How to Draw Jason Voorhees: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 7 min read

Have you ever wanted to create a jason drawing but didn't know where to start? This step-by-step guide is perfect for beginners looking to draw the infamous Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th movie franchise. Follow along as we walk you through everything you need to know—from gathering the right materials to adding the finishing touches to your masterpiece.

1. Gathering Materials

Before we can begin our jason drawing journey, it's important to gather the necessary materials. Having the right tools on hand will make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Let's take a look at what you'll need:

Choosing the Right Paper

While any paper will do for practice, using a higher quality paper will make your artwork look more professional. Consider using:

Drawing paper: Slightly thicker than regular printer paper and has a subtle texture that's ideal for pencil drawings.
Sketch paper: A lighter weight paper that is perfect for quick sketches and practicing.
Watercolor paper: A heavier paper that can handle wet media, such as ink or watercolor, if you decide to add color to your jason drawing.

Selecting the Best Pencils

Not all pencils are created equal, and using the right type can greatly impact the quality of your drawing. Here are some suggestions:

Graphite pencils: Available in various hardness levels, these are perfect for creating different shading effects. A good set will include both hard (H) and soft (B) pencils.
Charcoal pencils: Ideal for creating deep shadows and rich black areas in your jason drawing.
Colored pencils: Optional, but if you're feeling adventurous, these can add a splash of color to your artwork.

Finding the Perfect Erasers

Even the most skilled artists make mistakes, so having a good eraser is essential. Here are a few types to consider:

Rubber erasers: Your standard eraser that comes in various shapes and sizes. Great for general use and erasing large areas.
Kneaded erasers: These moldable erasers can be shaped to erase small details and are gentle on the paper.
Vinyl erasers: Known for their precision, these erasers are excellent for erasing fine lines and creating highlights in your jason drawing.

2. Drawing the Face

Now that we have our materials sorted, it's time to dive into the core of our jason drawing. We'll start with the face, which is the most iconic part of Jason Voorhees. Don't worry if your drawing doesn't look perfect at first—remember, practice makes perfect!

Shaping the Head

Begin by drawing a simple oval shape for the head. This will serve as the base for Jason's mask. Keep in mind that the shape doesn't have to be perfectly symmetrical, as Jason is known for his distorted and menacing appearance. Tilt the oval slightly to one side to give your drawing a dynamic and menacing feel.

Adding the Eyes

Next, let's focus on Jason's eyes. Draw two almond-shaped ovals within the head, making sure they're slightly angled and not too close together. Remember, Jason's eyes are often hidden in shadow, so don't be afraid to make them darker and more mysterious. You can achieve this effect by using a softer (B) pencil or a charcoal pencil.

Drawing the Iconic Mask

Now for the signature part of any jason drawing: the iconic hockey mask. Follow these steps to create the mask:

Start by drawing a rough outline of the mask around the head shape. The mask should cover most of the oval, leaving some space for the neck and shoulders later on.
Add the three horizontal straps that go across the mask—one at the top, one in the middle, and one near the bottom.
Draw the triangular nose hole in the center of the mask, just above the middle strap.
Finally, add the various circular holes scattered across the mask. There are multiple patterns you can use, but the classic design has six holes on each side and three on the forehead.

With the mask completed, your jason drawing is starting to come to life!

3. Drawing the Body

Moving on from the face, it's time to tackle Jason's body. This part of the jason drawing process is all about creating a menacing and powerful figure. Don't worry about making everything perfectly proportioned—Jason is known for his hulking, supernatural presence.

Sketching the Torso

Begin by drawing a rough outline of Jason's torso, starting from the base of the head. Make the shoulders broad and sloping, and the chest area wide. As you move down the torso, taper the outline slightly to create a "V" shape. This will give the impression of a strong, muscular build. Don't forget to add a simple horizontal line to indicate where the waist will be.

Drawing the Arms

Now, let's add some powerful arms to our jason drawing. Follow these steps:

Draw two lines extending from each shoulder, creating a rough outline of the upper arms. Make them thick and muscular.
Add the elbows by drawing slight curves at the end of the upper arm lines.
From the elbows, sketch the lower arms, again making them thick and muscular. Remember, Jason is known for his brutal strength!
Finally, draw a simple outline for the hands. You can choose to have Jason's hands clenched in fists or grasping a weapon, like his signature machete.

Creating the Legs

It's time to give Jason a solid base by drawing his legs. Here's how:

From the waistline, sketch two lines extending downward to create the thighs. Make them thick and sturdy, just like the arms.
Add the knees by drawing two simple curves at the end of the thigh lines.
From the knees, draw the lower legs, making them slightly thinner than the thighs but still strong-looking.
Lastly, sketch the feet, which can be drawn as simple boots or more detailed footwear, depending on your preference.

With Jason's body complete, our jason drawing is starting to take shape! Next, we'll add details and finishing touches to make it truly come to life.

4. Adding Details

Great job on drawing Jason's body! Now, it's time to add some details to our jason drawing. This is where your creativity can shine. We'll be focusing on clothing textures, shadows, and incorporating a background to make our drawing more dynamic and visually interesting.

Creating Clothing Textures

Let's start by giving Jason's outfit some texture. He usually wears a rugged, workman-style outfit, so think about adding wrinkles, folds, and creases to his clothes. To do this:

Sketch light, curved lines around the arms, legs, and torso to create the illusion of fabric folds.
Add small, irregular shapes to represent holes and tears in his clothes, making them appear worn and damaged.
For his iconic hockey mask, draw a few scratches and dents to show its battle-worn history.

Adding Shadows and Depth

Now, let's add some shadows to our jason drawing to create depth and dimension. This will make our drawing look more realistic and give it a sense of volume. To create shadows:

Identify your light source, which will determine where the shadows fall. For example, if the light is coming from the top-left corner, the shadows will be on the bottom-right side of the shapes.
Use a softer pencil or slightly darken your lines on the shadowed sides of the shapes, like the arms, legs, and mask.
Add small, curved lines near the folds and creases of the clothing to further emphasize the shadows and create a more natural look.

Incorporating a Background

Finally, let's add a background to our jason drawing to set the scene. You can choose any setting you like, but remember that Jason is often found lurking in dark, eerie environments like the woods around Camp Crystal Lake. To create a simple background:

Sketch a horizon line behind Jason to establish the ground level.
Add trees, bushes, or other foliage to create a forest-like setting. Keep them simple and silhouette-like to avoid distracting from the main subject.
Consider adding a moon, stars, or dark clouds to set a creepy, nighttime atmosphere.

With these details added, our jason drawing is almost complete! Let's move on to the finishing touches to polish it up and make it truly stand out.

5. Finishing Touches

You've done an amazing job with your jason drawing so far! Now, let's add some finishing touches to make it truly shine. We'll focus on cleaning up, adding highlights, and finally, signing your work.

Cleaning Up Your Drawing

First, let's clean up any smudges or stray lines that may have occurred during the drawing process. To do this:

Use a soft eraser to gently remove any unnecessary pencil marks or smudges. Be careful not to erase the lines you want to keep!
For stubborn marks, consider using a kneaded eraser, which can be molded to fit small areas and lift pencil marks more effectively.
Once you've erased any unwanted marks, go over your final lines with a darker pencil or ink to make them stand out.

Adding Highlights

Now that our jason drawing is cleaned up, let's add some highlights to create contrast and make certain areas pop. To add highlights:

Identify the areas where the light source is hitting your subject directly. These areas should be the brightest and most illuminated.
Use a lighter pencil or white colored pencil to gently draw over these areas, creating a subtle shine.
Pay special attention to the mask, as the smooth surface will reflect more light and create more noticeable highlights.

Signing Your Work

Finally, it's time to sign your masterpiece! Adding your signature to your jason drawing not only personalizes it but also helps others recognize your work. To sign your drawing:

Choose a spot on your drawing that is visible but not distracting, such as the bottom corner.
Using a pencil, pen, or even a unique symbol, sign your name or initials in a clear, legible manner.
Consider adding the date as well to remember when you completed this fantastic piece of art.

And there you have it! You've successfully created your very own jason drawing, complete with details, depth, and a fitting background. Congratulations on mastering this step-by-step guide for beginners! Now, feel free to share your work with friends, family, or fellow horror fans, or even try drawing other iconic characters using the skills you've learned. Happy drawing!

If you're looking to improve your drawing skills and learn the basics, check out the workshop 'Drawing 101' by Agamsujenkins. This workshop will provide you with essential techniques and tips to help you master the art of drawing and unleash your inner artist.