Halloween Drawing Guide for Kids & Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 7 min read

When Halloween is around the corner, there's nothing quite like getting into the spirit with some fun and easy Halloween drawing ideas. This guide is designed to help beginners and youngsters dip their toes into the world of art, using the festive season as inspiration. By the end of this guide, you'll be able to create your own spooky masterpieces, no matter your level of experience.

1. Gathering Your Drawing Tools

Before you can start creating your Halloween art, you'll need to gather the right tools. This doesn't mean you need an art studio's worth of supplies — a few basics will do. Let's go over what you'll need:

Choose Your Paper

The type of paper you use can make a big difference in your drawings. For beginners, a regular sketchbook or drawing paper will work best. They're readily available and affordable. Remember, the smoother the paper, the easier it will be to draw and color.

Pick Your Pencils

Next up, pencils. A good set of drawing pencils is a must-have for any artist. Look for a set that includes a range of hardness levels. This will allow you to create different lines and shades in your easy Halloween drawing ideas. For beginners, start with a simple HB or 2B pencil, which is perfect for sketching and outlining.

Select Your Eraser

Even the best artists make mistakes, and that's where erasers come in handy. A good quality eraser can help you correct errors and make adjustments as you draw. Choose a white or gum eraser as they're less likely to leave marks on your paper.

Grab Some Colors

Last, but certainly not least, you'll need something to bring your Halloween drawings to life — colors! Colored pencils, crayons, or markers can all be great options. If you're just starting out, colored pencils are a good choice. They're easy to use and offer a wide range of colors to make your Halloween drawing ideas pop off the page.

With your drawing tools ready, you're all set to start bringing your spooky Halloween creations to life. Up next, we'll dive into the basics of drawing and how to sketch simple shapes — the building blocks of any great drawing.

2. Drawing Basic Shapes

Now that we've gathered our drawing tools, it's time to move on to the next step of our easy Halloween drawing ideas guide — mastering basic shapes. You might be surprised by how many different Halloween images you can create with just simple shapes like circles, squares, and triangles. Let's start shaping!

Master the Circle

Many Halloween icons begin with a circle. Think about the round shape of a pumpkin or the full moon on a spooky night. So, how do you draw a perfect circle? Start by lightly sketching an oval shape. Then, slowly refine your lines until they form an even circle. Don't worry if it's not perfect — remember, practice makes perfect!

Form the Square

Squares aren't as common in nature as circles, but they're still useful for building various elements in your Halloween drawings. Think about the windows of a haunted house or a creepy picture frame. To draw a square, start with a straight line for the bottom. Then draw three more lines of the same length, connecting at right angles. It's as simple as that!

Create the Triangle

Triangles are another basic shape that can play a big part in your Halloween drawings. They can form the roof of a haunted house, the hat of a witch, or even the spooky eyes of a jack-o-lantern. To draw a triangle, start with a straight line for the base. Then, draw two more lines from each end of the base, meeting at a point at the top. Again, don't stress if it's not perfect; the beauty of art is in its uniqueness.

And there you have it: three basic shapes that will serve as the foundation for your easy Halloween drawing ideas. Next, we'll move on to sketching some Halloween icons using these shapes.

3. Sketching Halloween Icons

With basic shapes under your belt, let's venture into the exciting world of Halloween icons. We'll use the simple shapes we've mastered to draw a pumpkin, a ghost, and a witch hat. These easy Halloween drawing ideas will get your creative juices flowing in no time. Ready? Let's begin!

Draw the Perfect Pumpkin

Remember the circles we've practiced? You'll need them now. Pumpkins are a staple of Halloween, so let's start there:

Draw a circle. It doesn't have to be perfect; pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes.
Add curved lines within the circle to represent the pumpkin's ridges.
Draw a small stem at the top— a curved rectangle will do the trick.
For a Jack-o'-lantern, add two triangles for the eyes and a spooky grin. There, you've drawn a pumpkin!

Sketch a Spooky Ghost

Next on our list is a ghost — another classic Halloween icon. Here's a step-by-step guide to draw a simple ghost:

Start with an oval for the ghost's head.
Draw a wavy line below the oval to make the ghost's body. It should look a bit like a squashed letter 'M'.
Draw two circles for the ghost's eyes and a bigger one for the mouth. You just drew a ghost!

Craft a Creepy Witch Hat

Finally, let's draw a witch hat to complete our Halloween ensemble. Here's how:

Draw a wide-brimmed, upside-down 'U' for the base of the hat.
Add a tall triangle on top of the 'U' for the pointy part of the hat. It should look like a mountain peak.
Add a band around the base of the triangle for some extra detail. Voila, a witch hat!

Now that we've sketched some Halloween icons, it's time to move on to the next step in our easy Halloween drawing ideas guide — adding details to your drawings.

4. Adding Details to Your Drawings

Now that you've got your basic Halloween sketches, it's time to make them pop with some added details. Shading, highlighting, and adding textures can make a world of difference in your drawings. Let's explore how you can use these techniques to transform your easy Halloween drawing ideas into works of art.

Define with Shading

Shading gives depth and dimension to your drawings. Here's how you can do it:

Decide on a light source. The side of your drawing opposite to the light source will be darker.
Use your pencil to shade the darker areas. Press harder for darker shades and lighter for lighter shades.
Use your finger or a piece of tissue to smudge the pencil lines, creating a gradient effect. Now your drawings have depth and dimension!

Highlight Your Drawing

Highlights are the areas where light hits your subject most directly. They add a touch of realism to your drawings. Here's how to highlight:

Identify the areas that would be hit by light. They should be on the same side as your light source.
Leave these areas blank or color them lightly.
Use an eraser to lighten any areas that got too dark. Now your drawings have a sense of light direction!

Add Texture and Patterns

Last but not least, let's talk about textures and patterns. They add visual interest to your drawings. Here's how to create them:

Observe real-life objects to understand their texture. Does a pumpkin have smooth or bumpy skin? Is a witch's hat rough or glossy?
Recreate these textures in your drawing using lines, dots, or shading.
Add patterns such as stripes or stars for some extra fun. Now your drawings have their own unique look and feel!

Great job on adding these details! Now that our sketches are detailed and defined, let's bring them to life with color in the next step of our easy Halloween drawing ideas guide.

5. Coloring Your Halloween Drawings

Coloring is where your Halloween drawings truly come alive. It's like adding the final layer of magic to your artwork. Let's explore how to choose the right colors, apply them smoothly, and blend them together to create eye-catching Halloween masterpieces.

Choose Your Color Palette

First things first, you need to choose your color palette. This can really set the mood for your Halloween drawings. Here are some tips:

Think about Halloween colors: oranges, purples, blacks, and greens are a good start.
Don't be afraid to use bright colors for contrast, like a bright white ghost or a yellow witch's broom.
Remember, it's your artwork, so feel free to experiment with colors!

And there you have it. You've chosen a color palette that will make your Halloween drawings stand out.

Apply Colors Smoothly

Next, let's apply the colors. For a clean, professional look, it's important to apply colors smoothly. Here's how:

Start by lightly coloring in your shapes with your chosen colors.
Go over the lighter areas again, pressing harder to create a more saturated color.
Don't rush this step. Take your time to fill in all the spaces evenly. There's no race here!

Now your Halloween drawings are starting to come to life!

Blend Colors Together

Finally, let's blend our colors together. Blending can create a seamless transition between different colors and shades. Here's how to do it:

Start by laying down your lighter color first.
While it's still fresh, add your darker color on top.
Use a colorless blender pencil or your finger to blend the two colors together.

And voila! You've just added a touch of sophistication to your easy Halloween drawing ideas.

And that's it! You've successfully added color to your Halloween drawings, bringing them to life in vibrant detail. With these techniques, your Halloween artwork is sure to impress your friends and family.

If your kids or beginners are eager to improve their drawing skills, especially after reading our "Halloween Drawing Guide for Kids & Beginners," then don't miss the workshop 'Drawing with Ease and Accuracy' by Yazmin Moktan. This workshop will provide them with the essential techniques and tips to enhance their drawing abilities, making their Halloween-themed drawings even more spook-tacular!