Step by Step Voodoo Doll Owl Drawing for Beginners
If you’re looking for a fun twist on a classic spooky drawing, this voodoo doll owl is a great one to try! Instead of drawing a traditional voodoo doll, we’re turning the idea into an adorable owl with stitched details, button eyes, and that handmade doll look.
This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to draw a voodoo doll owl in a simple way, so it’s perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a quick and creative drawing idea. Grab your pencil, and let’s start sketching!
* Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Art Supplies
- Thin black marker
- Paper or cardstock
- Markers
- Pencil
- Click Eraser, Pink Pearl Eraser
- White Gelly Roll pen
The History and Symbolism of Voodoo Dolls
Voodoo dolls are a popular symbol in movies, Halloween decorations, and spooky illustrations, but their real history is a bit different from the way they’re often portrayed in pop culture. The idea of using small human-shaped figures in spiritual practices has existed in many cultures for centuries. In some traditions, these figures were used as symbolic representations during rituals, prayers, or healing practices.
In modern art and pop culture, voodoo dolls are usually shown as small handmade figures made from cloth, often decorated with stitches, buttons, and pins. Artists frequently use these features to create a slightly spooky but playful look, which is why voodoo doll designs show up in cartoons, Halloween art, and character illustrations.
In this tutorial, we’re taking inspiration from those stitched, handmade details but giving the design a fun twist by turning the doll into an owl. The button eyes, patchwork stitches, and soft doll shape help create a character that feels both spooky and cute.
Voodoo Owl Sketch Practice
Doing some quick sketches is a great way to warm up and work through some ideas. Especially when you’re doing this type of drawing.
Here’s how it’s done.
- Get some paper and something to sketch with (pencil, pen, marker, etc.)
- Pull up some reference photos of owls
- Set a timer for three or five minutes
Then simply sketch out as many owls or voodoo owls as you can before you run out of time.
You can focus on just drawing different styles of owls, or practice turning them into voodoo dolls.
Another way to do this exercise is to continue sketching until you fill up your paper. Just make sure to keep this exercise quick and loose.
How to Draw a Voodoo Doll Owl
I really enjoyed doing this drawing and I think you will too. And since there really isn’t a right or wrong way to draw them they are great for beginners.
You can do your drawing on whatever size works for you, but I love using artist trading cards for my drawings. They are a huge time saver and I love seeing all of my artwork in my mini portfolio.
Step 1: Basic Shapes
The easiest way to start out a drawing is by beginning with basic shapes. For my owl, I used an oval for the body and a sideways oval for the head. You can also add some rough shapes for the feet and wings.
Before moving onto the next step make sure the size and placement of your shapes are how you want them to look.
Step 2: Rough Sketch
Now we can start adding in some details. I like to start with the face, usually with the beak. There are different ways to draw the eyes. I used a button for one eye and stitching for the other eye.
You could use buttons for both eyes, or stitching for both eyes. Or, you could come up with some other ways to draw the eyes.
Finish the head by drawing the top of the head where the ears are. Again, there are many different ways to draw the ears as well.
Continue working on your rough sketch by adding the details for the body, including the wings and feet.
Step 3: Final Details
Finish up your drawing by adding in any extra details you want to add. Patches and extra stitching are great additions to any voodoo doll drawing. You could also add in some details for the background.
Voodoo Owl Outline
After you have your voodoo owl drawing finished and you’re happy with how it looks, you’ll need to get it ready for color.
I like using a black outlining pen for my drawings. But you could use another color as well.
When making your outline you can use thin lines or thick lines. Or you can vary your line weights.
One of the many benefits of working on a smaller scale, like artist trading cards, is that the drawings are quicker to complete so there’s more freedom to experiment and try new things. It’s much harder to try something new if you’ve spent a lot of time on your drawing.
How to Draw Voodoo Owls with Markers
Now comes the fun part… adding some color.
I like using alcohol markers to color in my drawings. My favorite markers right now are Ohuhu brand markers. They are nice markers, come in a variety of colors, and the cost is reasonable.
Since voodoo dolls can be made out of any type of material, you can use whatever colors you want.
I used a variety of colors for mine. Colors I might not use together normally.
If you want to blend your colors together you need to make sure they are still wet when you layer them on your drawing.
To do this, work in small sections at a time and start with your lighter color. Then add a darker color for your shadows on top. Use the lighter marker to blend the two together where they overlap. Follow this process for each section of your drawing.
A white Gelly Roll pen can be used to add highlights.
Next Steps: Keep Practicing Your Voodoo Doll Owl
Now that you know how to draw a voodoo doll owl, the best way to improve is to keep experimenting with it! Try drawing a few more versions using different shapes, expressions, or details. You can make your owl look cute, spooky, silly, or even a little mysterious just by changing the eyes, stitches, or pose.
You might also try:
- Adding patches or different stitch patterns
- Changing the wing shapes or body style
- Drawing a whole set of voodoo doll owls with different personalities
The more you repeat the drawing, the more confident and creative you’ll feel.
Final Thoughts + Your Next Drawing Challenge
Drawing something a little unusual, like a voodoo doll owl, is a great way to stretch your creativity and have fun at the same time. It doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters most is that you’re practicing and enjoying the process.
If you’d like a simple way to keep going, I created a free 7-day drawing challenge to help you build a daily drawing habit (even if you only have 5 minutes a day). It’s designed to be easy, fun, and perfect for beginners.
Grab your FREE Guide to Better Art in 7 Days
