How to Draw a Pirate (Easy Step by Step)
This little pirate is fun to draw because it is built from circles, curves and boxes. A big round head, a dome for the hat and a short striped shirt are the main shapes. Add an eye patch and a sword, and the pirate comes to life.
- Easy
- 15 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 pirate step by step
How to Draw a Pirate · 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: Round head
Draw a big circle for the head, but stop a little before the top so the sides curve in and leave a gap. The hat will cover that gap.
Step 3: Pirate hat
Draw a wide dome on top of the head, like half a circle. Add a flat curved band along the bottom of the dome so it looks like a hat brim that sits over the gap.
Step 4: Shirt top
Under the head, draw a short wide box for the top of the shirt. Add a curved line across the top and another curved line a little lower for the bottom of the band.
Step 5: Arms and sword
Draw a round arm bump on the left side of the body and a long line along the bottom of the shirt. On the right side, draw a thin stick shape standing up for the sword, with a curved arm holding it.
Step 6: Two boots
Under the shirt, draw two small upside-down U shapes side by side. They are the pirate's feet.
Step 7: Eye patch strap
On the left side of the face, draw a small cup shape for the bottom of the eye patch. Then draw a curved line from it up and across the head to the right side.
Step 8: Skull badge
Draw a small circle in the middle of the hat. Add two little dots inside it for the skull's eyes.
Step 9: Face and shirt details
Finish the eye patch with a round ring and a short tail on the left. Add a dot for the open eye and a curved smile. Then draw two short neck lines, stripes across the shirt and a small belt buckle in the middle.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your pirate? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a pirate ship or how to draw a princess next.
Tips for drawing a pirate
- Draw the head circle first, leaving a gap at the top, so the hat has room to sit over it without getting squashed.
- Draw the eye patch in two parts. First the strap that runs across the head, then the round ring that finishes it.
- Keep the stripes on the shirt straight and evenly spaced, and draw the belt buckle as a small square in the middle.
Free pirate coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this pirate 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 pirate drawing
Try a red and white striped shirt, a black hat with a white skull and a brown belt. Use gray for the sword and a dark color for the eye patch.
Pirate fun fact for kids
The skull and crossbones flag that pirate ships flew is called the Jolly Roger.
Questions about drawing a pirate
What shapes do I need to draw a pirate?
You need a big circle for the head, a half circle for the hat, and a short box for the shirt. Add a ring and a curved line for the eye patch, and little U shapes for the boots.
How do I make my pirate look cuter?
Make the head extra big and the body small. A curved smile and one round dot for the eye make the pirate look friendly.
How do I draw a pirate sword?
Draw a long, thin stick shape standing up beside the body. Then draw a curved arm that wraps around the bottom of it like a hand holding it.
