How to Draw a Ninja (Easy Step by Step)
A ninja is a fun drawing because the whole character is built from circles, ovals and a few simple lines. You will start with a big round head and a smaller body, then add a headband, a mask, a waving arm and a belt with flowing tails. Once you know the shapes, you can draw your own ninja in lots of poses.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 11 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a ninja step by step
How to Draw a Ninja · 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 head
Draw a big circle for the ninja's head near the top of your page. Make the bottom of the circle a little flat, where the body will meet it.
Step 3: Body and belt
Under the head, draw a smaller rounded shape for the body, starting at the flat spot on the head. Across its lower part, draw a slightly curved belt line with a tiny circle in the middle for the buckle.
Step 4: The headband
Draw a gently curved band across the head, a bit above the middle, from one side to the other. On the right, let it stretch out into a pointy ribbon with a curved tip.
Step 5: The eye mask
Under the headband, draw a wide rounded rectangle, like a pill lying on its side. This is the ninja's mask opening.
Step 6: The eyes
Add two small dots inside the mask, side by side, for the ninja's eyes.
Step 7: The waving arm
On the left, draw two slanted lines going up and away from the body, like a long tube. Finish the top with a small circle for the hand.
Step 8: The other arm
On the right, draw two lines that stick out from the body, then close the end with a small oval for the hand.
Step 9: The belly curve
Under the belt, draw a curved line like a smile from one side of the belt to the other. This rounds off the bottom of the body.
Step 10: The legs
Under the body, draw two long rounded shapes like fat sausages, one on the left and one on the right. Start each one at the bottom of the body and curve it around at the bottom for a foot.
Step 11: The belt tails
On the right side of the belt, draw two pointy leaf shapes sticking out, one above the other. These are the flowing ends of the ninja's sash.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your ninja? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a unicorn or how to draw a dragon next.
Tips for drawing a ninja
- Draw the head circle first and the body second, with the body a little smaller. Starting the body right at the bottom of the head makes the ninja look like one connected person.
- Make the eye mask by drawing a long oval first, then rounding the corners. Put the two dots at the same height so the eyes look even.
- The leaf-shaped belt tails are the trickiest part. Start at the belt, curve out to a point, then curve back, and don't worry if the two tails are not the same size.
Free ninja coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this ninja 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 ninja drawing
Try a black or dark blue outfit with a bright red headband and belt, and leave the mask opening skin colored. For a creative twist, give your ninja rainbow belt tails or a secret pattern on the suit.
Ninja fun fact for kids
Ninja were spies and scouts in Japan hundreds of years ago. The word "ninja" is written with Japanese characters that can also be read as "shinobi".
Questions about drawing a ninja
What shapes do I need to draw a ninja?
You need a circle for the head, a rounded shape for the body, a rounded rectangle for the eye mask, and long rounded tubes for the arms and legs. The belt tails are simple leaf shapes.
How do I make my ninja look cuter?
Make the head big and the body small and round. Keep the eyes as small dots inside the mask, and add a waving hand so the ninja looks friendly.
How do I draw a ninja headband?
Draw a slightly curved band across the head, then let one end stretch out past the edge as a pointy ribbon. A gentle curve at the tip makes it look like it is blowing in the wind.
