How to Draw a Ballerina (Easy Step by Step)
A ballerina is fun to draw because she is built from simple shapes: a round head, a puffy cloud for the tutu, and two thin legs. Her arms curve up over her head in a big ring, which makes her look like she is in the middle of a graceful twirl.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a ballerina step by step
How to Draw a Ballerina · 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: The head
Draw a big circle for the face. Along the top, make the line a little wavy to show where the hair starts.
Step 3: Hair bun
On top of the head, draw a small dome shape for the bun and close it at the bottom with a short curved line. Add three tiny straight lines above it for wisps of hair.
Step 4: Face and neck
Draw two small dots for eyes and a little curved smile below them. Then draw two short lines going down from the chin for the neck, a small curve below for the waist, and one short straight line below that.
Step 5: The fluffy tutu
Draw a wide, puffy cloud shape with wavy bumps all around. Make it much wider than the head so it sticks out on both sides of the body.
Step 6: The legs
Under the tutu, draw two thin lines hanging straight down next to the one you already have. Now there are two skinny legs, each made of two lines.
Step 7: Ballet shoes
At the bottom of each leg, draw a small rounded shoe with a tiny bow on top. Add a little U-shaped curve below each one for the toe.
Step 8: The arm hoop
Start at one shoulder and draw a big curved line up and over the head, ending at the other shoulder. Draw a second curve just outside the first so the arms make a double ring.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your ballerina? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a firefighter or how to draw a chef next.
Tips for drawing a ballerina
- Draw the tutu wide and wavy. Make each bump a little different in size so it looks soft and puffy.
- For the arm ring, draw the inner curve first, then add the outer curve next to it, keeping the same gap all the way around.
- Keep the legs straight and the same length, then put the shoes on last so the feet line up.
Free ballerina coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this ballerina 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 ballerina drawing
Pink for the tutu and shoes is a classic choice, with a soft peach face and brown or black hair. For a creative twist, color the tutu in rainbow stripes or add glitter dots for sparkle.
Ballerina fun fact for kids
Ballet began in the royal courts of Italy about 500 years ago and later became very popular in France. The word ballet comes from an Italian word, balletto, which means a little dance.
Questions about drawing a ballerina
What shapes do I need to draw a ballerina?
You need a circle for the head, a small dome for the bun, a wide wavy cloud shape for the tutu, and thin pairs of lines for the legs. The arms are two big curves that make a ring over her head.
How do I make my ballerina look cuter?
Keep the head big and round, and give her a wide smile with two round dot eyes. Thin legs and a puffy tutu make her look extra sweet.
How do I draw a tutu that looks fluffy?
Start with a wide, flat cloud shape, then give the edge lots of little bumps. Using wavy curves instead of straight lines makes the tutu look soft.
