Learn how to draw Santa
Want to learn how to draw Santa Claus? In this easy guide, we'll show you how to draw Father Christmas step by step so you can sketch him with confidence!
You'll learn how to build up your Santa drawing gradually, starting with his rounded figure and finishing with his traditional red and white outfit.
Use your finished Santa drawing to decorate Christmas cards or put your picture in a frame and display it throughout the festive season. This how to draw Santa Claus tutorial is designed for beginners and it's easy enough for children to try too.
Esther Curtis says: "Keep your pencils lines light so you can rub them out easily afterwards without having to scrub at the paper."
You can sketch your Santa Claus drawing using pencils and outline it using a brush pen for a professional finish – or just use pencils if you prefer more of a sketched look.
Read on to learn how to draw Father Christmas step by step…
Free Santa coloring page
For younger children, download and print our free Santa coloring page for them and allow them to colour in the Santa drawing themselves.
How to draw Santa
You will need
- HB Pencil
- Brush Pen - Esther likes to use a Kuretake Fudegokochi brush pen
- Eraser
- Paper
Before you begin, you might find it useful to stock up on drawing supplies! Check out our guides to the best drawing pencils and best colouring pencils.
Step 1
Using a pencil, start by sketching an oval shape.
Find the centre of the oval by drawing a cross through the middle – take the vertical line down three or four times the height of your oval shape.
Give him some little oval shaped eyes on the centre line and an oval shaped nose just below.
Step 2
Next, sketch another oval shape, the same size as the first. Position it directly below so that the lines cross over at the horizontal mid point.
Next, more ovals! Draw two ovals at roughly 45 degrees that sit under his nose and go to the base line of the second oval.
Sketch a beard shape that starts from the second oval.
Step 3
Now we’ll add the body. Using your horizontal mid line as a guide, draw a rough ‘bell’ shape for his body and another just underneath for his legs.
Add another two ovals tilted outwards for his feet.
Step 4
Next up, let’s give him some arms. Sketch a rectangle shape that joins the body where his beard meets his torso.
Then add two more ovals, one larger, one smaller to form his mittens. Repeat this to draw his other arm.
Step 5
Now for his hat! We already have the top line of the second oval to position it. Sketch another line parallel to this for the hat’s band.
Decide where you’d like the pom pom to sit and draw that first, then sketch the curved lines which join the band to the pom pom.
Step 6
Time to ink. Using your pencil sketch as a base, draw in Santa’s face – adding extra shape and form where you’d like it. For example, I’ve made his moustache curvy and given his beard a pointy end.
Step 7
Add the rest of the details, including the fluffy trim, belt and some rosy cheeks! When your pen lines are completely dry, erase the pencil sketch below.
You’ve finished! You now know how to draw Santa and we hope you enjoy adding him to all of your Christmas projects.
Give Santa a helping hand
Say hello to Santa's happy and handy assistants by learning how to draw an elf.
Draw a winter wonderland
Now that you know how to draw Santa, try adding a bit of Christmas creativity! Why not sketch a festive backdrop such as a snowy scene or place Santa in his workshop at the North Pole?
More festive friends
Give Santa a friend to hang out with this Christmas with our how to draw a snowman tutorial.
