Beginners Guide: Easy Scream Drawing Tutorial

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Unleashing the artist within you doesn't have to be scary — even if you're learning how to create an easy scream drawing. This beginner's guide will take you from a blank canvas to a masterpiece in easy-to-follow steps. Whether you're new to drawing or just want to try something new, this tutorial is perfect for you. So, grab your sketchbook and let's get started.

1. Prep Your Workspace

Before we dive into the actual drawing process, let's talk about prepping your workspace. A well-organized workspace can make your drawing experience much more enjoyable and hassle-free. Plus, it can positively impact the quality of your easy scream drawing.

Choose Your Medium

First things first, you need to decide what medium you're going to use. Will it be pencil, charcoal, or maybe digital art? Each medium has its own charm and challenges. Pencils are great for beginners because they're easy to control and erase. Charcoal, on the other hand, is perfect for adding depth and texture to your drawings but can be a bit messy. Digital art requires a tablet and a drawing software, but it offers endless possibilities and flexibility.

Get Your Drawing Tools

Once you've chosen your medium, gather all the drawing tools you'll need. For a pencil drawing, a set of drawing pencils in different hardness levels, erasers, and a sharpener will do. For charcoal, you'll need charcoal sticks, blending stumps, and a kneaded eraser. If you're going digital, a drawing tablet and a software like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate are your tools of trade.

Set Up Lighting

Last but not least, set up your lighting. Good lighting is key to seeing all the details you'll need to capture in your easy scream drawing. Natural light is the best, but if you're drawing at night, make sure you have a strong, preferably adjustable, desk lamp. The light should be positioned in a way that it illuminates your workspace without causing annoying shadows on your drawing.

So, now that your workspace is all set, let's move on to the next step — studying the subject of our drawing, the Scream.

2. Study The Scream

Before crafting your easy scream drawing, it's vital to study the original masterpiece. By understanding the work's history and its unique elements, you'll be better equipped to recreate it in your own style.

Learn About the Artist

The Scream is the most famous work of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Known for his evocative and emotional style, Munch created the Scream as part of his series "The Frieze of Life", a collection that delved into themes of love, fear, death, and anxiety. Familiarize yourself with Munch's artistry and the emotions he conveyed through his work. This understanding will add depth to your artistic interpretation.

Examine the Artwork

It's time to examine The Scream closely. Notice the swirling sky, the central figure's agonized expression, and the stark, almost barren, landscape. Pay attention to the colors Munch used, the bold lines, and the dynamic brushstrokes. These are all elements you'll want to incorporate into your easy scream drawing. Remember, the goal isn't to create an exact replica, but to capture the essence of the original in your own unique way.

With a solid understanding of The Scream, you're ready to put pencil to paper. Let's start with the basics.

3. Begin with Basic Shapes

Now that you're familiar with The Scream, it's time to start your own easy scream drawing. Remember, every great piece of art begins with simple shapes.

Draw the Head

Start by drawing an oval shape for the head. This will serve as the canvas for the scream expression. Make sure to position it in the middle of your page for balance. It doesn't have to be perfect; remember, Munch's style was all about conveying raw emotion, not precision.

Sketch the Body

Next, sketch out the body. Simple lines will do for now. Draw a couple of lines extending from the bottom of the head. Add a curved line to represent the arms raised in a scream. These forms will create the basic structure of your figure.

Outline the Background

Now, let's move on to the background. Draw a slightly curved horizontal line to represent the horizon. Sketch in the suggestion of a bridge or railing, like in the original. Remember, the beauty of your easy scream drawing lies in capturing the spirit of the original, not in an exact reproduction.

Now that you have your basic shapes in place, it's time to breathe life into your drawing by adding details.

4. Add Details

Adding details to your basic shapes is where your easy scream drawing really starts coming to life. Let's get into it.

Work on the Face

Focus on the face first, arguably the most expressive part of The Scream. Draw the eyes wide and the mouth open in an 'O' shape to capture the essence of the scream. Add lines around the face to depict distress. Remember, you're not just drawing a face, you're drawing emotion.

Draw the Clothes

Next, let's move to the figure's clothing. Sketch simple lines to create the folds of the robe. The clothes don't have to be detailed - it's the overall impression of the figure that matters. Simplicity is key in your easy scream drawing.

Fill in the Background

Finally, let's tackle the background. Broad, sweeping lines can suggest a turbulent sky. Add in the hint of a river below the bridge. You can relax your hand and let the lines flow—remember, it's all about expressing emotion.

With the details added, your drawing is starting to take shape. Next, we'll bring it to life with color.

5. Color Your Drawing

Coloring is the next step in your easy scream drawing journey. This is where your illustration will really start to pop and the emotion that you've sketched out will become more vivid.

Choose Your Colors

Edvard Munch's original painting of The Scream is filled with bold and striking colors. The sky is a swirl of orange and red, the figure's face is a pale yellow, and the bridge is a dark, solid presence. You can stick to these colors or feel free to choose your own—after all, this is your interpretation of The Scream.

Start Coloring

Begin coloring your drawing. Start with the figure, then move onto the background. Use broad strokes for the sky and finer ones for the figure and the bridge. Don't be afraid to go outside the lines—remember, this is about expressing emotion, not creating a perfect representation.

Add Shadows and Highlights

Finally, add shadows and highlights to give your easy scream drawing depth. Darker colors can be used for shadows, especially around the figure's eyes and under the bridge. Use lighter colors to indicate where the light hits the figure and the landscape. This will make your drawing more three-dimensional and lifelike.

With the coloring done, you're almost at the finish line. All that's left is to finalize your artwork and show it off to the world.

6. Finalize Your Artwork

At this stage, your easy scream drawing is almost complete. Let's put the finishing touches to your masterpiece.

Check for Mistakes

Take a step back and scan your drawing. Look for any areas that need improvement or corrections. Maybe the figure's hand could use more detail, or perhaps the bridge isn't as straight as you'd like it to be. Don't rush this part—take your time to make any necessary adjustments.

Add Final Touches

Now, add any final touches that will make your drawing truly yours. Maybe you want to add a signature in the corner or add more vibrant colors to the sky. The choice is yours—this is your easy scream drawing, after all.

And there you have it! You've just completed your very own interpretation of The Scream. But what's the point of creating art if you can't share it with others, right?

7. Show Off Your Work

Now that you've completed your easy scream drawing, it's time to share your masterpiece with the world. Don't be shy—your artwork deserves to be admired!

Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are great places to showcase your art. Not only can you share your work with friends and family, but you can also reach a wider audience. Use hashtags related to art and easy scream drawing to increase your reach. Remember, the internet loves a good artwork!

Hang in Your Home

Why not make your home your own personal art gallery? Find a special spot in your living room, bedroom, or even your kitchen—anywhere you'd love to see your easy scream drawing every day. And who knows? It might just inspire you to create more art!

And that's it! You've embarked on a fun journey, learned about the artist behind The Scream, and created your own interpretation of this iconic piece of art. Who said an easy scream drawing couldn't be fun and fulfilling? So, what's your next art project going to be?

If you enjoyed the "Beginners Guide: Easy Scream Drawing Tutorial" and want to take your character expression skills even further, don't miss the workshop titled 'Drawing Compelling Expressions in Character Design' by Rory Duke Stewart. This workshop will help you master the art of capturing emotions and creating dynamic expressions in your character designs, elevating your artwork to new heights.