Santa Claus is a common sight in December throughout much of the world, adorning Coca Cola products, children's books, front yards, and more.
While Christmas or variations of it have been celebrated for centuries, Santa as we know him today is a relatively recent invention.
Santa Claus's roots are generally traced to the fourth century bishop Saint Nicholas, as well as to the European deity, Wodan, also called Odin.
Nicholas had been known for generosity and was remembered in early December; Yule celebrations to Odin and other spirits also took place in that month.
Eventually, these were assimilated into Christmas celebrations held on December 25.
Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.
The modern appearance of Santa Claus was described in the poem "The Night Before Christmas" in 1823, and popularized in political cartoons.
During the twentieth century, marketers capitalized on this image, using it to sell products ranging from foods and beverages to decorations, toys, and clothing.
Would you like to draw Santa Claus? All you will need is a piece of paper, a pencil, and this easy, step-by-step drawing tutorial. You may also want to use an eraser and markers, colored pencils, crayons, or paints.
If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Christmas Lights, Snowman, and Christmas Stocking.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing Santa Claus

Begin by drawing an oval to outline Santa's head.

Draw a smaller oval within the first to form the nose.


Extend two curved lines from each side of the nose, allowing them to meet in blunt points. This forms the mustache.

Erase the guide line from between the sides of the mustache.

Draw a wavy, scalloped line, enclosing a shape from one side of the head to the other. This forms the beard.

Extend two long, curved lines downward from the beard, outlining the body. Connect the lines using a long, curved line. Around the bottom of the figure, draw a long, scalloped line.

Outline the arm using a long, curved line, looping from the shoulder and into the torso. Draw a shorter curved line to form the other side of the arm.

Erase the guide lines from across the arm.

Enclose the cuff of the sleeve by drawing a series of connected, short, curved lines.

Enclose the hand using a curved line. Add detail where the thumb and fingers meet by drawing a short, curved line.

Erase the guide lines from the hand. Draw a rounded rectangle on one side of the torso to form the belt buckle. Draw a smaller rounded rectangle within the first. Then, draw a set of parallel lines extending from each of the three visible sides of the belt buckle, terminating at the edge of the torso.

Draw Santa's sack of toys. Draw a wavy line beneath his hand to indicate the opening of the sack. Extend a long, curved line from his hand, looping over his shoulder and ending at the bottom of the figure. Draw a shorter curved line extending from the hand and over the shoulder. Erase guide lines as necessary.

Draw three short, curved lines extending from the bottom of the figure to outline the legs. Connect the lines using a scalloped line. Enclose the cuff of each leg using a scalloped line.

Draw Santa's boots. For each boot, extend a long curved line from the cuff to outline the bottom of the shoe, looping around to form the top of the shoe. Connect the top of the shoe to the cuff using a short line, and draw a line parallel to the bottom of the boot.

Draw Santa's other arm by extending a long curved line from the shoulder. Enclose an irregular circle to indicate the hand, and use a scalloped line to form the cuff. Erase guide lines as necessary.

Enclose the bottom of Santa's hat using a scalloped line.

Draw a circle to form the puffy ball at the end of the hat. Detail it with a few short, curved lines. Connect it to the brim of the hat using two long, curved lines.

Draw two curved lines between the portions of the mustache to indicate the mouth, and draw each eyebrow using two curved lines.

For each eye, draw a circle within a circle. Draw a tiny circle within each eye, and shade around it.

Color Santa. He is typically depicted wearing a red suit with white trim.
Printable Drawing Tutorial
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I am dirty artist but this guide helped me a lot with my school drawings and much more also improved my drawing skills thanks
Thanks a lot!!
Same! When I needed to make a Christmas story, this website helped me A LOT
🙂
Fantastic drawing trick . And I am inspired with this drawing and this is very helpful for all.
Thanks! 🙂
Thanks
wow i love the drwaing
santa is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat hohohohohohohohohoho
😆
Nice santa claus
Nice method
Thanks! 🙂
we are really enjoyed u r drawing ...easy steps to drawa santaclaus
🙂 🙂
badly good
😕 Would you like to draw it again? I bet it's going to look fantastic! 🙂
Super
Takker
Thanks! Happy to help. Glædelig jul.
Yeah!!!! Now I can complete my present to give to my uncle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great! Happy to help. 🙂
Nice
Always nice, never naughty. 😛
Thanks
🙂
Good
Thanks! 🙂 🙂
It helped me alot
Great! 🙂
thanks for help
🙂
Very good
🙂
Thank you
🙂
It helped me a lot.... nice trick to draw santa....
Thanks! 🙂
It is very easy
Thanks! 🙂
Thanks lot
Thanksalotuhelpec
very detailed, good!
Thanks! 🙂
Terrible
It seems that all the other people who drew this and commented don't think like you do, Has. Why do you say it's a bad drawing? 🙂
helpfull img [email protected]@@@@@@@@@@@
fatso!!! santa is fat boiii!!!!!!
Maybe from all those cookies? 😎
Nice!! It's very easy
Cool! 🙂
Awesome
Thanks! 😎
YAh "What she Said"
Thanks for this guide helped me out and it turned out great. Gonna stay here and draw more. 😀
That's the spirit! What's next on your Christmas & Winter drawing list? Maybe learn how to draw a snowman?