Learn How to Draw Broad Swords Digitally!

When I was little, I remember that I like to draw broad swords during class because a long sword was one of those items that define boyhood.

I am pretty sure you would love to draw more advanced and cooler looking swords than the stick in most elementary drawings.

Here is your chance to learn the tips and tricks to draw broad swords that not only looks good, but also to learn digital art tricks that will carry you through other weapon drawings.

We are going to draw two fantasy swords and one two-handed sword. Pay attention to the length of the blades and the hilt.

So without further ado, start up a new layer and follow along on this lesson on creating your own sword drawing!

1. Draw broad swords with gesture lines

With your digital brush, start creating gesture lines of how you want your sword to look like. You can even start with a simple elongated cross.

As you sketch it out, there is a trick you can use to make perfect horizontal and vertical lines.

Depending on your drawing software, if you hold on to either shift, control, or the alt keys, you can create perfectly straight lines.

Right now, we are only dealing with half of the sword. This is to get you to look at the whole shape.

draw broad swords

You can do both sides if you want to, but it will make you get caught up in the moment when all you really need is a quick sketch at this point.

Therefore, do not worry about making it perfectly symmetrical because there are a lot of digital tools you can use to help you with that.

2. Draw broad swords that are symmetrical

First, duplicate your sword layer. Next, go to your drawing software options and then flip the layer. Align the layer so it creates the width of your sword.

Once that is done, you can merge the two layers together to form the symmetrical sword object.

Clean up any additional lines you may have and click on the preserve transparency option in your layers dialog box.

Now, we are going to paint some designs inside your sword object. Use a small digital art brush to paint whatever details you feel like doing.

draw broad swords

Again, do not worry about it being perfectly symmetrical. You will repeat the same process to get the design onto the other side.

Swirls, curves, angles, and crosshatch the design as much as you like. Don't forget about how you want to handle the hilt of the sword.

3. Broad swords with symmetrical details

Once you are satisfied with half of the details, the next step is to duplicate the layer once more. Again, flip and align the layer to the sword as much as possible to create the symmetry.

You may notice that it covers the layer underneath. There is a trick here. In your layers dialog, change the layer type from normal to ‘lighten'.

In doing so, you will reveal the layer underneath!

Now, merge the two layers together so you get your symmetrical sword with all the design patterns on it perfectly reflected on the other side.

draw broad swords

All that is left is to just clean up any excess lines that look out of place.

Now, if at this point, the designs are not what you had in mind, just redraw the design to something that you can accept and do the flip trick again.

Keep doing it until you are satisfied with the results.

4. Draw broad swords convincingly

With all the designs in place, it's just up to you to finish off making it look real by adding some light and shadows.

Make sure to preserve the transparency of your layer so you can gently glaze over the sword with additional details.

You can also do variations on what you have as well.

Assuming that you don't like the symmetrical nature of the design, you are more than welcomed to alter or manipulate the blade, hilt, or any part of the sword to your liking.

draw broad swords

Moreover, you can change the scale of the sword to make it thinner or fatter with the scaling options in your drawing software.

Just let your creativity run wild and actively think about what you want to create!

I hope you enjoy this lesson on how to draw broad swords. It really is a cool subject to explore. I look forward to your sword drawing on this site's gallery!