Ornament Drawing: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
In this guide
A shiny bauble hanging from a branch is the coziest little symbol of the season. 🎄 Best of all, ornament drawing starts with the simplest shape there is — a circle. Add a tiny cap, a loop, and a curl of ribbon, and you’ve got a glossy ornament ready to swing on the tree.
This guide walks you through the round body first, then all the sparkly finishing touches. Once you can draw one, you can fill a whole branch with them, which makes a wonderful addition to our easy Christmas tree drawing.
Whether you’re making holiday cards or just filling a snowy afternoon, a page of ornaments is one of the most relaxing things to draw. Each one can wear a different color and pattern, so you never get bored. Pick up your pencil, and let’s make something that shines.
What You’ll Need
- Paper
- A pencil
- An eraser
- Optional: bright markers and a white gel pen for shine
Step 1: Draw the Round Body
Start with a nice round circle in the center of your page. Don’t stress about perfection — go slow and let it be as round as you can. If it helps, trace around a bottle cap, a coin, or a roll of tape to get a smooth curve. This ball is the whole star of the show, so give it plenty of room to shine.
Step 2: Add the Metal Cap
On top of the circle, draw a small rounded rectangle, like a little crown. That’s the metal cap that holds the ornament together. Sit it right on the circle’s edge so it looks like it’s snugly attached, not floating above.
Step 3: Draw the Hanging Loop
Above the cap, add a small oval loop, like the eye of a needle. This is where the hook or ribbon threads through. Keep it dainty — a tiny loop makes the ornament feel delicate and ready to hang.
Step 4: Add a Curl of Ribbon
Thread a thin ribbon through your loop and let it curl softly upward, as if it’s tied to a branch above. A gentle wave in the ribbon looks far prettier than a straight line. This little detail sets your ornament in motion.
Step 5: Sketch the Shine Shape
On the upper-left of the ball, lightly outline a soft curved patch. You’ll leave this blank later so it reads as a glossy reflection. Marking it now keeps you from coloring over the sparkle by accident. This is the secret to that glassy look. ✨
Step 6: Add a Decorative Band
Wrap a fun pattern across the middle of the ball — a wavy stripe, a row of dots, or a zigzag band. Curve the pattern slightly so it hugs the round surface instead of lying flat. Now your ornament has some personality.
Step 7: Color It In
Fill the ball with a bold, cheerful color, coloring right around your shine patch but never over it. Make the band a contrasting shade so it pops. Give the cap a metallic gold or silver. Watch how that little blank spot makes it gleam.
Step 8: Deepen the Shading
Along the bottom-right curve of the ball, press a little harder or add a darker shade. This shadow tucks the ornament into shape and makes it feel round like a real glass ball. Blend the darker edge softly into the lighter middle so there’s no harsh line. A dot of white on the shine spot seals the sparkle. 🎨
Tips to Make Your Ornament Drawing Even Cuter
- Draw a whole row of ornaments in different sizes for a garland effect.
- Try teardrop or bell shapes instead of a ball for variety on the tree.
- Add tiny snowflakes or stars as the surface pattern for a frosty feel.
- Use jewel tones — deep red, emerald, and gold — for a classic holiday palette.
- Give one ornament a little painted scene inside, like a snowy hill or a tiny tree.
- Cluster three ornaments at slightly different heights for a hanging bunch.
FAQ
Is an ornament easy to draw?
Very. It’s a circle with a cap and a loop, plus a shiny spot. If you can draw a ball, you can draw a beautiful ornament.
How do I make an ornament look shiny?
Leave one small patch of white unpainted near the top, and add a darker shadow on the opposite side. That contrast tricks the eye into seeing glossy glass.
How long does an ornament drawing take?
About 10 minutes, more if you add detailed patterns. The shape is fast; decorating is the fun, unhurried part.
Every ornament you draw can wear a brand-new pattern, so keep experimenting and fill your tree with sparkle. ✨ For more festive draw-alongs, visit our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@hobbiesfor_fun. If you loved this, hang a leafy wreath drawing on your door next. ✏️
