How to Draw a Gymnast (Easy Step by Step)
This gymnast is built from circles and ovals: a big round head, tiny round hands, and wide oval shoes. With arms flung up high and a twirly wand, this little athlete looks ready to cheer. It is a great first drawing for practicing steady curves.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 10 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a gymnast step by step
How to Draw a Gymnast · 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 in the middle of your page for the head. Leave a small gap at the top, and make the bottom a little flat, where the body will go.
Step 3: The leotard body
Under the head, draw a short box with slightly curved sides for the body. Add a curved line across the lower part to show the bottom edge of the leotard.
Step 4: Arms up high
Start where the head meets the body and draw two long curved lines going up and out, like a big V. Make each arm a thin line that bends a little as it reaches out.
Step 5: Little hands
At the end of the left arm, draw a small circle for a hand. At the end of the right arm, draw a little curl where the hand will go.
Step 6: The twirly wand
Draw a small circle at the end of the right arm to finish the hand. From it, draw a thin line going up, and at the top draw a spiral that curls into the middle, like a ribbon wand.
Step 7: Hair bun and bow
On top of the head, draw a half circle for a hair bun. Then draw a bow in front of it: a small knot in the middle with a loop on each side, like two sideways teardrops.
Step 8: A happy face
Draw two small round dots for the eyes, spaced wide apart. Between them and a little lower, draw a curved smile.
Step 9: A star on the shirt
In the middle of the body, draw a small star with five points.
Step 10: Legs and shoes
Under the body, draw two short, straight lines for legs. Finish each one with a wide, flat oval for a shoe, and let the two shoes touch in the middle.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your gymnast? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a skateboarder or how to draw a boxer next.
Tips for drawing a gymnast
- Draw the head oval first and keep it big. Everything else is smaller, so a roomy head gives the arms and wand space to fit on the page.
- The spiral on the wand is the trickiest part. Start in the middle and circle outward, or draw a loop first and curl a line inside it.
- Draw the two arms so they slant up at about the same angle. If one looks lower, add a little more curve to even them out.
Free gymnast coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this gymnast 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 gymnast drawing
Try a bright pink or purple leotard with a yellow star, a red bow, and a rainbow-striped wand. For a creative twist, color the hair bun brown and the wand in every color you have.
Gymnast fun fact for kids
Rhythmic gymnasts perform with a ribbon, hoop, ball, and clubs, and the ribbon is 6 meters (about 20 feet) long.
Questions about drawing a gymnast
What shapes do I need to draw a gymnast?
You need a big oval for the head, a box with curved sides for the body, small circles for the hands, and flat ovals for the shoes. A bun, a bow, a star, and a spiral finish it.
How do I make my gymnast look cuter?
Keep the head big and the body small, and put the eyes wide apart with a curvy smile. A bow and bun in the hair and a star on the shirt add charm.
How do I draw the arms so they look like they are raised?
Start each arm where the head meets the body and draw it curving up and out. Put a small circle at the end of the arm for the hand.
