How to draw a Good Enough bridge…five ways!

Whether they are closing gaps, connecting people, or troubleshooting the landscape, bridges are a common metaphor that pops up in business AND in graphic facilitation.

Patricia Kambitsch (‏@playthink), this one’s for you! (Thanks for the request! ;^)

Here’s how to draw a Good Enough bridge of your very own!

Three Tips:

A bridge is basically a connecting piece between two separate areas. So when drawing a bridge, I like to be sure and draw the two things it’s connecting. Otherwise, it feels a little bit off, or out of context: it’s a bridge… to where? From where? Even the suggestion of land on either side (like in step three) works for my mind’s eye.

Give your bridge a top and a bottom… otherwise it may simply look like a bump or curve in the road.

Bridges have personality based on where they are and what they are for. Have fun drawing your bridge, and allow its personality to shine through!

Here are some examples of what I mean for that last tip:

“Central Park” bridge

This sort of bridge always makes me think of spending time in a fabulous park, perhaps walking to the top of the bridge to release a pet goldfish from it’s bowl and into freedom.

“Southern California Mountains” bridge

Driving through stretches of tan, mountainous terrain in So Cal, these are the bridges I always remember. Driving on the freeway, I always seem to pass beneath these bridges, never over them. They feel wistful and a bit lonely to me…

“Industrial Cable” bridge

The bridge I expect to see in hard-working cities. They always make me think of steel and industry.

But if I’m honest with myself, there’s really only one bridge for me in this world… and it’s the bridge I draw most often on projects:

“Golden Gate” bridge

Hey, I grew up in San Francisco… what do you expect!? :^)

… and that’s it! What does YOUR favorite bridge look like? Draw yours up, Tweet it out to @jeannelking #goodenough, and let’s cross that bridge when we come to it! ;^)

Want to have fun drawing AND inspire others to pick up the pen at the same time? Got something you wish you could draw, but you’re not sure how to approach it? Tweet your drawing or idea to @jeannelking and tag it with #goodenough: it could be featured in an upcoming “how to draw good enough” blog post!

Looking forward to seeing what you draw forth!
(… and please share your comments below!)

2 Comments

johanna says:

October 11, 2015 at 10:50 pm

I love how easy your golden gate bridge is! I have a crafting project that requires drawings evoking California and France, and I will use your advices for the bridge and the Eiffel tower 🙂
thanks!

1. Jeannel says:
  
  October 12, 2015 at 1:39 pm
  
  Thanks, Johanna! I’m so glad they are helpful! :^)
  (I’d love to see your drawings, too!)
  J