How to Draw a Leprechaun

The rascally leprechaun.

The mischievous leprechaun is famous for his tricky ways. He is a sprite hailing from Ireland. He has gained enormous popularity over the years as a symbol of good-hearted pranks and occasionally total debauchery. The leprechaun has made his wicked way into our hearts. He now appears on everything from beer mugs to billboards. You can now draw your very own sneaky leprechaun. Follow along and learn how to take basic shapes. Combine them to create a drawing of one of history's most mischievous little people, the leprechaun.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Black Ink Pen

Instructions

1. 

   Begin by drawing a very basic frame for the leprechaun. Draw a circle for the head and two upside down "L" shapes for the shoulders. Add a cross or "t" shape in the center of the head. On the cross, add two circles for the eyes and a big circle for his jolly nose.

2. 

   Create the hat for the leprechaun. Add a curved shape starting at the side of the head and coming around to the other side. Add the top of the leprechaun's hat by drawing a rectangular shape that is wider at the top than the bottom. Make the top side of this shape curved.

3. 

   Begin adding the details to the leprechaun. Add a buckle to his top hat by drawing a band across the hat. Now add a rectangle inside the band. Add pointed ears to the leprechaun by drawing triangles on the side of his have. Create eyebrows by drawing long thin triangles that come to a rough and jagged point.

4. Add and eyelid to his to the right side eye by drawing a curve above the eye circle. Make the mischievous leprechaun wink by drawing a curved line extending from his right side eye. Erase the eye circle on the right and leave only the wink.

5. Create nostrils by adding rounded shapes to the side of the leprechaun's nose. Add lines coming out from the top of the nostrils. Make the smile with a sideways "T" shape on the right side of the leprechaun's face.

6. Add the leprechaun's beard by drawing jagged lines around the inside of his face. Draw larger and thicker jagged lines around the outside of his face to complete the beard.

7. Draw the suit of the leprechaun with some simple lines and shapes. Draw the lapel of the suit with a jagged line extending from the outer beard on each side of the leprechaun. Complete the lapel with a straight line extending from the outer beard on each side.

8. Draw the vest of the leprechaun with two diagonal lines coming from the top side of the lapel. Add a straight line coming down on the left side. Draw two circles on the vest for buttons.

9. 

   Draw the final details of the leprechaun. Finish the buckle on the had by drawing a smaller rectangle around the inside of the buckle guideline. Add a small then horizontal rectangle extending from the side of the buckle. Add lines inside each ear.

10. Draw a curved line above the leprechaun's smile. Add eyelids with small curved lines above each eye. Draw small lines extending from the corner of each shoulder. Erase all the guidelines.

11. 

    Ink the entire drawing. Wait for the ink to dry. Erase all the pencil. Add shadows underneath the leprechaun's chin, buttons and the underside of his hat. Add shadows on each side of the buckle, the nostrils and under the nose. Now you have your own inked and completed mischievous leprechaun. You can make photocopies of this illustration for your friends to color in on St. Patrick's day or any time you need some good old fashioned shenanigans in your life.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to smudge the ink when you are erasing your pencil lines.

Resources

• History of the Leprechaun