How to Draw a Dumpling (Easy Step by Step)
A smiling dumpling is a great first drawing because it is mostly one big oval with a few simple lines on top. You will use curves, arches, short straight lines, and wiggly lines, and the little face makes it feel like a friend.
- Easy
- 10 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 dumpling step by step
How to Draw a Dumpling · 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 round body
Draw the bottom of a wide, flat-bottomed oval, like a big smile. Start at the upper left, curve down and around, and stop at the upper right, leaving the top open.
Step 3: The crimped top edge
Close the top with a row of small bumpy arches that join end to end, like a wavy crown. Start at the top left end of your curve and finish at the top right end, with the middle arches a bit higher.
Step 4: Center pleat lines
Under the middle arches, draw one short straight line going down from the point where two arches meet. Add a short slanted line on each side of it, leaning in toward the middle as they go down.
Step 5: Side pleat lines
On the left and right sides, draw two short slanted lines each, starting where the arches meet. Make them lean down toward the middle, like the center ones.
Step 6: Eyes and smile
Draw two small dots for eyes, low on the body and far apart. Between them, a little lower, draw a small curved smile like a tiny bowl.
Step 7: Rosy cheeks
Draw a small sideways oval outside each eye, a bit lower than the eyes. Keep the two cheeks matching.
Step 8: Wiggly steam
Above the dumpling, draw three tall wavy lines that wiggle back and forth as they go up. Keep them about the same height and spaced evenly apart.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your dumpling? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw boba tea or how to draw a cupcake next.
Tips for drawing a dumpling
- Draw the top arches about the same size. Try making a light dot for each place where two arches meet before you draw the curves.
- The pleat lines are easiest when they all start right where two arches meet and lean toward the middle, so the dumpling looks pinched together.
- For the steam, draw slowly and let your hand wiggle like a wave. Start each squiggle at the bottom and finish at the top, and keep all three about the same height.
Free dumpling coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this dumpling 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 dumpling drawing
Try warm tan or light yellow for the dough, with pink cheeks and a soft gray for the steam. For a creative twist, color each dumpling in a different flavor, like green for spinach or orange for pumpkin.
Dumpling fun fact for kids
Dumplings are eaten in many countries, and in China they are a traditional food for Lunar New Year. Many families fold them together, and the pleated edge is made by pinching the dough closed.
Questions about drawing a dumpling
What shapes do I need to draw a dumpling?
You need one wide curved body, a row of small arches for the crimped edge, and a few short straight lines for the pleats. The face uses two dots, a curved smile, and two small ovals for cheeks.
How do I make my dumpling look cuter?
Place the eyes low and far apart, and keep the smile small. Adding rosy cheek ovals on both sides gives it a sweet, happy look.
How do I draw the wavy steam lines?
Draw a tall wiggly line that goes back and forth as it rises, and keep your pencil moving slowly. Make the three lines about the same height so they look like they are rising together.
