How To Draw A Scroll Banner

How to Draw Banners

drawing Jun 27, 2021

6 Step-by-Step Banners

I love drawing banners. They make excellent finishing touches when addressing envelopes, creating statements on hand lettering pieces, and drawing attention in illustrations. They are a very quick way to emphasize parts of your design. From simples basic designs to more intricate, flowing flags, there's a use for each. Some common ways you can find banners being incorporated are in logos, chalkboards, slogans, labels, greeting cards, and so many more. Why not try making some lettered envelope inserts but WITH BANNERS?

After a high amount of inquiries and requests, I've decided to bring to you some easy step-by-step instructables on how to make a variety of different banners. To begin, I'd like to assign some loose descriptions for reference.

If you're a traditional artist, grab yourself a pack of TPL moonline pens to practice your banners with. But don't worry if you're using Procreate, I gotcha with this neat little brush pack.

Arch (curved line)

Inverted Arch

Parallel Lines

(lines next to each other that run the same direction)

Perpendicular Lines

(lines that will end up crossing if they continue their direction)

Concave vs. Convex

Ribbon

Scroll

Enough of that, let's get to the instructables!

The first banner I'll introduce to you is very basic. It's a boxy, no-nonsense flat design that only requires straight lines.

Step 1: Draw a rectangle

The height and width is up to you and doesn't have to match this design exactly.

Step 2: Place two rectangles "behind" the initial rectangle you drew

To do this, you'll want to slightly drop the top line of your new addition just underneath the first shape, and draw that line out from the middle. Keep the same ratio of height in these rectangles as the first, which will pull the bottom line just underneath the original shape. Draw that line inward and underneath, then connect it upward with a vertical line.

Step 3:Create the fold

First, take the inner corner of the bottom rectangles you just finished drawing and connect them with the outer corners of the main rectangle. This creates the "fold" of the banner. Second, repeat step 2 off of the new rectangles, but do not draw the vertical line on the outer parts to connect the top and bottom.

Step 4:Create a flag-like effect

As you did before, create the "folds" by connecting a line from the inner corner of the new shapes to the outer corner of the above rectangles. Then draw an inverted "V" on the end pieces, creating a flag-like effect.

The next banner is another basic design, similar to the first that we covered. This banner features an arch with the ends flowing in small folds behind itself.

Step 1: Draw two arches close together

One on top of the other. Connect the top and bottom arches with vertical lines.

Step 2: Draw curvy lines that move inward first, then outward

Just slightly further than the edges of the banner base, then back inward but not as far in as the first curve. Then draw back outward just past the curve above.

Step 3: Pull the lines outward from the main shape

Make sure they are the same height ratio as the main shape , then pull them down to connect them with the first outer curve.

Step 4: Create folds

With the same height ratio as the main shape, pull lines outward from the first fold, but only as far as the the bottom line in the design. Then, create the "folds" by drawing lines from the inner curves straight up to connect to the lines above them.

Step 5: Create a flag-like effect

Draw an inverted "V" on the end pieces, creating a flag-like effect.

If you're following along digitally, you can also incorporate some outlined lettering into your banners to mix it up even more.

This banner is another basic design, featuring curved slants rather than boxy rectangle or the arched design.

Step 1: Draw two curved slants, one on top of the other

Connect the two slants with concave perpendicular lines.

Step 2: Create a swirl

Draw a line slightly outward from the top left corner, pulling it up and around to curve back inward, then back up into a swirl. Repeat this step on the bottom right corner, pulling it slightly outward, then down and back inward, then down and into a swirl.

Step 3: Create the rolls of the scroll

This is done by connecting each outer edge of the curves. The top swirl should have vertical lines coming downward, while the bottom swirl should have vertical lines coming upward.

Along with the curved slants, this banner introduces a billowy ribbon-like effect, showing you how to add as many "folds" as you choose to incorporate.

Step 1: Draw two curved slants

One on top of the other. Connect the slants with vertical perpendicular lines.

Step 2: Where the dip occurs, pull the outer corner inward

Then drag the line down to meet the main shape. Repeat this at the bottom left corner, pulling inward a bit lower, then meeting it up to the main shape.

Step 3: Create a curve

Draw a line from the top inner corner, mimicking the slant outward, and create a slight curve inward and the edge. Just above the bottom right, draw another line outward, mimicking the slant (do not curve this line inward like you did with the top line). Connect these two lines with a vertical line. Repeat this process on the left side, but using the bottom left corner as your focus.

Step 4: Connect the small curved areas with a vertical line into the main shape.

Step Five: Repeat step 3, but do not create the small curves at the end.

Step 6: Draw an inverted "V" on the end pieces, creating a flag-like effect.

This banner combines a couple of banner involves stacking two curved slants to create a featured ribbon.

Step 1: Create two curvy slanted rectangles

Do this by placing one just to the right of the first.

Step 2: Draw a line from the bottom left corner of the top rectangle into the top of the bottom rectangle

Pull another line from the bottom of the top rectangle, keeping the same height ratio of both shapes, into the top right corner of the bottom rectangle. Mimic this without creating a full length on both the top and bottom of the design.

Step 3: Draw an inverted "V" on both of the ends, creating a flag-like effect.

Lastly, I'd like to introduce a banner with a plethora of techniques, creating a more original design.

Step 1: Create an inverted arch

Almost in the shape of a skinny "C" on its back. Create a regular inverted arch underneath.

Step 2: Pay close attention - each side is different!

On the left , pull the top line slightly inward and then back outward, then pull it downward into a swirl . On the right , draw the top line slight inward and back outward while coming down into a dip, then back upward into a swirl.

Step 3: Create folds

Keep the height ratio of the main shape and draw vertical lines downward to create both the edges and the "folds" of the banner . These vertical lines should come from each outer curve of the left swirl, the edge of the right side, and behind the main shape from the inner curves that connect to the top of the inverted arch.

Step 4: Continue with the lines

Draw the bottom of the sides of the banner. Create a curved line, bowing toward the bottom, underneath the left swirl. Draw a line to connect the left scroll to the base shape, which connects the "back" fold. Draw a line outward from the middle of the main shape on the right, mirroring the top line. Draw two lines downward from the inner swirls.

Have fun and build off of these banner designs, and I encourage you to incorporate them into your illustrations, hand lettering, posters, labels, etc. For more banner step-by-steps, follow my Instagram (@thepigeonletters).

I can't wait to see all of your new projects on IG!

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