Learn how to draw a great looking Empire State Building with easy, step-by-step drawing instructions, and video tutorial.
By following the simple steps, you too can easily draw a perfect Empire State Building.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing the Empire State Building
How to Draw a Great Looking Empire State Building for Kids and Beginners - Step 1
1. Begin the Empire State Building outline by drawing a straight, horizontal horizon line at the bottom of your page. Above it, draw a horizontal rectangle. On top of this, draw four smaller vertical rectangles. This forms the base of the iconic building.
Easy Empire State Building Drawing - Step 2
2. Continue the cartoon building by using straight lines to enclose a large "U" shape on top of the rectangles. Then, draw small rectangles on the tips of the "U."
Easy Empire State Building Drawing - Step 3
3. Enclose three successively smaller horizontal rectangle shapes at the top of the building. Then, draw a vertical rectangle on top.
Easy Empire State Building Drawing - Step 4
4. Enclose four small rectangles at the building's base and side. Then, draw zigzag lines alongside the uppermost rectangle. On top of it, enclose a small hexagon, and draw a horizontal line across it. Then, draw a small trapezoid on top of it, followed by a tall, narrow triangle. This is the spire.
Did you know? The spire was originally intended to be a mooring point for airships (a type of blimp). Unfortunately, large-scale use of these aircraft never took off.
Easy Empire State Building Drawing - Step 5
5. Texture the front of the building. Draw many narrow vertical rectangles on the base and bottom layers.
Easy Empire State Building Drawing - Step 6
6. Continue to draw long, narrow vertical rectangles across the front of the building.
Easy Empire State Building Drawing - Step 7
7. Next, give the building some context by drawing other buildings around it. Enclose stacked and overlapping rectangles and trapezoids. Use narrow rectangles to draw windows on one of the buildings.
Add More Details to Your Empire State Building Picture - Step 8
8. Draw vertical or horizontal rectangles across the fronts of the remaining buildings. Then, use a series of short, straight lines to enclose irregular geometric shapes in the background. These suggest the presence of even more buildings in the sprawling city.
Complete the Outline of Your Empire State Building Drawing - Step 9
9. Complete your Empire State Building outline by drawing more geometric building shapes. Then, draw fluffy clouds in the sky.
Color Your Empire State Building Drawing
Color your cartoon of the Empire State Building. Its facade is made from limestone and granite, giving it a light tan color.
For more great building drawing tutorials, see the collection of Easy Building Drawings for Kids.
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Learn More About The Empire State Building Drawing
The Empire State Building is "one of the most distinctive and famous buildings in the United States and is one of the best examples of Modernist Art Deco design."
This Empire State Building drawing guide can help you practice your architecture skills.
This landmark first rose above the streets of Manhattan in 1931. Until 1971, it was considered the tallest building in the world.
Today, the Empire State Building is considered one of the top tourist attractions in the United States. People visit it to look out over the city.
Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.
If you like this cartoon Empire State Building outline, why not draw the entire New York City skyline?
You can also check out other famous landmarks in the Big Apple, like the Statue of Liberty.
For more easy and fun guides, see the How to Draw the Colosseum or Sydney Opera House Drawing tutorials.
Empire State Building Drawing Tutorial - Easy & Fun Printable Pages
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