How To Draw a Leprechaun

Tell me something lads and lasses, do you know what March 17th is? I'll give you a hint. It's a joyous holiday or one and all, not just those with a bit of green in them. It's named after a patron saint, who brought Christianity to some heathens, and it's celebrated by consuming great quantities of beer.

It's Saint Paddy's Day.

So, what will it be this year? Invite the friends over, hit the bars, and tie one on? Well, why not do something constructive, and learn to draw a leprechaun? You don't know how? Well then, let me show you.

Photo Credit: Drawn By Me

To follow along, just take it one step at a time. Don't jump ahead, and don't go to fast.

The way it works is, the new lines for each step are drawn in red, while the lines of the previous step are drawn in blue, so they can be distinguished from one another. Lines that are solely guidelines, and not to be a part of the final drawing, are draw as dashed lines. Draw these lines lightly, so you can erase them later.

Photo Credit: Drawn By Me in InkScape

Time required: 30-minute or less

Difficulty: medium

Cost: pennies

Materials:

• pencil
• paper
• sharpener
• eraser

Instructions:

1. To start out, lay out the body form. Much of this is just laying out the space, and lengths of lines, so don't get overly attached to what's here. Just layout the torso first, as sort of a flour sack. Then each leg top, as thickened logs.

Stretch the lines for the arms and legs, and then draw out the head as sort of a pointed arrow, indicating where the facial features will lay down.

2. Next, add more definition for the clothing. Stretch the sleeves of the jacket out. Give the coat a long tail behind his back, and add the belt area. Then extend the calves as thin socks sprouting from his nickers. And finally, give him some pointed shoes, because, you know, leprechauns are shoe makers and all.

3. Now define the hands. The right hand is holding a giant ale, and should be tilted away, to show the bottom as an oval. Because this hand is exposed to the viewer, you'll have to define the fingers and thumb.

This can be difficult, but take your time, and try to think of the bones in the hand. If you're having trouble, use your own hand as a model. Then draw the left hand, as a fist. Make sure its thumb is poking out.

4. Now, get the face down. Stick to the lines laid out before. The center line should be the exact center of the face, so he's leaning away from the viewer.

The eye guidelines should be bowed upwards, to indicate that the head is tilted back. Begin the eyes on the lower line, and add the eyebrows starting at the upper one. I tried to make it look like the left eye was winking, so the faces is actually a little contorted, like he's a tipsy leprechaun.

Add a huge bulbous nose, and a big grin. Don't forget the big ears, either.

5. Now add the remaining features of the face and head. Draw a huge billowing hat, with a half circle at the exact front to demonstrate how it lays out. This is the exact front of the leprechaun's face, so it should center right on the guideline down the middle of his face.

Finish his beard, and add two tufts of hair on either side.

6. Now add the final details. A buckle on his hat and belt. Scruff up the beard, and add foam to the beer. Add any other details you think might be needed here. It's time to get real creative.

7. And now, the finishing touches. Erase any stray lines that don't make sense. Darken any lines that you might want to give a little more definition. And shade a few areas you think might need it. Otherwise, there he is, ready for the pub.

Slante!

There you have it, your very own leprechaun you can draw wherever you might want it, to show your Irish pride.

Check out Boneworld's Zazzle Page to get this leprechaun on a t-shirt, or possible something else.

Take your pick. Cheers!