How to Draw an Accordion (Easy Step by Step)
An accordion looks fancy, but it is built from simple shapes: curved lines, rounded rectangles, tall straight lines and a zigzag. The folded middle part, called the bellows, is the fun part because it looks like a paper fan. Once you can draw rectangles and dots, you can draw a whole instrument.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 6 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw an accordion step by step
How to Draw an Accordion · 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: Curved top and bottom
Draw two long curved lines across the top, one tucked inside the other, like a wide smile turned upside down. Then draw two matching curves across the bottom, like a smile.
Step 3: Two side boxes
Draw a tall rounded rectangle on the left and another on the right, tucked over the ends of the curves. Make them the same height so your accordion looks balanced.
Step 4: Left keys
Inside the left box, draw five small rounded rectangles in a stack, like little pillows. Leave an even gap between each one.
Step 5: Bellows folds
Between the two boxes, draw seven tall straight lines side by side. Make the middle line the tallest and the ones on the sides a little shorter.
Step 6: Wavy folds and buttons
Draw a wavy zigzag across the tops of the tall lines, going up and down like little hills, and do the same along the bottoms. Then fill the right box with three columns of five round dots.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your accordion? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a dollhouse or how to draw a puzzle cube next.
Tips for drawing an accordion
- Draw the two side boxes the same height, so the bellows have an even space to fit in.
- The zigzag is the trickiest part. Draw the tall lines first, then connect their tops and bottoms with short up and down lines.
- For the dots, draw one row of three, then copy it straight down so the columns line up.
Free accordion coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this accordion 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 accordion drawing
Try a shiny red or blue for the side boxes, white and gray for the folds, and black dots. For a twist, color each fold a different rainbow stripe.
Accordion fun fact for kids
An accordion makes sound when you squeeze and stretch the bellows, which pushes air past tiny metal reeds inside. The folded middle part works like an air bag.
Questions about drawing an accordion
What shapes do I need to draw an accordion?
You need some curved lines, two tall rounded rectangles, five small rounded rectangles, seven straight lines, a zigzag and a bunch of circles.
How do I make the bellows look folded?
Make the tall lines different heights in a pattern, with the tallest in the middle, and join their ends with a wavy zigzag. The up and down edge looks like folded paper.
How do I keep the dots neat?
Draw light guide lines first, three across and five down. Put one dot where each line crosses.
