Figure Eight Boats

Drawing boats is hard for many people, so here's an old trick I learned years ago to simplify the mystery.

Draw a skinny figure eight lying on its side, or an infinity sign. Make one of the loops larger than the other. Find the apex of the larger loop and draw an oblique line downward. This will be the bow.

Then draw a more or less straight line from the bow to about the 7/8 mark. At that point, swing the line upward to the back of the smaller loop. Go straight across to the other side of the loop. Then follow the figure eight line to the the first line.

On the other side of the bow follow the figure eight until it begins to curve back. Draw a second line downward.

To add a cabin, just draw a cube. In the case of a shrimp boat it will probably have a rounded hood that you can add.

I hope the drawings will illustrate the process.

Thanks to the members of the Carrabelle Art Association for inviting me over to do a demo for them today. What a friendly group you are! I hope to come back again real soon!