How to Draw a Cartoon Clown

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This easy drawing tutorial will help you make a friendly cartoon clown.
We will build the face first, then add costume details and big clown shoes.
Take your time, and keep your lines light until you feel confident.

Preview of Cartoon Clown drawing
Preview of Cartoon Clown drawing

What You Will Need

  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Black marker or pen
  • Paper
  • Optional: colored pencils or markers

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Time needed:

10 minutes.

Step-by-Step Drawing Guide

Step 1: Block in the Head and Eye Shapes

how to draw a cartoon clown - A cartoon clown head begins with a large circle and two tall arched eye shapes placed evenly inside.

Start with a big circle for the clown’s head.

Inside it, draw two tall arched eye shapes, keeping them evenly spaced.

Pro Tip: Use light lines and a simple center guide to keep both eyes balanced.

Step 2: Add the Nose and a Smiling Mouth

how to draw a cartoon clown - A cartoon clown face now has a round nose and a wide curved smile with an open mouth added beneath the eyes.

Draw a small circle under the eyes for the clown’s nose.

Then add a curved smile line, and a second curve below it to make an open mouth.

Pro Tip: Keep the nose centered under the eyes, and match the height of both smile corners.

Step 3: Add the Ears and Fluffy Side Hair

how to draw a cartoon clown - The cartoon clown face now includes two small ears and fluffy, cloud-like hair shapes added on both sides of the head.

Draw a small half-circle ear on each side of the face, then add a short inner curve for detail.

Outside the head, sketch cloud-like bumpy shapes on both sides to create the clown’s fluffy hair.

Pro Tip: Keep the hair puffs similar in size on both sides for a balanced look.

Step 4: Draw the Fluffy Ruffled Collar

how to draw a cartoon clown - The cartoon clown now has a puffy ruffled collar drawn beneath the smiling face, adding a classic clown costume detail.

Under the head, draw a chain of small bumpy curves to form a fluffy collar.

Add a short inner curve along the collar to give it a thicker, layered look.

Pro Tip: Keep the bumps a similar size, and center the collar evenly under the chin.

Step 5: Add the Arms and a Waving Glove

how to draw a cartoon clown - The cartoon clown now has two arms, including a raised arm with a mitten-style glove and ruffled cuffs, as if waving hello.

Draw two curved arm shapes coming out from both sides of the ruffled collar, with one arm hanging down.

Raise the other arm and draw a mitten-style glove at the end, then add a fluffy cuff at the wrist.

Pro Tip: Make the raised arm slightly longer, and keep the glove big enough to read clearly.

Step 6: Outline the Jacket and Lapels

how to draw a cartoon clown - The cartoon clown now has a simple open jacket drawn under the ruffled collar, with clear lapels and curved coat sides.

Under the ruffled collar, draw two long curved lines down the sides to form the jacket shape.

Add two pointed lapel lines in the center so the coat looks open in front.

Pro Tip: Match the lapel points on both sides, and keep the jacket hems about the same length.

Step 7: Add the Vest Panel and Buttons

how to draw a cartoon clown - The cartoon clown now has a simple vest panel inside the open jacket, with two round buttons and a curved hem line added.

Inside the open jacket, draw a simple inner panel to show the vest area.

Add two small circle buttons, then curve a short line at the bottom to suggest the vest hem.

Pro Tip: Line the buttons up along the center and keep the spacing even.

Step 8: Finish the Puffy Pants and Ankle Ruffles

how to draw a cartoon clown - The cartoon clown now has two puffy pant legs with fluffy wavy ankle cuffs added, ready for the big clown shoes next.

Under the jacket, draw two rounded pant legs and separate them with a short center line.

Add a wavy ruffle band at the bottom of each leg to show fluffy ankle cuffs.

Pro Tip: Keep both pant hems at the same height, and match the ruffle sizes on each side.

Step 9: Draw the Big Curly Clown Shoes

how to draw a cartoon clown - The cartoon clown is completed with oversized curly clown shoes and small pom-poms on each shoe tip.

Under each foot, draw a long shoe shape with a curled-up tip that points outward.

Add a small round pom-pom on each shoe tip, and keep the soles nice and rounded.

Pro Tip: Keep both shoes about the same length, and curl the tips in opposite directions for balance.

Step 10: Color in your drawing!

how to draw a cartoon clown - Step 10: Color in your drawing!

Fun Facts

  • Classic clowns often wear oversized shoes to make their steps look extra bouncy.
  • Ruffled collars come from old-fashioned costumes and stage outfits.
  • Many clown designs use simple shapes so the face reads clearly from far away.

Pin it now, Draw later!

how to draw a cartoon clown pinterest pin

Trace your final lines with a marker, then erase any leftover pencil marks.
You can color the nose, cheeks, buttons, or shoes to make your clown brighter.
Now you know how to draw a cartoon clown step by step—try drawing a second clown with a new pose!

Get the FREE Printable Drawing Guide

Printable Cartoon Clown Drawing Guide

FREE Download Printable Cartoon Clown Drawing Tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make the clown look friendlier?

Make the smile wider, keep the eyes tall and open, and avoid sharp angles on the face.

What if my shoes look uneven?

Lightly sketch both shoe lengths first, then curl the tips after they match.

Can I simplify this drawing for beginners?

Yes—skip the vest buttons and keep the jacket as one simple curved outline.

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