What you need
A pencil, an eraser and a sheet of paper are enough. Draw lightly at first, then trace the lines you want to keep when your santa claus is finished.
All 6 steps on one sheet
Copy the whole drawing from this sheet, or follow the steps below one at a time.
Step 1 of 6
Map the full-body pose
Sketch a head oval, rounded torso and pelvis. Add joint guides for a raised waving arm, a lowered arm holding the sack, and two standing legs. Reserve an oval beside Santa for the sack.
Beginner tip: Leave room for the hat above the head and both boots below the legs.
Your drawing after step 1 Step 2 of 6
Shape the coat, arms and legs
Connect the guides with natural contours for the coat and sleeves. Shape the raised mitten, the lowered hand, rounded trousers and two sturdy boots.
Your drawing after step 2 Step 3 of 6
Draw the face, beard and hat
Add kind eyes, a round nose and a smiling mouth. Frame the face with a curled moustache and beard, then draw the floppy cap with its band and round pompom.
Your drawing after step 3 Step 4 of 6
Add the belt, mittens and gift sack
Wrap a broad belt and square buckle around the coat. Refine the mittens, gather the sack beneath the lowered hand, and add broad cloth folds, the coat opening and trim bands.
Beginner tip: Let the fingers overlap the gathered sack neck so the grip feels connected.
Your drawing after step 4 Step 5 of 6
Texture the beard, fur and clothing
Build the beard with grouped directional strands and the fur trim with irregular tufts. Add fabric folds at the elbows and knees, then define the boot cuffs, soles and creases.
Your drawing after step 5 Step 6 of 6
Refine contours and snowy shadows
Remove unused guides and strengthen selected overlapping contours. Hatch beneath the beard, belt, coat and sack folds, then add ground shadows and a few snow marks beneath Santa's boots.
Beginner tip: Keep the white fur open and concentrate shading where forms overlap.
Your drawing after step 6
That's it! You have drawn a santa claus.
Trace your favorite lines a little darker, erase any unwanted pencil marks and add color if you would like.
