Drawing and Rendering Building Interiors for Advanced Concept Artists

Created by Sarah Choi (prompt writer for ChatGPT)

Elevate Your Draftsmanship: Mastering Interior and Cutaway Concepts

As an artist, stepping into the world of advanced technical drawings—particularly interiors and cutaways—can feel daunting at first. Many of us have admired the legendary FZD (Feng Zhu Design) student work, with its meticulously detailed cross-sections and layered interiors. The good news is that you don’t have to be enrolled in FZD or any other prestigious concept art school to achieve stunning interior and cutaway drawings. By embracing an observant mindset, maintaining a methodical approach, and taking it one step at a time, you, too, can create dynamic, exciting building designs that inform and inspire.

In this article, we’ll explore the definitions, best practices, and step-by-step procedures to help you design and render interior spaces and cutaways, bringing your world-building visions into clear view.

1. Understanding the Concept: What Is a Cutaway?

A cutaway is a type of illustration where an object—often a building or vehicle—is depicted in such a way that the exterior ‘shell’ is partially removed or transparent, revealing the interior structure. This allows the viewer to see all the important internal elements (e.g., floors, walls, furniture, machinery), while still getting an impression of the outer form and context.

Typical cutaways are used in architectural visualization, product design, and concept art for movies, video games, and more. They serve as a powerful storytelling tool, allowing the designer to showcase how a space is arranged or how mechanical, architectural, and organic systems interact within a structure.

Why Create Cutaways?

  1. Clarity: Shows interior layouts at a glance.
  2. Storytelling: Adds narrative context, revealing behind-the-scenes elements or functional components.
  3. Visual Interest: Showcases complexity in an engaging, layered way, making your work stand out.

2. Fundamentals of Drawing Interiors

Before diving into cutaways, it’s essential to feel comfortable drawing interiors on their own. Whether you’re designing a cozy fantasy tavern, a high-tech sci-fi command center, or an elegant modern home, the process follows a similar set of structural principles.

Key Concepts for Interiors

  1. Perspective: Master basic one-, two-, and three-point perspective to ensure correct proportions and angles for walls, floors, and ceilings.
  2. Scale & Proportion: Use reference (real world or from research) to keep furniture, doorways, windows, and other architectural details in proportion to each other.
  3. Composition & Flow: Even in a technical drawing, an appealing composition matters. Consider how the viewer’s eye travels across the scene and use leading lines (stairs, corridor lines, furniture arrangements) to guide their gaze.

By consistently training your eye to observe real-world interiors and practicing perspective, you’ll build the foundational skills needed to confidently tackle more advanced cutaway illustrations.

3. Step-by-Step: From Empty Space to Engaging Interior

Here is a straightforward, step-by-step guide you can follow to build and refine an interior scene from scratch. This method works whether you’re working digitally or traditionally.

Step A: Establish the Floor Plan

  1. Draw a simple rectangle to represent the top view of your space.
  2. Mark key areas: Where will doors, windows, or partition walls be placed?
  3. Decide on the scale: Sketch in reference ‘human figure’ lines or measurements to get a sense of real-world dimensions.

Step B: Raise the Walls in Perspective

  1. Select your perspective type (usually two-point for interiors).
  2. Draw verticals for walls at the corners of your rectangle floor.
  3. Add the ceiling plane or at least show where it would be, even if partial or “cut away.”

Step C: Position Windows and Doors

  1. Use guidelines to locate doorways and windows in perspective.
  2. Check proportions: Doors typically align with average human height plus a little headroom. Windows should be placed strategically to provide functional or aesthetic lighting.

Step D: Add the Staircase or Elevator (If Applicable)

  1. Map out the opening in the floor (or the footprint where the stairs will exist).
  2. Sketch the basic shape of the staircase, making sure each step is consistent in height and depth.
  3. For an elevator, block out the shaft and the elevator doors, ensuring it aligns with upper floors.

Step E: Secondary Architectural Details

  1. Molding, trim, or railings: These elements add believable realism.
  2. Lighting fixtures: Chandeliers, recessed lights, or industrial lamps can define the mood and style.

Step F: Add Furniture and Props

  1. Block out large furniture (tables, desks, seating areas).
  2. Place smaller props (plants, lamps, vases, tech gadgets).
  3. Remember circulation space: Ensure that your composition allows for believable pathways and movement.

4. Going Beyond: Transitioning to a Cutaway

Once you’re comfortable drawing a complete interior, the cutaway is your next power move. The idea is to strategically remove or slice parts of the exterior or floors to reveal those interior details. Here’s how:

  1. Establish the Whole Structure: Draw the basic exterior shape, floors, and roof.
  2. Identify the Cut Plane: Decide how much of the building’s “shell” you’re going to remove. A diagonal or vertical slice is common, but you can be more creative if it serves the design.
  3. Reveal Interior Layers: Carefully outline the visible edges of floors, walls, beams, or any structural support that is now exposed by your cut.
  4. Show Key Areas of Interest: Focus on what’s inside—furniture, machinery, or architectural elements that enrich your concept.
  5. Balance Clarity and Complexity: You want enough detail to show functionality and style without overwhelming the viewer with clutter.

5. Basic Checklists for Designing Interiors & Cutaways

A. Core Architectural Elements Checklist

  1. Floor
  2. Walls
  3. Ceiling (with appropriate lighting)
  4. Windows (consider style, size, and placement)
  5. Doors & Doorways
  6. Stairs/Elevator (if multi-floor)
  7. Columns/Beams (if structurally relevant)

B. Props & Furnishings Checklist

  1. Furniture Essentials: Tables, chairs, beds, counters, etc.
  2. Storage: Cabinets, shelves, lockers.
  3. Decorative Elements: Rugs, paintings, drapes, plants, sculptures.
  4. Lighting: Lamps, chandeliers, sconce lights, neon signs (for sci-fi).
  5. Electronics/Mechanics: Screens, monitors, machinery, pipes.
  6. Personal Touches: Books, magazines, personal belongings, or thematic items (fantasy potions, futuristic data pads).

By systematically adding each category, you can ensure you haven’t missed any critical elements. Even a “barebones” environment becomes more engaging and visually narrative once you incorporate the right props and details.

6. Adding Complexity: Second Floors, Mezzanines, and More

To make your interior truly stand out, consider adding multi-level structures.

  1. Decide on the Second-Floor Layout: Is it partial (a mezzanine or balcony) or a full floor?
  2. Support Structures: Use columns, beams, or walls to support upper floors logically.
  3. Access: Add a staircase or elevator. Show how it connects the lower and upper levels in perspective.
  4. Potential Cutaway: If you want to reveal both floors, you might choose to cut away part of the second floor’s exterior walls or roof to keep the floor plan visible.

7. A Brief Note on Color

When coloring interiors and cutaways, think about the mood, setting, and narrative of your piece:

  1. Base Tones: Start with neutral or base colors for floors, walls, and ceilings.
  2. Lighting Temperature: Warm light (yellowish) or cool light (bluish) drastically changes the atmosphere.
  3. Focal Points: Use bright or contrasting color to highlight key story or design elements (e.g., a bright red sofa in an otherwise neutral lounge).
  4. Material Indication: Slight color and texture shifts help differentiate materials (wood vs. metal vs. concrete).

8. Final Encouragement: Conquer the Complex

Drawing and rendering advanced interiors and cutaways can initially feel overwhelming. Remember:

  • Start Simple: Don’t be afraid to begin with the basic shape—floor, walls, and a single piece of furniture. Layer complexity incrementally.
  • Study Real Spaces: Constant observation and sketching from life or photos train your eye for proportions and details.
  • Iterate: Rough initial sketches help to iron out design issues before you commit to a polished final.
  • Learn from Mistakes: Every misaligned perspective line or confusing cutaway is a chance to improve.
  • Stay Enthusiastic: Even the most technical drawing can become a source of artistic enjoyment when approached with curiosity and a can-do mindset.

Above all, continue to sharpen your fundamentals, embrace new challenges, and keep your creative energy alive. You’ll find that with each interior or cutaway you design, your confidence grows—paving the way for increasingly intricate and visually captivating work. Keep pushing those boundaries, stay observant, and remember that practice truly does make perfect. Now, gather your pencils, pens, or stylus, and start unveiling the hidden worlds within your buildings!

You’ve got this. Happy designing!