Caroline
When Christmas time rolls around, there are many different signs and traditions that will pop up to make sure you know it is the festive season.
One of the most unique Christmas objects is the nutcracker.
Originating in Germany to help bring good luck and protection to the home, these little toy soldiers have since become popular around Christmas all over the world.
Despite becoming quite popular, many people may struggle to learn how to draw a nutcracker and not know where to start.
Luckily, that’s what this tutorial is here for, and our aim is to get you having some artistic Christmas fun before you know it!
So why not put on your favorite festive tunes and prepare for this step-by-step guide on how to draw a nutcracker in just 6 easy steps.
How to Draw A Nutcracker – Let’s Get Started!
Step 1
Nutcrackers can come in a huge variety of styles and designs, but there are a few elements that are pretty consistent throughout many examples of the toy.
One of these is the tall, rectangular hats that they will often wear, and this is what we shall begin with in this first step of our guide on how to draw a nutcracker.
First, before we draw the rectangular outline of the hat, we will add a thin, curved shape over the front of the hat.
You can then draw a small circle with a smaller circle inside of it above this curved shape.
Next, draw the rectangular shape of the hat as it appears in the reference image. You may want to use a ruler for this outline if you have one handy.
Add a thin rim at the top and bottom of the hat, and then finish off with some small triangular shapes forming a pattern along the top rim.
Step 2 – Now, draw the face of the nutcracker
With the hat of the nutcracker drawing done, we can start drawing the head in this step. Use your ruler to draw some straight lines down at a slight angle outwards from the base of the hat.
You can start to draw the base of the face on either side, but don’t draw a complete line.
Instead, draw a small rectangular shape at the center of the bottom of the face, and then draw some grid-like teeth into it.
Finish off with a thin, vertical nose with a curly mustache attached, some blank eyes and some rounded shapes for the hair on the side of the head.
Then you will be ready for the third step of the guide!
Step 3 – Draw the arms for the nutcracker
Next in this guide on how to draw a nutcracker, we will be drawing the arms and the body for the toy. First, draw some flat shapes on the shoulders with a rounded portion on top of each one.
Then, add another rounded shape beneath each one with some lines going through them. Next, use your ruler to draw some straight vertical lines for the outline of the rectangular body.
Then, draw some rectangular shapes on the sides of the body with some curved line details across them. Finally, draw some simple hands at the ends of the arms before we proceed.
Step 4 – Next, draw some details onto his uniform
For the following step of your nutcracker drawing, we will be adding some details to the uniform of this toy soldier.
First, draw four circles onto the chest of the nutcracker, and then connect them with straight lines.
Then, we will be drawing a belt for the nutcracker. This will have a square with a smaller square inside of it for the buckle, and then some thin rectangular shapes will be used for the belt straps.
Then, you will be ready for the final details and elements in the next step of the guide.
Step 5 – Add the final details to your nutcracker drawing
You’re ready to add the final elements to your picture in this step of our guide on how to draw a nutcracker!
We will be focusing on the legs of the nutcracker in this part, and as you can see in the reference image they will be quite small and squat.
The tops of the legs will be somewhat triangular in shape, and then you can draw the boots facing outward.
You can then finish off with some more triangular shapes forming the tails of his coat behind his back.
Once you have finished off these elements of the nutcracker, you could also finish it off nicely with some details of your own! It could be fun to create a Christmas image by drawing a festive background for it.
If you went with this idea, what kind of setting would you create for him?
Step 6 – Finish off your nutcracker drawing with color
Now it’s time to finish off this nutcracker drawing with some color.
Seeing as this is a toy associated with Christmas, it only makes sense to color it in with some colors equally associated with Christmas, and this is what we did in our reference image.
We used some reds and golds for his outfit while using some dark blues for his hat.
Do you think you will go for similar colors in your own drawing or will you choose unique colors for it instead? We look forward to seeing what mediums and colors you choose for this image.
3 More tips to make your Nutcracker drawing easy!
Take a crack at these tips for your nutcracker sketch that will make it easier to draw.
This drawing of a nutcracker that we created in this guide is very detailed. This level of detail looks great, but it could also result in the drawing being a lot more difficult to draw.
Nutcrackers can come in many different forms, and many of them have very simple designs. You could alter the drawing to have one of these designs if it would make it easier.
The best part is that these simplifications can not only make it easier but can result in a more unique picture that you may even prefer. What style of nutcracker could you use to make it easier?
Another way that you could make this nutcracker drawing easy would be to make it part of a larger display.
This may seem like a way to make the drawing harder, but it will result in the nutcracker being a less prominent part of the scene.
Nutcrackers are often part of a Christmas setup, so you could add some cool Christmas decorations around it and create a wonderful scene.
The nutcracker could be a smaller part of the drawing if you’re struggling to draw it but still want to include it. Plus, you will have a fuller Christmas scene to enjoy as well!
Finally, you could make your nutcracker sketch easier by using the real thing to help you out.
As we mentioned, nutcrackers are a common decoration around Christmas, so there might even be one with your decorations.
If you happen to have a real nutcracker in your house, then you’d be good to go and could use it to help you as you draw.
If not, then you can often buy cheap nutcracker ornaments, especially around Christmas.
Another option would be to look up images of nutcrackers online to use as you draw. Doing this would not only make it easier but would also allow you to create some unique variations.
Your Nutcracker Drawing is Complete!
This toy is such a classic Christmas object, and we hope that recreating it in this guide on how to draw a nutcracker was a lot of festive fun for you to work on!
If you struggled with this picture at all, then as long as you closely follow the steps in the guide and don’t give up then you’ll be able to do it in no time!
Then, you can finish off with your own details, ideas, color and art medium choices!
When you would like to take on a new fun drawing challenge, then you can find more drawing guides on our Facebook and Pinterest pages to enjoy.
We have a huge selection that grows all the time, so keep checking in for more fun!
You can then share the Christmas cheer of your nutcracker drawing by sharing your artwork on our Facebook and Pinterest pages for us all to see!
