How to Draw a Scarecrow
Scarecrows are such fun, and sometimes scary, objects of our environment. We’re going to show you how to draw a scarecrow using a process that can be repeated and changed. Then you’ll be able to make any type of scarecrow drawing you could ever want to make.
Your drawings are only limited by your imagination. If you want to get good at drawing, or improve your creativity, all you have to do is practice. Anyone can learn how to draw anything. And the more you draw, the better you will get.
What is a Scarecrow?
A scarecrow is a man made object that is used to deter birds from disturbing crops. Hence the name scarecrow… they are used to scare crows.
They are typically human-like figures made from old clothes that are stuffed with straw or another type of filling to add bulk to it.
When the wind blows, it causes the scarecrows to move and become more life-like. This is what makes them so effective. It is also why they are perceived as being scary.
Although scarecrows are made using a stuffed burlap bag for the head, jack o lantern heads have become quite popular for use in drawings.
When doing your scarecrow drawings, you can do it either way.
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Art Supplies
- Thin black marker
- Paper or cardstock
- Markers
- Pencil
- Click Eraser, Pink Pearl Eraser
- White Gelly Roll pen
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Step by Step Scarecrow Drawing
If we think about what a scarecrow is in real life, it will help us break it down into simpler shapes. They are human-like figures that are mounted to wooden crosses. Or they are free hanging on a wooden post.
So let’s begin by drawing a wooden cross. We have a post on how to draw crosses if you want to check it out. Most of the cross will get covered up so it doesn’t have to be anything fancy.
Now we’re going to draw some basic shapes to use as our guides. This will help get proper placement and proportions for your scarecrow drawing.
Draw a circle for the head somewhere around the area where the cross intersects, or slightly above. If you’re planning on drawing your scarecrow with a burlap face you can draw an oval instead. Or you can change it when you sketch your details a bit later.
And draw a square for where the body will be. You can also draw some rectangles to show where you want the arms. Add a hat for your scarecrow too, if you want him to have one. Again, just sketch out the rough shape and add in the details later.
Scarecrow Sketch
Now you can start adding in some details to your scarecrow drawing. Since this is a sketch you want to keep your lines light so they can be easily changed.
This is the stage where you want to work out any changes you need to make as you go. Sketch everything out lightly and fix whatever you don’t like.
I like starting with the face since it’s the most fun to draw. When drawing your face you can make your scarecrow look scary or cute. It just depends on which you prefer.
We have a full step by step drawing tutorial on how to draw Jack o Lanterns, so I’m not going to go into detail here.
Sketch a shirt for your scarecrow, and make it look tattered and torn to give it some character.
You can add some pants, or leave the pants off. I think it looks good either way.
And then add some stuffing sticking out from the openings of his clothes. Plus whatever other little details you want to include.
You can also draw in some weeds or tall grass at the bottom where the post goes into the ground.
Scarecrow Outline
After you finish your scarecrow sketch and you’re satisfied with how it looks, you can add an outline. I usually use black for my outlines. But you can use whatever you think will look good.
When making your outlines, you can do thin or thick lines. Or you can do a combination of the two.
Varying your line weight will make your drawings look more interesting. But this is a skill that takes some practice to master. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work on it though.
How to Draw a Scarecrow with Markers
I’m using alcohol markers for this example. It’s my preferred medium for most of my artwork.
I should also mention that I’m doing my scarecrow drawing on Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). They’re a great way to save time.
Whether you’re using markers, colored pencils, or any other medium, you’ll want to use more than one color for each section of your drawing. For example, yellow was used for the hat, and then a brownish yellow was used to add some shadows.
Two different greens were used for the shirt. Also for the face yellow, orange, and dark orange were used.
Using more colors will make your scarecrow drawing look more interesting and less flat. If you’re used to using only one color this might take a bit to get used to. And that’s ok.
Keep practicing and you’ll get more comfortable and confident with your colors.
Conclusion
Learning to draw a scarecrow should be fun and easy. It shouldn’t feel stressful at all. Relax and enjoy the process. And remember, learning to draw is a skill that takes practice. But anyone can learn to do it.
The more you draw the better you will get. So practice as often as possible. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. Those minutes will add up.
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