Easy Gnome Drawing: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Unlocking your inner artist has never been easier with this step-by-step guide to easy gnome drawings. Whether you're a beginner, an art enthusiast looking to expand your skills, or just someone in search of a fun, relaxing pastime, this guide will lead you along an exciting journey where you'll learn to create your very own gnome masterpiece. Let's start!

Gather Your Materials

Before we dive into the world of easy gnome drawings, it's important to gather the right tools. Like a chef in a kitchen, every artist needs the correct materials to create their masterpiece. Here's what you'll need:

Choosing the Right Paper

While it might seem like a minor detail, the paper you choose can greatly affect the outcome of your gnome drawing. For beginners, a medium-textured sketchbook is a good choice. It's sturdy enough to withstand erasing and sketching, yet smooth enough to capture the finer details of your gnome.

Selection of Pencils

Next, you'll need pencils. A range of HB to 6B pencils will give you the variety needed for different stages of your drawing. HB pencils are perfect for initial sketches, while 4B and 6B pencils are great for adding shadows and darker lines in the later stages.

Use of Erasers

Don't forget the erasers! An art gum eraser is ideal for removing large areas of graphite, while a kneaded eraser is perfect for lightening areas and creating highlights. These two types of erasers will help ensure your easy gnome drawings turn out just how you envision them.

Now that you've gathered your tools, we're ready to start sketching. Remember, there's no rush—take your time, enjoy the process, and have fun creating your artwork!

Sketching the Basic Shape

Alright, it's time to start creating your easy gnome drawings. We begin by sketching the basic shape of our gnome. This might seem daunting at first, but don't worry—we'll break it down into manageable parts.

Drawing the Body

First, let's start with the gnome's body. Draw a simple, vertical oval shape in the middle of your paper. This will serve as the gnome's body. It doesn't have to be perfect—remember, art is about expression, not perfection!

Sketching the Head

Next, we'll sketch the head. Draw a smaller, horizontal oval shape above the body. This represents the gnome's head. Now you have the basic shape of your gnome. See? It's not as hard as you thought, right?

Outlining the Hat

Every gnome needs a hat, so let's draw one! Starting from the top of the head, draw a triangular shape extending upwards. Make sure the base of the triangle is as wide as the gnome's head. There you go—you've just sketched the basic shape of your gnome!

Great job on getting this far! Take a moment to admire your work before we move on to the next stage, where we'll be adding details to your gnome drawing.

Adding Details to Your Gnome

With the basic shape of your gnome sketched out, let's step it up a bit. Now, we'll dive into adding some character to our gnome. This part is fun—you get to decide how your gnome looks and feels. Ready? Let's go!

Drawing the Beard

What's a gnome without a delightful, fluffy beard? Not much of a gnome, if you ask me. So, let's give our gnome some character. Draw a semi-circle shape underneath the head—this will be the beard. Add some squiggly lines to make it look bushy and full. It's starting to look like a gnome now, isn't it?

Sketching the Nose and Eyes

Next, we're onto the face. Simply draw two small circles for the eyes and a larger one for the nose right in the middle of the face. That's it! You've just given your gnome drawing a face. How's your gnome looking so far?

Decorating the Hat

Finally, to add some extra flair, let's decorate the hat. You can add stripes, spots, or any other pattern you like. Remember, this is your gnome. Make it as unique as you are.

Wow, your gnome is really coming to life now! You've made some great progress. But we're not done yet. The next step is to finalize your sketch and add some polish to your easy gnome drawing.

Finalizing Your Sketch

Now that we've added that extra touch of personality to our gnome, it's time to clean up our sketch. This stage is all about refining and enhancing the look of our gnome drawing. So, let's get to it!

Erasing Excess Lines

First up, we need to erase any unnecessary lines. These might be the lines we used to guide our drawing or any mistakes that we made along the way. You'll be amazed at how much cleaner your gnome looks once these extra lines are gone. Pro tip: if you're having trouble erasing, try a different eraser. Some erasers are better at picking up pencil than others.

Refining Your Drawing

Now, let's refine our drawing. Look at your gnome. Are there any areas that need a bit more detail? Maybe the beard could use a few more lines or the hat could use some more decoration. Trust your gut—your gnome drawing will thank you for it.

Adding Shadows and Textures

Finally, we're going to add some depth to our gnome by adding shadows and textures. To do this, simply darken the areas that would be in shadow, like under the hat or the underside of the beard. Adding these shadows not only gives your gnome a more three-dimensional look, but it also makes your gnome drawing look more realistic. Well done—you've just taken your easy gnome drawing to the next level!

Now that we've finalized our sketch, we're ready for the next exciting step—coloring. Let's bring some color to our gnome, shall we?

Coloring Your Gnome

Alright, we're onto one of the most exciting parts of our easy gnome drawing journey—coloring. This is where our gnome really comes to life. But where do we start? Let's dive in!

Choosing Color Palette

First things first, we need to choose our color palette. Gnomes are usually associated with earthy tones, so think browns, greens, and reds. However, it's your gnome—feel free to get creative! Maybe your gnome is a fan of bright colors or perhaps he prefers a more monochrome look. The choice is entirely up to you.

Applying the Base Color

Now, it's time to apply our base color. This is the main color of each part of your gnome. For example, you might choose brown for the body, red for the hat, and white for the beard. Make sure to stay within the lines to keep your gnome drawing neat and tidy.

Adding Highlights and Shadows

Lastly, let's add some highlights and shadows to our gnome. Remember those shadows we drew earlier? Now's the time to color them in. And for the highlights, simply choose a lighter version of your base color and color in the areas where the light would hit. This will give your gnome drawing a three-dimensional look and make it pop off the page.

And there you have it! You've successfully colored your gnome. But we're not done yet. It's time to showcase your masterpiece. Let's find the perfect spot to display your easy gnome drawing.

Showcasing Your Artwork

Now that you've created your very own easy gnome drawing, it's time to let the world see it. Just like a proud parent, you're probably eager to show off your creation. But where and how should you display it? Let's explore some options.

Finding the Perfect Spot

Firstly, it's essential to find the perfect spot to showcase your gnome artwork. This could be anywhere from your bedroom wall to the community notice board at your local library. If you've made a series of gnome drawings, you might even consider creating a dedicated 'gnome corner' in your home. Just imagine how cool that would look!

Framing Your Artwork

Next, consider framing your gnome drawing. A frame not only protects your artwork, but it also gives it a polished, professional look. You might want to choose a frame that matches the color palette of your drawing. For instance, a rustic wooden frame might complement an earthy gnome perfectly, while a sleek black frame could give a modern edge to a colorful gnome.

Lastly, why not share your easy gnome drawing with the world? Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are great places to showcase your artwork. You could even start a blog to document your gnome drawing journey and share tips with other budding artists. But remember, the most important thing is that you're proud of your work. After all, every gnome drawing is a masterpiece in its own right.

And there we have it. You've not only created an easy gnome drawing, but you've also showcased it like a true artist. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to grab your pencils and start creating more gnome masterpieces. Happy drawing!

If you enjoyed this step-by-step guide on gnome drawing and want to further develop your skills, check out the workshop called 'How to Draw Beautiful Character Designs from Scratch' by Trey Zimmerman. This workshop will provide you with the techniques and guidance to create unique and captivating character designs, taking your drawing skills to the next level.