How to Draw a Soda Can: A Step-by-Step Art Lesson Using Colored Pencils

Learn how to draw a soda can using colored pencils in this beginner-friendly art lesson. Ideal for students and teachers, discover tips on layering colors and creating realistic forms.

Welcome to this step-by-step art lesson where we’ll guide you through the process of drawing a soda can using colored pencils. This exercise is perfect for beginner artists and a great classroom assignment for art teachers. We’ll use an empty soda can, slightly dented to create a more interesting form, and cover essential techniques for capturing its structure, highlights, and shadows with colored pencils.

Materials Needed:

• Toned drawing paper or pastel paper
• Colored pencils (any set will do, but a high-quality set like Prismacolor is recommended)
• Graphite pencils
• Eraser
• An empty soda can (La Croix cans work great!)

Step 1: Prepare Your Soda Can Before you begin drawing, you'll need an empty soda can. Drinking the soda is part of the fun, especially with brands like La Croix, which offer bright, vibrant colors that are perfect for colored pencil drawing. If you’re teaching this lesson, you can have students bring their own cans.
Tip: Slightly dent the can to give it an interesting shape. This will add a layer of complexity and make the drawing more dynamic.

Step 2: Measure and Mark Your Paper

• Start by measuring the height and width of your soda can with a ruler.
• Using these measurements, lightly mark corresponding points on your toned paper. This will help ensure your drawing is to scale.
• Keep in mind proportions and perspective to give your drawing a realistic feel.

Step 3: Sketch the Outline with Graphite Pencil

• Lightly sketch the soda can’s shape on your paper. Begin with basic geometric forms (a cylinder for the body and a curved ellipse for the top and bottom).
• If the can is dented, focus on the unique lines created by the indentation.

​Pro Tip: Don’t press too hard with your graphite pencil, as heavy marks can be difficult to erase or cover with colored pencils.

Step 4: Build Colors Using Colored Pencils

• Once your outline is complete, it’s time to add color. Start by applying light layers with colored pencils. Building colors gradually will help create a realistic texture.
• Begin with the base colors of the can (for example, light blue, pink, or lime green for a La Croix can).
• Layer darker tones in the shaded areas, especially where the can is dented or folded. Use a blending pencil to smooth transitions between colors.

Tip: Always layer colored pencils lightly at first, as this allows you to gradually build depth and control the vibrancy of the colors.

Step 5: Add Highlights and Shadows

• Pay attention to the light source and add highlights where necessary. Use a white or light-colored pencil to make certain areas pop.
• For shadows, use darker colors from the same family or a complementary color to create contrast. Pay attention to the curves of the can, particularly around the dented areas, where shadows will be more pronounced.

Step 6: Final Touches

• Review your drawing for any final adjustments. You may need to blend certain areas more or add additional shading for depth.
• Make sure your soda can looks realistic and dimensional by checking your highlights and shadows.
• Erase any stray pencil marks, and your drawing is complete!

Drawing a soda can using colored pencils is a fun and challenging exercise, perfect for beginners. This assignment encourages students to practice measuring, shading, and layering—skills essential for drawing realistic objects. Try experimenting with different types of cans, from energy drinks to classic sodas, and see how you can bring them to life on paper!

Want more art tutorials? Check out our other beginner drawing lessons HERE. 

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