Learn How to Draw a Nutcracker
You’ll learn how to start with some basic shapes to use as your guidelines. And then you’ll build out your drawing from that.
This is an easy method that anyone can follow, regardless of your skill level.
Let’s get our supplies and get ready to have some fun learning how to draw a nutcracker.
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Art Supplies
Nutcracker Sketch Practice
Doing a nutcracker sketch session is a great way to practice and get yourself warmed up. And the best part about it is that it only takes a few minutes to complete.
All you do is set a timer for three or five minutes, and then do as many nutcracker sketches as you can before the timer goes off. You can use reference photos to help with your sketch practice.
Doing this quick sketch exercise helps you get familiar with what a nutcracker looks like. But don’t get too hung up on all the details. Just focus on the shapes and proportions of the nutcracker.
Optionally, you can do your sketches until your paper is filled and you run out of room. And you can use whatever you want for your sketches. Pen, pencil, marker, or whatever else you can find to use.
How to Draw a Nutcracker Step by Step
The first step when learning how to draw a nutcracker is to draw out some basic shapes that can be used as guidelines.
Draw a square for the head, and another square for the body under that. Then draw out the shape of the hat and add in a couple of rectangles for arms.
You can also add some lines on the face for a symmetry line and where the eyes will go.
Then you can draw a couple of rectangles for the mouth.
Drawing out some guidelines will help get the drawing laid out on your paper. And help with the placement and proportions of your nutcracker drawing.
Now we need to start adding in the details. Begin by drawing a rectangle for the nose. Drawing the nose first gives you a good reference for the rest of the face since it’s right in the center.
Next, define the shape of the face. Keep in mind that nutcrackers are typically made out of wood. Therefore, they won’t have a lot of extra details and curves.
Now draw the eyes. These will usually be pretty simple looking. Draw a couple of half circles for the outside shape of the eye. And then add a couple of circles for the eyeball and pupil.
Next, draw a couple of eyebrows. There are a lot of different ways you can draw them. Use some reference photos to see what they actually look like.
The next step is to draw the teeth. This can be done by drawing a series of curved lines on both the top and the bottom of the mouth.
Now draw a mustache and a beard. Again, there are many different ways to draw these out. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.
Nutcracker Drawing – Soldier Uniform
Add some decorations to his hat. These can be shapes, jewels, or whatever else you may want to include.
Draw some hair on your nutcracker drawing. Try to keep everything symmetrical.
Next, refine the shape of the body and add some decorations to his arms.
Finish up your drawing by adding more decorations to his chest. Nutcrackers are soldiers, so decorate him as such.
Continue working on your drawing until you’re satisfied with how it looks.
Nutcracker Outline
The next step is to create your nutcracker outline. This can be done with a black pen, marker, or a different color as well.
How you outline your drawings will depend on your artistic style. You can do a thin outline for your nutcracker drawing. Or you can do a heavy outline.
Another option is to use a variety of line weights. It really just depends on what your artistic style is. If you’re not sure, don’t worry. It will develop over time and with some more practice.
How to Draw a Nutcracker with Markers
Learning how to draw a nutcracker with markers is easier than you might think. And there’s only a few things to keep in mind.
First, if you want to be able to blend your colors together you need to use alcohol based markers. Bic, Sharpie, and Copic for example. As well as many others.
Second, you need to work while the colors are still wet or they won’t mix together. This isn’t a big deal. Just make sure you work on a section at a time.
Third, you need to use colors that are similar to each other if you want to create a smooth transition of color. If your markers are too different they will leave a harder edge.
For each area of your nutcracker drawing try to use two or three colors instead of one solid color. For example, the areas that are black you could use a dark gray and black.
Or for the red areas you can use a light red and a medium red.
This will help add depth to your drawings and keep them from looking flat and boring.
White highlights can be added with a Gelly Roll pen.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
You learned how to draw a nutcracker. So now what? What’s the next step? To get better at anything takes practice. So the next step should be to practice drawing more nutcrackers.
Experiment and try new things. Have fun and don’t be afraid of failure. Every drawing you do will be a step in the right direction.
You don’t have to draw for hours a day. A few minutes each day will add up to more than you may realize. Try using Artist Trading Cards to save time. We have a Beginner’s Guide to ATCs to help you get started.
The more you draw the better you will get. So try challenging yourself to a series of nutcracker drawings and see where it takes you.
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