How to Draw a Clown Easy (Beginner Art Tutorial)

How to Draw a Clown

Today we are going to learn how to draw a clown. This is an easy step by step art tutorial for beginners of all ages.

You’ll learn everything from using basic shapes to rough out your drawing. To outlining, adding color, and highlights.

There are many different ways to draw clowns. After going through the tutorials, keep drawing clowns and see how many different drawings you can come up with on your own. Be creative and have fun.

Let’s get started by gathering up some supplies for our drawing.

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Art Supplies

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How to Draw a Clown, Easy Step by Step

Start by drawing a circle for the basic shape of the head. You’ll also want to add some guidelines for the center of the face. And for where you want the eyes, nose, and mouth placement to be.

By changing the shape and placement of these guidelines, you can change the overall look of your clown drawing.

Now draw the nose in the center of the face. You can make a simple circle nose for your clown.

Or you can draw it a different shape if you want. Maybe more like a realistic nose.

Next draw the eyes. Again, there are many different ways to draw the eyes.

Drawing a larger circle with a couple of smaller circles inside is the easiest way to draw them. But feel free to experiment with different styles of eyes.

For the mouth, draw the smile line then add the makeup around it.

Add a hat to your clown drawing if you want. There are also many different style hats you could draw. I went with a simple party hat.

Notice how the hat curves to match the top of the head.

Add some decorations and a pom-pom on top to make it look more interesting.

Now draw some crazy hair for your clown. Have fun with the hair. It’s the best part of drawing a clown.

Add a bow tie around his neck. Make it extra small or extra big, just for fun.

Finish your rough sketch by adding a body and a couple of arms.

Add in any extra details you want for your clown. You could draw in some designs on his clothes, or maybe add some balloons or a circus in the background.

Clown Outline

When you are satisfied with how your drawing looks, use a black pen or marker to outline your drawing. I like using PITT Artist Pens by Faber Castell.

To make your drawings look more interesting you can vary the line weight. This takes a bit of practice to get it right. But it’s worth the time investment in my opinion.

After your clown drawing is outlined, use a Pink Pearl eraser to clean up the pencil lines.

Your drawing is ready to add color. I’m using alcohol markers today. But you can use whatever medium you want.

Clown Drawing with Color

When using markers for your drawings it’s important to use two or three markers for each section. This will keep them from looking flat and boring.

Clowns wear all sorts of crazy outfits with a variety of colors. So feel free to go crazy and have fun.

Use similar colors for each section. For example, yellow and a light orange work well together. Or red and a red-orange for the hair.

A white Gelly Roll pen works really well for adding highlights when you’re finished with the colors.

Now you know how to draw a clown. Next let’s learn how to draw a scary clown. You know, just in case you’re into that sort of thing.

How to Draw a Scary Clown

Drawing a scary clown has a similar process to drawing a clown. But there’s a bit more advanced details to drawing it.

We’ll start with the basic shape again. But this time draw a circle with an upside down triangle at the bottom.

Next, draw the nose. Using a circle for the nose is the easiest way to draw it. But you can make your nose however you like.

Now draw two circles for eyes. These circles will be used as guides and placement for how and where the eyes will be drawn. So draw them lightly.

Add lines for the eyebrows. Make sure you draw them so they look scary. This is usually done by drawing them curving up, then bending and coming down.

Next, start drawing out the shape of your eyes. Draw points at the ends to make your clown look scary. Rounded edges will look friendlier.

Finish up the eyes by drawing the iris and pupils. Then start working on the shape of his head. This can be drawn in a variety of ways. Just do whatever look rights for your scary clown drawing.

Now draw the teeth. Of course you’ll want them to be pointed and sharp since we are learning how to draw a scary clown.

Draw some hair for your scary clown.

Finish up your rough drawing by adding a body. You can draw a bowtie, like we did with the previous clown drawing. Or you can add a ruffled collar.

You can add in any extra details you think your scary clown drawing needs. You can add some stripes to his clothes. Or anything else you want to add.

Scary Clown Outline

When you’re happy with how your scary clown looks you can outline your drawing using a black pen. Don’t forget to clean up your pencil lines with an eraser.

Scary Clown Drawing with Markers

Finish up your drawing by adding some color. I like using markers for my drawings but colored pencils, crayons, paint, or pastels work just as well. It’s really just a matter of personal preference and the look you’re going for.

A white Gelly Roll pen can be used to add highlights.