How to Draw an Anchor

Anchors used to be popular as tattoos. Drawing a simple but great looking anchor is not difficult. An anchor drawing is made mostly out of simple geometric shapes that anyone can draw.

The tutorial below is very detailed. If you follow the step-by-step instructions, you can easily create a beautiful anchor drawing in just minutes.

Draw with a light touch at first. That way you can easily erase any stray lines you draw. Don’t be shy to tweak your shapes. Nobody makes a perfect circle or line in the first try.

​In the guide below, each step is highlighted in a light blue color.

You don’t need any special pens or tools. A regular pencil, eraser, and paper are all you need. If you want, you can also color the drawing with colored pencils or pens.

If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Guitar, Plane, and Robot.

Watch 'How to Draw an Anchor' Video Tutorial

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing an Anchor

Start with a straight vertical line in the middle of the page. This will be the shank of the anchor.

Add a small circle at top of the line. This will be the ring of the anchor.

Draw a horizontal line a little below the circle. This will become the stock of the anchor.

Sketch a large half-circle at the bottom of the line. This will be the arm of the anchor.

Add a small circle inside the anchor ring.

Draw two more vertical lines at both sides of the first vertical line.

Draw a curving line above the anchor stock.

Draw another curving line under the anchor stock.

Join the curving lines from the previous two steps with short curving lines. The stock of the anchor is beginning to take a shape.

Add two more short curving lines inside the stock.

Sketch a half-oval shape above the big half-circle we did in the beginning.

Draw an elongated S-shape under the anchor arms.

Do the same on the other side.

Draw an arrow-shape for the palm of the anchor.

Draw the other anchor palm.

Sketch a small bean-shape at the anchor ring.

Draw a long curving line to form a rope from the bean-shape.

Trace the previous line and draw another line parallel to it.

Add a lot of short curves inside the rope. Make sure they are curving the same way to enhance the impression of a rope texture.

Erase extra lines in the stock and shank.

Color your anchor drawing.