How to Draw Folds

Drawing folds and drapery can seem tricky at first. Whether it’s clothing, curtains, or other fabrics, the many lines, shadows, and textures can be challenging to master. However, mastering how to draw folds is an essential step in making your drawings look more realistic and full of life.

In this exercise, we’ll draw folds in fabric together to develop a better understanding of the dynamics and depth of folds. Whether you’re just starting to draw or looking to improve your skills, this exercise will help you draw fabric folds more realistically and thoughtfully.

Reference: A white or light-colored piece of fabric

For this exercise, use any plain white fabric as a reference. If white isn’t available, light-colored fabric will work as well. Darker fabrics make it harder to see the shadows, and patterned fabrics would only distract from the exercise.

I’m using a simple white T-shirt and draping it over a vertical box on my desk. You can arrange the fabric however you like; the key is to create some folds and position it so you can easily glance between the fabric and your paper without moving your head.

Sketch: Basic shape of the fabric

Start by making a rough sketch of your reference. Use an H2 pencil to keep your lines light.

You don’t need to capture every detail in this step, but take your time with the sketch. Focus on outlining the fabric and drawing lines where the most prominent folds are. We aren’t concerned with light and dark areas yet, but you’ll want to establish a few key folds to help guide you through the rest of the drawing.

In my reference, for example, there are three vertical folds that will help me with orientation.

Drawing folds through shadows

The number of folds can seem overwhelming at first, so mentally break your reference into smaller sections and draw them one at a time.

Make sure to draw under consistent lighting, either at the same time of day or with the same lighting setup. This will ensure that the light and shadows on your reference remain the same and prevent confusion from changing light conditions.

Start with an H2 pencil and use it to draw all the shadows, even the dark ones. Once you’ve completed this first layer, switch to a softer pencil like an HB to deepen the darker areas.

You can use different hatching techniques for shading. In my example, I’m using circular hatching because it makes it easier for me to create soft transitions and gradients between light and dark.

As you draw, you’ll notice that while folds can vary in shape, they share common characteristics. The wider the fold, the broader the transition from light to dark. The narrower the fold, the tighter this transition becomes.

In addition to the shadows on the fold itself, you’ll also see shadows cast by the fold onto nearby areas. This exercise is about closely examining your reference and translating what you see onto the paper, rather than relying on secret techniques. As with many aspects of drawing, practice is key – so give it a try and see what works for you!