Lesson 3 — Drawing David and Goliath

// the power of contrast

The David and Goliath scene is one of the most powerful in all of art history — because it is built entirely on contrast. Big versus small. Armored versus simple. Fear versus faith. Your illustration needs to show that contrast clearly. If the viewer cannot immediately see the size difference between David and Goliath — the story is lost.

🎨 The Core Technique — Size Contrast

Draw Goliath first and make him fill most of the page height. Then draw David small — maybe one third the height of Goliath. That size difference is the entire story. Everything else is detail.

// goliath vs david — what to show

⚔️ Goliath

Very tall — fills the frame

Heavy rectangle body — armor

Large oval head with helmet

Spear — long vertical line

Wide stance — powerful, planted

Dark colours — grey, brown, black

🪨 David

Small — one third the height

Simple rectangle body — robe

Small circle head — no helmet

Sling — a curved line in hand

Forward stance — moving, brave

Light colours — tan, white, warm

// step by step

01Draw Goliath first. Start with a large rectangle body near the centre-right of your page. Add a big oval head with a rectangle helmet on top.

02Add Goliath's details. Rectangle arms, thick rectangle legs, a long vertical line for his spear. Make him look heavy and planted.

03Draw David small on the left. His head should reach about Goliath's waist. Simple circle head, small rectangle body, thin arms and legs.

04Add David's sling. A curved line from his raised hand — like he is about to release it. This is the moment just before the stone flies.

05Add the background. A simple ground line. Hills in the distance using triangles. Armies on each side as tiny stick figures if you want depth.

06Add colour. Dark and heavy for Goliath. Light and warm for David. The colour contrast reinforces the size contrast — two completely different characters.

// what makes this illustration complete

The size difference is immediately obvious
You can tell which character is which without labels
The moment captured is clear — the confrontation, just before the throw
The mood is set — tension, courage, the impossible standoff

✏️ Final Project — Your Illustrated Scene

Draw the David and Goliath scene using the steps above. When you are done you will have completed three illustrations across this class — a Bible character, Noah's Ark, and David and Goliath. Share your drawings in Discord and show Chase what you built. You finished Children's Stories Art.