How to Draw a Gargoyle (Easy Step by Step)
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A gargoyle is a fun mix of friendly shapes and spooky details. This one starts with a big oval head, then adds a curved chin line, thighs, pointy horns, triangle ears, a grumpy face with a big smile, bumpy wings, strong arms, and a tail with a diamond tip. Your gargoyle sits on a stone ledge, ready to watch over the town.
- Medium
- 20 minutes
- 10 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a gargoyle step by step
How to Draw a Gargoyle · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The big round head
Draw a big, wide oval near the top of the page. Leave a tiny gap at the top left and top right, and leave room above and on both sides for horns and ears.
Step 3: Chin curve and thighs
Just under the head, draw a short curve that bends like a little rainbow. Then draw a curved line on the left and another on the right lower down, like two bent knees.
Step 4: Horns, ears and eyes
On top of the head, draw two small pointy horns. Add a sideways triangle ear on each side of the head. Then put two dots inside for eyes, with a short slanted line above each one for grumpy eyebrows.
Step 5: A cheeky smile
Draw a wide, curved smile low on the face, like a smooth bowl shape. Start near one side of the face and end near the other.
Step 6: Bumpy wings
On each side of the head, draw a long line going up and out. Then bring it back toward the body with a wavy, bumpy edge, like a bat wing with a few points.
Step 7: Strong arms
Draw two bent arms, one on each side, coming down from the wings. Make each arm with two lines side by side so it looks thick, and end them near the knees.
Step 8: Hands, feet and tail
At the end of each arm, draw a small rounded hand. Below each hand, draw a foot with a few short straight lines for toes. On the right side, start a thin wavy line for the tail.
Step 9: The tail tip
Finish the tail by continuing the wavy line upward and ending it with a small diamond shape at the tip.
Step 10: The stone ledge
Draw a long rectangle with rounded corners under the gargoyle's feet. Add two straight lines inside it to split it into three stone blocks.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your gargoyle? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a baby unicorn or how to draw a tiara next.
Tips for drawing a gargoyle
- Make the head oval wide and a little squashed. A wide head gives your gargoyle its cheeky look.
- The wings are the trickiest part. Draw the long line going up and out first, then add the bumps along the edge one at a time.
- Draw the stone ledge last, and let the feet sit right on top of it. That way your gargoyle looks like it is really perching there.
Free gargoyle coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this gargoyle coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your gargoyle drawing
Try cool stone grays with a hint of purple, and make the ledge a lighter gray with darker lines between the blocks. For a creative twist, give your gargoyle bright rainbow wings.
Gargoyle fun fact for kids
The word gargoyle comes from the Old French word gargouille, which means throat. Real gargoyles are stone carvings on old buildings, and many of them are rain spouts that send water out of their open mouths and away from the walls.
Questions about drawing a gargoyle
What shapes do I need to draw a gargoyle?
You need one big oval for the head, a few curved lines for the chin and thighs, small triangles for the ears, and a rectangle for the stone ledge. The horns, wings, arms and tail are made from simple curved and wavy lines.
How do I make my gargoyle look friendlier?
Draw a big curved smile and keep the eyebrows only slightly slanted. Round, smooth shapes also feel friendlier than sharp, jagged ones.
How do I draw gargoyle wings?
Start with a long line going up and out from beside the head. Then draw a wavy, bumpy edge back toward the body, like a bat wing.
