news is that there is a wide array of shoes to choose from. So why not start with something simple, like sketching wedge shoes?
In this tutorial, I will guide you through the process of drawing wedge high heel shoes, including the feet. Feel free to follow along with me by watching the video below and sketching alongside. You can pause the video whenever necessary to get a closer look at the steps and images provided.
Create a Grid
To ensure proper placement of your lines, you can create a grid of 6 squares as guidelines. Although this step is optional, it can be helpful if you want your wedge shoes and feet to closely resemble the reference image. Be sure to use a ruler to construct your squares accurately.
Sketch the Basic Shapes
For this drawing, let’s focus on the two center grid squares. Start by lightly sketching the basic shapes for the legs and feet. Use elongated oval shapes for the legs, and take note of how the lines overlap. Even though the right leg is in front, we should still see the outlines of the left leg. This will assist us in properly placing the unobstructed features. Later on, we can erase the lines that should be hidden. For the feet, use wedge shapes, and use smaller ovals or circles for the heels and ankles. Begin forming a wedge shape for the wedge shoes, making them taller in the back and showing a bit of curvature as they extend to the front.
Define the Legs, Feet, and Shoes
Now let’s use the shapes we’ve sketched as guidelines to add more defining lines and detail to the legs and feet. Don’t feel restricted to trace over the guidelines exactly. Feel free to draw to the right or left of the guidelines to achieve more natural and slender curves. For the ankles, add a line or two, and do your best to indicate the toes using the wedge shapes as a reference. To represent the outer soles and insoles, draw thin lines on the top and bottom of each shoe. Notice the barely noticeable heel on the bottom of the shoe and the space between the foot and the insole. Add straps for the heel, toes, and ankles. The heel strap should overlap the insole slightly, and you can erase the concealed part of the strap. For extra detail, consider adding a buckle and a few holes to the ankle strap.
Add Shading and Final Touches
To plan your light source and determine where the shadows should be, create guidelines to help you place shading. This will allow you to make any necessary adjustments before committing to extensive shading. Proceed to add shading by following your guidelines from the previous step. Pay attention to areas that need to be darker, such as where the foot meets the insole and where the front leg casts a shadow on the leg behind it. Also, indicate the curves on the front part of the shoes with gradual shading. Carefully erase any remaining guidelines, including the square gridlines and any unnecessary shape guidelines. Make sure to retain the lines you want to keep.
And that’s how you sketch wedge high heel shoes on a pair of feet!
Feel free to practice with different styles of wedge shoes in the future. This exercise will also help improve your ability to draw feet, as you will be drawing shoes that conform to the basic shape of the foot, rather than drawing the feet in isolation. Remember, mastering the intricacies of feet and toes takes time and practice. Keep sketching until you achieve a satisfying composition of shoes and feet!
