How to Draw a Television
Draw a television using basic shapes; add screen, knobs, and antenna with pencil and ruler. Practice proportions, perspective, and shading.
About this tutorial
Draw a television using basic shapes; add screen, knobs, and antenna with pencil and ruler. Practice proportions, perspective, and shading.
What you need
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Gather your materials and place them on a flat table so everything is easy to reach.
- 2
Step 2
Lightly draw a large rectangle with your ruler to make the TV body.
- 3
Step 3
Lightly draw a smaller centered rectangle inside the first to make the screen, leaving an even border all around.
- 4
Step 4
Draw a thin side panel on the right or left of the TV body to show depth by extending short slanted lines from the TV edges and connecting them.
- 5
Step 5
Draw two round knobs on the bezel beside the screen by sketching two circles about the same size.
- 6
Step 6
Draw an antenna on top by sketching two straight lines that meet in a V shape and add a small circle at the tip if you like.
- 7
Step 7
Add a thin curved or rectangular highlight inside the screen to show reflection on the glass.
- 8
Step 8
Decide where the light comes from and shade the side panel and the edges of the screen with light pencil strokes to show depth.
- 9
Step 9
Erase extra construction lines and darken the TV outlines then add colour or texture if you want and sign your name.
- 10
Step 10
Share your finished television drawing on DIY.org.
Get inspired
Fun facts
How do you draw a television using basic shapes?
Start by lightly sketching a large rectangle for the TV body with a ruler. Add a slightly smaller inner rectangle for the screen, leaving an even border. For a 3D look, draw a second, slightly offset rectangle behind and connect corners. Sketch knobs as small circles or ovals along the side or bottom, and draw a simple antenna with two thin angled lines and tips. Refine with darker pencil strokes, erase guidelines, then add shading to show depth and reflections.
What materials do I need to draw a TV with pencil and ruler?
You’ll need plain drawing paper, a ruler, and a range of pencils (HB for sketching, 2B or 4B for darker lines and shading). Also have a good eraser, sharpener, and a blending stump or tissue for smooth shading. Optional extras: a compass for perfect circles, colored pencils or markers for finishing, and masking tape to secure paper. These simple tools are enough for practicing shapes, perspective, and shading.
What ages is this drawing activity suitable for?
This activity suits multiple ages: preschoolers (4–6) can trace and assemble simple rectangles and circles with help. Elementary kids (7–10) can sketch the TV, add knobs and basic shading, learning proportions. Older children and teens (11+) can practice perspective, detailed shading, and reflections. Adjust complexity and supervision to the child’s motor skills and attention span; provide templates or tracing for younger learners.
What are the benefits of practicing TV drawing with proportions, perspective, and shading?
Drawing a television teaches spatial reasoning, proportion, and basic perspective—skills useful in art and STEM. Shading practice strengthens understanding of light, form, and contrast while improving fine motor control and hand–eye coordination. The exercise builds patience, observation, and problem-solving as children compare shapes and tweak proportions. It’s an accessible way to boost creativity and confidence by turning simple shapes into a believable object.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I don't have a ruler or pencil — what can I use instead?
For step 2, use a straight-edged book, a credit card, or a piece of cardboard as a ruler and a ballpoint pen, colored pencil, or charcoal stick to lightly sketch if you don't have a regular pencil.
My inner screen looks crooked or the side panel doesn't show depth — how do I fix it?
Go back to the light construction lines from steps 2–4, mark equal border points with your ruler or book, erase the misplaced lines, redraw the centered inner rectangle, then re-extend the short slanted lines and shade the side panel lightly to reinforce the depth.
How can I adapt this TV drawing for different ages or skill levels?
For preschoolers skip the ruler and have them trace a toy TV and use chunky crayons for shapes and stickers for knobs, while older kids should follow step 2 with a ruler, add the thin side panel in step 4, refine the reflection in step 6, and practice subtle shading in step 8.
What are simple ways to enhance or personalize the finished television drawing?
After step 9, customize it by drawing a show or pixel art on the screen, adding wood grain or metallic texture to the bezel and side panel, embellishing the knobs, signing your name, and then share the result on DIY.org.