Draw the Kīlauea Lighthouse
Using a Simple, 3-Step Process
by Artist Patrick Ching
History of the Lighthouse
Did you know the Kīlauea Lighthouse is 113 years old? Completed in 1913, it was an important beacon to vessels traveling to and from the east via the Hawaiian islands. It was decommissioned in 1976 when a smaller, automated light was erected near its base. The grounds surrounding the light are now a part of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.
The 3-Step Process
Step 1: Forming
Pressing softly with your pencil, form up the lighthouse. Make the base a rectangle that is slightly larger at the bottom than at the top. Then, put a square where the light casing is and a triangle for the cap.
Step 2: Add Details
Add a ball on top of the triangle with a point on it; an oval inside the square for the light; a rectangle door with a triangle top; then windows andrailings. Add anything you want around the lighthouse like the ocean, clouds, birds, and whale. Get creative!
Step 3: Outlining, Shading & Coloring
When you are happy with your work, press harder or use a pen to outline your drawing. Determine what direction the sun is shining on the lighthouse; shade it on the other side. Advanced artists can use reflective light on the shaded side.
