Free original lessons
Draw a Flanged Mace: Head Geometry and Handle Attachment
Learn to draw a flanged mace with radial symmetry, tapered handle, and clear attachment. Includes practice tasks, rubric, and planned printable plate.
Free lesson
Four exercises
Worked answers
Object Drawing Lessons
This lesson teaches a reliable method for drawing a flanged mace: a metal head with evenly spaced flanges around a central core, joined to a tapered handle. You will use a simple radial symmetry guide, define flange positions by angle, and show the handle attachment with a collar or socket. The convention for line art is explicit: use a single outline weight for outer contours, a lighter weight for internal edges, and keep all measurements in millimetres on paper. Letter styles and handwriting vary, so labels may be printed or handwritten as long as they are legible. All numerical values below are hypothetical examples for practice; measure your own paper and tools. The planned printable plate is not yet built, so work from the text and your own sketch paper.
Practice materials: Printable downloads are not available for this lesson yet. Use the instructions and four exercises below.
Set Up the Radial Symmetry Guide
Begin by choosing a centre point for the mace head. Draw a light vertical axis and a light horizontal axis through it. These are construction lines, not final outlines. Decide how many flanges the head will have; four, six, or eight are common for practice. For this lesson, use six flanges as the working example. Divide 360 degrees by the number of flanges to get the angular spacing: 360 divided by 6 equals 60 degrees. Mark tick marks around the centre at 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 degrees using a protractor or by stepping around with a compass. Keep the marks on the outer construction circle, which represents the maximum reach of the flanges.
The central core is a circle or short cylinder at the centre. Draw it with a radius that is about one third of the outer construction circle. For a hypothetical example, if the outer circle radius is 30 mm, the core radius is 10 mm. The flanges radiate outward from the core to the outer circle. Because the head is drawn in two dimensions, the flanges on the far side are hidden or shown as partial edges; use lighter lines for hidden edges if you choose to show them. The radial guide ensures even spacing and prevents the head from looking lopsided.
- Mark a centre point and draw light vertical and horizontal axes.
- Draw an outer construction circle with a radius of 30 mm (hypothetical example).
- Draw a core circle with a radius of 10 mm at the same centre.
- Divide 360 by 6 to get 60 degrees, then mark six tick marks around the outer circle.
- Label each tick with its angle in degrees using legible handwriting or printed labels.
Construct the Flanges
Each flange is a tapered metal projection. Start at the core circle and draw two lines outward to the outer circle at the tick mark. The flange should be wider at the core and narrower at the tip, or the reverse, depending on the style you choose. For a simple practice style, make the flange width at the core 8 mm and at the tip 4 mm, measured perpendicular to the radial line. These are hypothetical values; adjust them to fit your drawing. Draw the tip as a short flat or slightly rounded edge, not a sharp point, to suggest a metal flange rather than a spike.
Show the flange thickness by adding a parallel edge offset by 2 mm on one side of each flange. This offset line represents the visible side face of the flange. Keep the offset consistent for all flanges so the head looks like one object. Where flanges meet the core, draw a small fillet or straight joint line to show attachment. Do not draw chains, spikes on chains, or sword-like crossguards; this lesson is only about a flanged mace head joined directly to a handle.
- For each tick mark, draw two radial lines from the core circle to the outer circle.
- Set the flange width at the core to 8 mm and at the tip to 4 mm (hypothetical example).
- Draw a flat or slightly rounded tip across the outer end of each flange.
- Add a 2 mm offset line along one side of each flange to show thickness.
- Draw joint lines where each flange meets the core circle.
Draw the Handle and Attachment
The handle is a tapered shaft that joins the head at the core. Draw a centre line downward from the centre point, perpendicular to the horizontal axis. The handle length is a design choice; for practice, use 120 mm from the bottom of the head to the end of the handle. The handle diameter at the top is 12 mm and at the bottom is 8 mm, giving a gentle taper. These are hypothetical values; measure your paper to ensure the drawing fits. Draw the handle as two slightly converging lines on either side of the centre line, with a rounded or flat end.
Show the attachment with a collar or socket. A collar is a short cylinder that wraps the top of the handle and meets the bottom of the head. Draw the collar as a rectangle 14 mm wide and 10 mm tall, centred on the handle centre line, with its top edge touching the core circle. Add a socket line inside the collar to suggest the handle enters the head. Use the same outline weight for the collar as for the head and handle. Label the collar, handle, core, and one flange to make the drawing self-explanatory.
- Draw a vertical centre line downward from the head centre.
- Mark the handle length as 120 mm and the top and bottom diameters as 12 mm and 8 mm (hypothetical example).
- Draw two converging lines for the handle sides and a rounded end.
- Draw a collar rectangle 14 mm wide and 10 mm tall at the top of the handle.
- Add a socket line inside the collar and label the main parts.
Refine Line Weights and Labels
Use a consistent convention: outer contours and visible edges get a single outline weight, internal edges and construction lines get a lighter weight. Erase construction lines only after the final outlines are stable. If you keep construction lines, make them clearly lighter so they do not compete with the object. Labels should be legible; handwriting style may vary, and printed labels are acceptable. Place labels outside the object with short leader lines that touch the part they name. Do not use arrows that cross other labels.
Check radial symmetry by measuring the angle between adjacent flange centre lines. With six flanges, each angle should be 60 degrees within your drawing tolerance. Check the handle taper by measuring the top and bottom widths; the difference should match your chosen values. Check the attachment by confirming the collar top touches the core circle and the handle centre line passes through the head centre. These checks are simple arithmetic and measurement tasks, not printer tolerances.
- Trace final outlines with a consistent outline weight.
- Lighten or erase construction lines that are not needed.
- Add labels with leader lines for core, flange, collar, and handle.
- Measure adjacent flange angles and confirm they are 60 degrees within your tolerance.
- Measure handle top and bottom widths and confirm the taper matches your chosen values.
Worked example
Draw a six-flange mace head with a 30 mm outer radius, a 10 mm core radius, flange widths of 8 mm at the core and 4 mm at the tip, and a handle 120 mm long with top diameter 12 mm and bottom diameter 8 mm. Add a collar 14 mm wide and 10 mm tall. Label core, one flange, collar, and handle.
Worked answer
The drawing shows a centre point with six radial tick marks at 60-degree spacing on a 30 mm outer circle. A 10 mm core circle sits at the centre. Each flange tapers from 8 mm at the core to 4 mm at the tip, with a 2 mm offset line on one side. The handle centre line extends 120 mm downward, with sides converging from 12 mm at the top to 8 mm at the bottom. A 14 mm by 10 mm collar sits at the top of the handle and touches the core circle. Labels are placed outside the object with leader lines.
Four practice exercises
Exercise 1
Draw a four-flange mace head with an outer radius of 25 mm and a core radius of 8 mm. Calculate the angular spacing between flange centre lines and state it. Use flange widths of 7 mm at the core and 3 mm at the tip. Add a handle 100 mm long with top diameter 10 mm and bottom diameter 7 mm, and a collar 12 mm wide and 8 mm tall.
Show answer and check
Angular spacing is 360 divided by 4, which equals 90 degrees. The drawing shows four flanges at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees on a 25 mm outer circle, a core circle of 8 mm radius, flange widths tapering from 7 mm to 3 mm, a 100 mm handle tapering from 10 mm to 7 mm, and a 12 mm by 8 mm collar at the top.
Why: Four flanges divide the circle into four equal parts, so each adjacent pair is 90 degrees apart. The stated radii and widths define the head size and taper. The handle length and diameters define the shaft, and the collar dimensions define the attachment.
Check: Measure the angle between adjacent flange centre lines and confirm it is 90 degrees within your drawing tolerance. Measure the outer and core radii and confirm they match 25 mm and 8 mm. Measure the handle top and bottom widths and confirm 10 mm and 7 mm.
Exercise 2
A six-flange mace head has an outer radius of 35 mm. Calculate the straight-line distance from the centre to a flange tip along a radial line. Then draw the head with a core radius of 12 mm and flange widths of 9 mm at the core and 5 mm at the tip. Add a handle 140 mm long with top diameter 14 mm and bottom diameter 9 mm, and a collar 16 mm wide and 12 mm tall.
Show answer and check
The straight-line distance from the centre to a flange tip along a radial line is the outer radius, 35 mm. The drawing shows six flanges at 60-degree spacing, a 12 mm core radius, flange widths tapering from 9 mm to 5 mm, a 140 mm handle tapering from 14 mm to 9 mm, and a 16 mm by 12 mm collar.
Why: The flange tip lies on the outer construction circle, so the radial distance is the outer radius. The angular spacing for six flanges is 360 divided by 6, which equals 60 degrees. The remaining dimensions define the core, flange taper, handle, and collar.
Check: Measure from the centre to a flange tip and confirm it is 35 mm. Measure adjacent flange angles and confirm 60 degrees. Measure the handle top and bottom widths and confirm 14 mm and 9 mm.
Exercise 3
Draw an eight-flange mace head with an outer radius of 40 mm and a core radius of 15 mm. Calculate the angular spacing and state it. Use flange widths of 10 mm at the core and 6 mm at the tip. Add a handle 160 mm long with top diameter 16 mm and bottom diameter 10 mm, and a collar 18 mm wide and 14 mm tall. Label the core, two flanges, collar, and handle.
Show answer and check
Angular spacing is 360 divided by 8, which equals 45 degrees. The drawing shows eight flanges at 45-degree spacing on a 40 mm outer circle, a 15 mm core radius, flange widths tapering from 10 mm to 6 mm, a 160 mm handle tapering from 16 mm to 10 mm, and an 18 mm by 14 mm collar. Labels are placed outside the object with leader lines.
Why: Eight flanges divide the circle into eight equal parts, so adjacent flange centre lines are 45 degrees apart. The radii and widths define the head, and the handle and collar dimensions define the shaft and attachment. Labels make the parts identifiable.
Check: Measure adjacent flange angles and confirm 45 degrees. Measure the outer and core radii and confirm 40 mm and 15 mm. Confirm labels are outside the object and leader lines touch the named parts.
Exercise 4
Design a six-flange mace head with an outer radius of 28 mm and a core radius of 9 mm. Choose flange widths at the core and tip that taper by 4 mm, and state your chosen values. Add a handle 110 mm long with a taper of 4 mm between top and bottom diameters, and state your chosen diameters. Add a collar 13 mm wide and 9 mm tall. Calculate the angular spacing and state it.
Show answer and check
Angular spacing is 360 divided by 6, which equals 60 degrees. One valid choice is flange widths of 8 mm at the core and 4 mm at the tip, which taper by 4 mm. One valid choice for the handle is top diameter 12 mm and bottom diameter 8 mm, which taper by 4 mm. The drawing shows six flanges at 60-degree spacing, a 9 mm core radius, the chosen flange taper, a 110 mm handle with the chosen diameters, and a 13 mm by 9 mm collar.
Why: The angular spacing follows from dividing 360 by the number of flanges. The taper requirement is met by choosing any two widths or diameters that differ by 4 mm. Different valid choices are acceptable as long as the stated values are used consistently in the drawing.
Check: Measure adjacent flange angles and confirm 60 degrees. Measure the flange widths at the core and tip and confirm they differ by 4 mm. Measure the handle top and bottom diameters and confirm they differ by 4 mm. Confirm the collar dimensions match 13 mm by 9 mm.
Common mistakes
- Flanges are spaced unevenly because tick marks were guessed instead of calculated. Divide 360 by the number of flanges and mark angles with a protractor or compass stepping method. For six flanges, use 60-degree spacing.
- The handle is drawn as a straight cylinder with no taper or attachment detail. Use a top diameter of 12 mm and bottom diameter of 8 mm (hypothetical example), and add a collar rectangle 14 mm wide and 10 mm tall at the top.
- Flange thickness lines are drawn on both sides of every flange, making the head look cluttered. Add a single offset line on one side of each flange, offset by 2 mm (hypothetical example), and keep the offset consistent.
- Labels are placed inside the object and obscure the geometry. Place labels outside the object with short leader lines that touch the named part, and keep handwriting legible.
Self-check rubric
- Radial symmetry: flange centre lines are spaced at equal angles within the stated tolerance (for six flanges, 60 degrees).
- Flange geometry: each flange tapers between the stated widths and has a flat or rounded tip, not a sharp spike.
- Handle taper: top and bottom widths match the chosen values and the sides converge smoothly.
- Attachment: a collar or socket is drawn at the top of the handle and touches the head core.
- Line convention: outer contours use one outline weight and internal or construction lines use a lighter weight.
- Labels: core, flange, collar, and handle are labeled legibly with leader lines outside the object.
- Valid alternatives: different flange counts, widths, or handle lengths are acceptable if the angles and measurements are stated and internally consistent.
Questions and answers
How many flanges should the mace head have?
Any number that divides evenly into 360 degrees is easy to construct. Six flanges give 60-degree spacing; eight give 45 degrees. Choose one and state it in your drawing notes.
Can I use printed labels instead of handwriting?
Yes. The convention allows printed or handwritten labels as long as they are legible and placed with clear leader lines. Handwriting style is not graded for a single universal look.
Do I need to show hidden flanges on the far side?
You may show them with lighter lines or omit them. If you show them, keep them lighter than visible edges so the front geometry remains clear.
What units should I use?
Use millimetres consistently on paper. All numerical values in this lesson are hypothetical examples; measure your own paper and tools and label your chosen values.