An impossible cube (sometimes called an irrational cube) is an example of a cube that could never exist in reality. One is present in the lithography of M. C. Escher Belvedere but, luckily, you don't need to be an established artist to draw one. This article will teach you how to make such a cube.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: From a Parallelogram to an Impossible Cube
Step 1. Draw a thin vertical parallelogram with the lower left corner open; from there, draw two lines that go horizontally, indicated in red in the image
Step 2. Add two connecting lines on the right side of the parallelogram
These should form an "L".
Step 3. Add two more lines that continue from one corner of the parallelogram, but pass under its right edge
The two lines then separate vertically, one goes up and the other goes down to meet the end of the "L".
Step 4. Draw a large "L" next to where the two previously drawn lines separate
Step 5. Connect the lower end of the large "L" with the upper right corner of the parallelogram, drawing a line that goes up and then to the left (forming a right angle) and passes under all the lines that meets
Step 6. Draw a line that starts following the top of the parallelogram and then follows the horizontal part of the line drawn in the previous step, also passing under all the lines it encounters
Step 7. Complete a parallelogram at the top of the cube, this time with the top corner open and connected to the double lines drawn earlier
Step 8. Add a border around the whole
Here is a cube like Escher's!
Method 2 of 2: Erase Squares to Make an Impossible Cube
Step 1. Draw a square
Step 2. Create a slightly larger square around the first one
Step 3. Draw another square, the lower left corner of which is in the center of the first one
Step 4. Create another one around it as well
Step 5. Erase each corner of both of these squares
Connect each corner to the corresponding corner of the other square.
Step 6. In the parts where the left side of the second square and the top of the first overlap, erase a little to make the line horizontal, erase the vertical parts
Step 7. In the parts where the right side of the first square and the bottom of the third overlap, delete the horizontal parts and leave the vertical ones
Advice
- If you have any problems, look at the images to get an idea of how it is done.
- Remember: practice makes perfect.
- You can use a ruler if you need it.
- You can draw an impossible cube by drawing a whole cube and reconnecting its legs if you have an eye for detail.
