If you would like your picture to look similar to this, then there are certain art mediums that would serve you well.
How to Draw A Bridge – A Step by Step Guide
On the surface, a bridge serves a very basic function; it is a means of getting from one side of something to another.
These useful structures can be found anywhere from over garden streams to covering large bodies of the ocean.
They can also make for a beautiful sight outdoors, and their beauty can make it very enjoyable to learn how to draw a bridge.
We really hope that you enjoy this step-by-step guide on how to draw a bridge in 6 easy steps!
How to Draw A Bridge – Let’s Get Started!
In this first step of our guide on how to draw a bridge, we will start by drawing the outlines of the bridge which you can add detail on later.
For this step, you could also use a pencil for now as you work on the detailed outlines of the bridge.
This outline may look detailed and complicated, but, if you take it slowly and take it step by step it will prove much easier.
When drawing this bridge, it would be best to work on it as you would if making a real bridge: from one side to the other.
You can draw the pathway and details on the left-hand side and slowly work your way to the right-hand side. It will require some patience but it will be worth it in the end!
Step 2 – Start adding some detail to the bridge
You’ve completed the outline of your bridge drawing, and now you can start to add some details to it in this step.
The main details that we will be adding in this step will be some brig detailing to the top and underside of the bridge.
For the bricks on top, you can use some straight lines along the top of the bridge, whereas for the bottom you can draw some rounded stone shapes.
Planning out Your Bridge
- Lay out a yardstick on your work space.
- Note the approximate length of your bridge.
- Lay your yardstick crosswise to note the width of your bridge.
- Estimate the amount of popsicle sticks based on these dimensions, and the size of popsicle stick you decide on using.
- Popsicle sticks
- Hot glue gun (and glue)
- Large piece of cardboard or construction paper
- Paper (for designing)
- Pencil
- Scissors or shears (for cutting popsicle sticks)
- Yardstick or ruler
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Ready your work space for action. Place a piece of cardboard or construction paper on a table or any other type of smooth, flat, level surface. Make sure that the size of your work space is large enough to accommodate the bridge you will be constructing by measuring out its rough dimensions against the area available on your work space.
- For the purposes of providing a guided example, the following model bridge will be built following the classic Warren truss bridge structure. [2] X Research source
- Crosswise floor beams and struts.
- A deck, that forms the walkway or road of the bridge.
- Longways laying stringer beams beneath the deck.
- An external frame, composed of squares divided into triangles for better integrity.
- Cross bracing forming an X along the top sections of the bridge.
- Sway bracing beneath the top crosswise struts. [4] X Research source
Draw your blueprint. Now that you have a general idea of the structure you’re trying to build, as well as the tried and true essential parts of a truss bridge, you’re ready to use your imagination. Take some time to sketch out your design. Don’t worry too much about being true to life; your blueprint is a plan, not a perfect representation.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:
Constructing the Beams of the Truss
- Lay out four rows of popsicle sticks with each row being three sticks wide. Each row should be equal in length.
- Cut four popsicle sticks in half. Place each of the halved popsicle sticks at both ends of each of the truss beams, in the middle position of the three-wide popsicle sticks.
- The component three-wide popsicle sticks of each truss will be glued together to form a truss three sticks thick.
- Hot glue dries very quickly! For best results, press and/or clamp your popsicle sticks together as soon as the glue has been applied.
- Press the popsicle sticks together and apply firm pressure so your trusses are securely glued.
- If, when you touch your glued truss, the bond feels weak, tacky, or loose, allow the glue to dry for another 15 minutes.
- Another way to think of this: each line of the W pattern that will connect two trusses together represents two popsicle sticks laid side by side.
- The more bracing you have, the stronger your bridge will be. However, too many popsicle sticks might make it difficult to see anything move across the deck of your bridge.
- Position your popsicle sticks along the truss beams before gluing to verify the final structure of the wall truss.
- Use hot glue, or another suitable glue, to adhere the popsicle stick cross braces to the truss beams.
- Wait sufficient time until the glue you are using sets.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:
Constructing the Deck
- The distance between your crosswise popsicle stick deck will determine the width of your bridge deck.
- Be sure that all of your popsicle sticks are even, otherwise the deck leading over your bridge will look irregular.
- Once your deck supports are in position, use your hot glue gun or some other suitable glue to fasten your supports in place.
- If you are using wood glue or general purpose glue, allow some time for the glue to dry before handling the deck.
Measure for cradle supports for your deck and truss joiners. Take your yardstick or ruler and measure the length of your deck. You’ll need to created union braces for your deck to rest upon. These will also connect the walls of your trusses crosswise together. Take the measure of your deck and the thickness of either truss.
- Multiply the width of your truss measurement by two to account for the width of both trusses and then add the width of the deck.
- Cut three or four popsicle sticks to this length.
- If your popsicle sticks are too short, make a longer one. Cut two sticks and, with glue, join each by attaching another stick to the bottom for support.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:
