How To Draw A Longhouse

How to Draw a Longhouse

A longhouse is an ancient dwelling that was common among many Indigenous peoples, including the Iroquois, Cherokee, and Haida. It is a long, narrow building that can house multiple families. Drawing a longhouse is a great way to learn more about this traditional dwelling, and can be a fun activity if you are looking for a new way to express yourself. In this article, we will go over the basics of how to draw a longhouse.

Step 1: Draw the Basic Outline

The first step when drawing a longhouse is to draw the basic outline. Start by drawing two long, straight lines on your paper. These two lines should be parallel to each other and should be at least twice as long as they are wide. Next, draw a slightly curved line on the top and bottom of the straight lines. This will form the basic outline of the longhouse.

Step 2: Add Details

The next step is to add details to the longhouse. Start by drawing a door in the middle of the longhouse. The door should be rectangular in shape, and should be slightly wider than the walls of the longhouse. Then, draw a smoke hole at the top of the longhouse. This was used to allow smoke from the fire to escape from the longhouse. Finally, draw a few windows along the sides of the longhouse. These windows were used to let light into the longhouse.

Step 3: Color the Longhouse

Once you have finished drawing the basic outline and details of the longhouse, you can begin to color it. Traditionally, longhouses were made from wood, and so it is recommended that you use brown or tan colors to color the longhouse. However, you can also use other colors if you wish. For example, you could use red, orange, or yellow to give the longhouse a more vibrant look.

Step 4: Add Final Touches

To finish off your longhouse, you can add some final touches. For example, you could draw a few trees around the longhouse to give it a more natural look. You could also draw some animals around the longhouse to make it look more lively. Finally, you could draw a few people inside the longhouse to give it a more realistic look.

Conclusion

Drawing a longhouse is a great way to learn more about this traditional dwelling. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily draw a longhouse that looks realistic and vibrant. So, grab your pencil and paper and get to drawing!