How to Draw a Man (Easy Step by Step)
Learn to draw a friendly man using simple shapes like a round head, boxy shirt, and straight legs. This easy step-by-step guide will show you how to combine basic forms to create almost any person.
- Learn to draw a man using simple shapes.
- Begin with a round head for your figure.
- Construct the body with a boxy shirt.
- Add straight legs and rounded shoes.
- Master these basic shapes to draw any person.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This friendly man waves hello with a big smile, and he is built from simple shapes you already know. A round head, a boxy shirt, and two straight legs with rounded shoes are all you need. Once you can draw these shapes, you can draw almost any person.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a man step by step
How to Draw a Man · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: Chin and ears
Start under the light oval and draw the bottom half of the face, a round curve for the cheeks and chin. Add a small curl on each side for the ears.
Step 3: Hair, eye and smile
Fill in a rounded cap of hair across the top of the head, with a wavy edge over the forehead. Add one dot for an eye and a small curved smile under it.
Step 4: Shirt and sleeve
Draw a curved line from the right side of the neck out to a short sleeve. Then draw the arm hanging down, and a long line across the bottom for the hem of the shirt.
Step 5: Waving arm and side
Start at the left shoulder and draw a bent arm going up past the head, ending in a rounded fist shape. Then draw the left side of the shirt down from the shoulder, and keep going into one long line for the left leg.
Step 6: Fingers
On top of the hand, draw three short curved lines to make the fingers. Add one small line that joins the hand to the head.
Step 7: Legs and shoes
Draw the other outside leg line down from the shirt. Add a small upside down U between the legs, then draw a rounded shoe shape at the bottom of each leg.
Step 8: Shoe lines
Draw a short straight line across the top of each shoe, near the bottom of the leg, to close the shoe.
Step 9: Second eye
Add a second dot for the other eye, on the right side of the face, to match the first one.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your man? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a rocket or how to draw a shooting star next.

Tips for drawing a man
- The waving hand is the trickiest part, so draw the rounded fist shape first and add the three finger lines after.
- Draw the first eye and the second eye about the same size so the face looks friendly.
- Keep the two legs about the same length, with the small upside down U between them, so the pants look natural.
Free man coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this man 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 man drawing
Try dark brown hair, a bright blue shirt, and green pants with red shoes. For a creative twist, color the shirt with stripes or add a funny pattern of stars.
Man fun fact for kids
Each human hand has 27 bones, which is why your fingers can wave, grip and pinch so well.
Questions about drawing a man
What shapes do I need to draw a man?
You need a circle for the head, a boxy shape for the shirt, and two straight legs. Add rounded shapes for the shoes and a fist shape with finger lines for the waving hand.
How do I draw a waving hand?
Draw a bent arm going up from the shoulder and end it with a rounded fist shape. Then add three short lines at the top to make the fingers.
How do I make my man look friendlier?
Draw a curved smile and two round dot eyes. Raising the waving arm up high also makes him look happy to see you.






