Learning how to draw is an enriching and enjoyable experience for children. Artistic expression not only fosters creativity and imagination but also supports important developmental areas such as fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial reasoning. Drawing people can be a particularly engaging subject for young artists, as it allows them to explore their unique perspectives on the human form while developing their storytelling abilities. If you’re looking for a simple and fun way to introduce your child to the world of drawing people, this step-by-step guide will help you teach them how to draw a little person in just a few easy steps.
To begin, gather the necessary materials: a pencil, eraser, and a piece of paper. Start by drawing a large circle near the top of the paper for the head. Next, draw a smaller circle below the head for the body. Connect the head and body with two short lines to form the neck. Now, it’s time to add some details to the face. Draw two small circles for the eyes and a curved line for the mouth. Above the eyes, draw two short, curved lines for the eyebrows. Don’t forget to add a tiny nose in the middle of the face.
The next step is to draw the arms and legs. For each arm, start by drawing a short line extending from the sides of the body. Then, draw two longer lines to form the upper and lower arms. Connect the lower arms to two small circles for the hands. For the legs, draw two short lines extending from the bottom of the body. Then, draw two longer lines to form the upper and lower legs. Connect the lower legs to two small circles for the feet. Finally, add some finishing touches to complete the drawing. You can draw a few lines on the arms and legs to represent clothing or add a hat or other accessories to personalize the little person. Encourage your child to use their imagination and creativity to make their drawing unique.
Drawing the Head
Drawing the head is the first step in creating a little person. It’s important to get the proportions right so that the head looks balanced with the rest of the body. Here are some tips on how to draw a little person’s head:
Step 1: Draw a Circle
Start by drawing a circle. This will be the outline of the head.
Step 2: Add the Facial Features
Next, add the facial features. These include the eyes, nose, and mouth. The eyes should be placed about halfway down the circle, and the nose should be placed slightly below the eyes. The mouth should be placed just below the nose.
Step 3: Add the Hair
Finally, add the hair. The hair can be any style you want, but it should be drawn in a way that complements the facial features.
Tips for Drawing a Little Person’s Head:
- Use a light touch when drawing the circle. This will help to create a smooth, even line.
- Be careful not to press too hard when drawing the facial features. This can cause the lines to become too thick and make the head look distorted.
- Experiment with different hair styles to find one that you like. There is no right or wrong way to draw hair, so just have fun with it!
Creating the Body
The body of your little person is made up of two main parts: the torso and the legs. The torso is the main body part, and it includes the chest, abdomen, and hips. The legs are attached to the torso, and they allow your little person to stand up and walk.
To draw the body, start by drawing a circle for the head. Then, draw two ovals for the torso. The upper oval should be smaller than the lower oval. Connect the two ovals with a line to form the spine.
Drawing the Legs
To draw the legs, start by drawing two lines from the bottom of the torso. These lines should be parallel to each other, and they should be about the same length. At the bottom of each line, draw a circle for the foot.
To add detail to the legs, you can draw lines to represent the knees and ankles. You can also draw toes on the feet.
Here is a table summarizing the steps for drawing the legs of a little person:
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Draw two lines from the bottom of the torso, parallel to each other. |
| 2 | At the bottom of each line, draw a circle for the foot. |
| 3 | Add lines to represent the knees and ankles. |
| 4 | Draw toes on the feet. |
Adding the Arms and Legs
Now, let’s give your little person some limbs!
Step 1: Drawing the Arms
Start at the top of the head and draw two curved lines that extend outward, like two sausage shapes. These will be the arms.
Step 2: Making the Legs
Next, draw a horizontal line beneath the body, extending outward on both sides. This will form the waist. From each end of the waistline, draw two vertical lines that are slightly longer than the arms. These will be the legs.
Step 3: Adding Detail and Shape
To make the arms and legs look more defined, let’s add some detail:
- Elbows and Knees: Draw small circles at the points where the arms and legs bend, representing the elbows and knees.
- Hands: Draw circles at the ends of the arms to create the hands.
- Feet: Draw small ovals or rectangles at the ends of the legs to create the feet.
- Fingers and Toes: If you want to, you can add lines within the hands and feet to indicate fingers and toes.
|
Limb |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Arm |
Sausage shape, elbow, hand, fingers |
|
Leg |
Vertical line, knee, foot, toes |
Sketching the Details
1. Draw the head and neck
Start by drawing a circle for the head. Then, draw a line down from the bottom of the circle to create the neck.
2. Draw the eyes, nose, and mouth
Draw two circles for the eyes and a small line for the nose. For the mouth, draw a curved line.
3. Draw the body
Draw a rectangle for the body. Make it wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.
4. Draw the arms and legs
For the arms, draw two lines down from the shoulders. For the legs, draw two lines down from the bottom of the body.
| Arm and Leg Details | How to Draw |
|---|---|
| Upper arm | Draw a curved line from the shoulder to the elbow. |
| Lower arm | Draw a straight line from the elbow to the wrist. |
| Thigh | Draw a curved line from the hip to the knee. |
| Lower leg | Draw a straight line from the knee to the ankle. |
5. Add any other details
You can add any other details you want to your little person, such as hair, clothes, or accessories.
Choosing a Hairstyle
The hairstyle you choose for your little person can add a lot of personality. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Short and spiky: This hairstyle is perfect for a mischievous or playful little person.
- Long and flowing: This hairstyle is perfect for a gentle or graceful little person.
- Curly or wavy: This hairstyle is perfect for a lively or energetic little person.
5. Braided or pigtails:
Braids and pigtails are fun, easy-going hairstyles that can add a touch of whimsy to your little person. Here are a few different ways to style them:
| Type | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Single braid | Part the hair into three equal sections. Cross the left section over the middle section, then cross the right section over the new middle section. Repeat until the braid reaches the desired length. |
| Pigtails | Part the hair into two equal sections. Create a high ponytail on each side of the head. Braid the hair in each ponytail. |
| French braid | Start with a small section of hair at the crown of the head. Divide it into three strands. Cross the left strand over the middle strand, then cross the right strand over the new middle strand. Repeat, adding new hair from the sides as you go. |
Designing the Clothes
When designing the clothes for your little person, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Simplicity: Keep the clothes simple so that it’s easy for kids to draw.
- Color: Use bright and cheerful colors to make your little person stand out.
- Details: Add small details like buttons, pockets, and zippers to make the clothes more interesting.
- Accessories: Add accessories like hats, scarves, and jewelry to personalize your little person.
- Gender: Consider the gender of your little person when designing the clothes. Boys and girls typically wear different styles of clothing.
- Body Type: Consider the body type of your little person when designing the clothes. Some little people may be tall and thin, while others may be short and stout.
Additional Tips for Designing Clothes:
Here are a few additional tips for designing clothes for your little person:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a variety of shapes and sizes. | This will make the clothes more interesting and visually appealing. |
| Use different colors and patterns. | This will help to create a unique and personal style for your little person. |
| Add details like buttons, pockets, and zippers. | These details will help to make the clothes more realistic and interesting. |
Adding Accessories
Now that you’ve got the basic shape of your little person down, it’s time to add some fun accessories to give them some character and personality. Here are a few ideas:
Hats
Hats can completely change the look of your little person. Try drawing a baseball cap, a cowboy hat, a party hat, or even a crown. You can also add a feather or other embellishments to make it even more unique.
Glasses
Glasses can add a touch of sophistication or playfulness to your little person. Draw some round glasses for a nerdy look, or some aviator glasses for a more stylish appearance.
Hair
Hair is another great way to add some personality to your little person. You can draw long, flowing hair, short, spiky hair, or even a mohawk. You can also add some hair accessories, like a headband or a bow.
Clothes
The clothes your little person wears can tell you a lot about their personality. Draw them in a fancy dress or a superhero costume, or give them a casual outfit with jeans and a t-shirt. You can also add some accessories, like a scarf or a backpack.
Shoes
Shoes can add a fun and whimsical touch to your little person. Draw them in sneakers, sandals, or even cowboy boots. You can also add some socks or leggings to complete the look.
Other Accessories
There are endless possibilities when it comes to adding accessories to your little person. Here are a few more ideas:
| Accessory | Description |
|---|---|
| Mustache | A mustache can give your little person a mischievous or sophisticated look. |
| Beard | A beard can make your little person look wise or rugged. |
| Scarf | A scarf can add a touch of warmth or style to your little person. |
| Backpack | A backpack can give your little person a sense of adventure or preparedness. |
| Pet | A pet can add a touch of cuteness or companionship to your little person. |
Giving It a Background
Now, your little person needs somewhere to live! You can draw a simple background by adding some lines to create a ground or a house. You can also add some details like a window or a door to make it look more interesting.
Drawing Grass
To draw grass, start by drawing a series of short, wavy lines. Then, add some longer lines to create the look of blades of grass. You can also add some small circles to represent flowers.
Drawing a Ground
To draw a ground, start by drawing a horizontal line. Then, add some short, vertical lines to create the look of dirt. You can also add some small rocks or pebbles.
Drawing a House
To draw a house, start by drawing a square or rectangle. Then, add a triangle for the roof. You can also add some windows and a door. To make the house look more detailed, you can add some bricks or siding.
Drawing a Background Scene
If you want to create a more elaborate background, you can draw a scene with trees, mountains, or other objects. To draw a tree, start by drawing a trunk. Then, add some branches and leaves. To draw a mountain, start by drawing a triangle. Then, add some lines to create the look of ridges and valleys.
Coloring and Shading
Now that you’ve got your little person drawn, it’s time to add some color and shading. Here’s how:
Coloring
Use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to fill in the outline of your little person. You can use any colors you like, but here are a few suggestions:
- Skin: light brown, beige, or peach
- Hair: black, brown, blonde, or red
- Eyes: blue, brown, green, or black
- Clothing: any color you like!
Shading
To give your little person more depth and dimension, add some shading. You can do this with a pencil or a charcoal pencil. Start by lightly shading the areas where the shadows would fall, such as under the chin, nose, and eyes. Then, gradually darken the shading as you move away from the light source.
Adding Details
Once you’ve colored and shaded your little person, you can add some details to make them even more unique. Here are a few ideas:
| Feature | How to Draw |
|---|---|
| Hair | Draw short, wispy lines to represent hair. |
| Eyes | Draw two small circles for the eyes. Add a dot in the center of each circle for the pupils. |
| Mouth | Draw a small curved line for the mouth. |
| Nose | Draw a small triangle for the nose. |
| Clothes | Draw a simple shirt or dress. |
Final Touches and Enhancements
Now that the basic framework of your little person is complete, it’s time to add the finishing touches to bring it to life. Give your character some personality and style with these enhancements:
1. Eyes
Eyes are essential for expressing emotions. Draw open eyes for a wide-eyed, curious look, or closed eyes for a sleepy or contemplative expression.
2. Mouth
The mouth conveys emotions as well. A smiling mouth radiates happiness, while a frowning mouth suggests sadness or disapproval.
3. Nose
The nose is a subtle but important feature. A small, upturned nose has a playful vibe, while a larger, hooked nose can add a touch of sophistication.
4. Hair
Hair can add volume and texture to your drawing. Experiment with different hairstyles, such as straight, curly, or spiky hair.
5. Clothes
Clothes add personality and style to your character. Draw simple outfits, such as a T-shirt and jeans, or more elaborate attire, such as a dress or a superhero costume.
6. Accessories
Accessories can add fun and individuality to your little person. Draw a hat, scarf, jewelry, or other accessories that reflect your character’s personality.
7. Background
A simple background can help ground your character and provide a sense of context. Draw a basic landscape, such as a field, a forest, or a city street.
8. Color
Color brings your little person to life. Choose colors that match your character’s personality or the mood of your drawing.
9. Shading
Shading adds depth and dimension to your drawing. Use pencils or colored markers to create shadows and highlights that enhance the form of your little person.
10. Details
Attention to details is what separates amateur drawings from professional-looking ones. Add small details, such as freckles, wrinkles, or buttons, to bring your character to life and give it a unique personality.
How to Draw a Little Person for Kids
Drawing a little person for kids can be a great way to introduce them to the basics of drawing. It’s also a simple and fun activity that they can do on their own or with help from an adult. With a few simple steps, you can help your child create a little person that they’ll be proud of.
Materials:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Crayons or markers (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by drawing a circle for the head. Use a light touch so that you can easily erase it later.
- Next, draw two curved lines for the body. The lines should be close together at the top and wider at the bottom.
- Draw two lines for the arms. The lines should be curved outwards and end in small circles for the hands.
- Draw two more lines for the legs. The lines should be curved inwards and end in small circles for the feet.
- Use a black marker or pen to trace over the pencil lines.
- Erase the original pencil lines.
- Add details to the little person, such as eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and clothes. You can use crayons or markers to color in the little person.
People Also Ask
How do you draw a little girl for kids?
To draw a little girl for kids, follow the same steps as above. Once you have the basic shape of the body, you can add details such as a dress, hair, and facial features.
How do you draw a little boy for kids?
To draw a little boy for kids, follow the same steps as above. Once you have the basic shape of the body, you can add details such as pants, a shirt, and facial features.
How do you draw a little person with a hat?
To draw a little person with a hat, follow the same steps as above. Once you have the basic shape of the body, you can add a hat to the head. You can draw any type of hat you want, such as a baseball cap, a beanie, or a cowboy hat.
