The days before the Christmas break in the classroom can be challenging yet fun. Teach kids how to draw an elf in December or during winter break with this elf directed drawing lesson that is perfect for the classroom or to complete at home.
How to Draw an Elf
This directed drawing activity teaches children how to draw an elf. Drawing is essential for kids to learn for many reasons. It boosts a child’s memory, helps with fine motor skills, and allows them to see themselves as artists.
Directed drawing activities are convenient and engaging, keeping children entertained in the classroom and at home, especially during the holiday break. With just a few simple steps and minimal materials, teachers can provide an enjoyable experience with maximum value.
This elf drawing activity stands out as an excellent option, as it not only brings joy but also serves as a charming decoration for classroom or home walls. Additionally, it can complement writing activities, making it a versatile and beneficial choice for teachers.
Table of Contents
- How to Draw an Elf
- Directions for How to Draw an Elf: Directed Drawing
- Elf Drawing – Finishing Touches to the Directed Drawing
- How to Draw an Elf
- Christmas Activity Fun Pack
- Other Directed Drawings Activities and Tips
Materials for Elf Drawing
Just like the steps, the materials you need are simple! I love grabbing the art supplies in one place and having them on hand because so many directed drawings require the same easy-to-use materials.
Each child will need:
- white art paper
- a pencil
- an eraser
- a fine-black marker or Sharpie pen
- watercolor paints and a larger paintbrush (or your coloring materials of choice)
I suggest using thicker paper for painting because it can handle the water and shouldn’t tear if appropriately used.
Tips for How to Draw an Elf
When guiding children in this enjoyable elf drawing activity, there are a few suggestions to consider.
- Stand in a place for all to see clearly.
- Use a large easel, chart paper, or overhead projector to draw on if available.
- Kids sit at tables with their supplies.
- Take things slow and draw each step as you give verbal instructions. Alternatively, children can follow a set of visual step-by-step directions.
- Give kids plenty of time to follow along and ask questions.
You will have the most success if you model the lesson this way and take your time.
Directions for How to Draw an Elf: Directed Drawing
Below are the steps for the elf directed drawing lesson. All in all, breaking the directed drawing into two days may make it easier and allow enough time to ensure the drawings are done carefully.
Of course, don’t forget you can easily create wonderful parent gifts by laminating or framing these directed drawings!
Step 1:
Firstly, place a large white piece of paper in a vertical orientation. Once ready, draw a semi-circle with the opening of the circle at the top. This is the beginning stage of the head.
Step 2:
Secondly, draw two vertical lines at the bottom of the semi-circle about two inches apart. This creates the neck of the elf. Then, at the bottom of the page, draw two vertical lines a couple of inches apart to start the upper body of the elf.
Step 3:
After that, start creating the hat. Draw a horizontal line that curves upwards at the top of the head to connect the hat to the elf’s head. Then, draw a curved line at each end of the line that bends up and to the right. Do not connect the curved lines.
Step 4:
For the body, use the horizontal line connected to the elf’s neck and draw two curved lines down to the bottom on each end of the line, starting from under the chin. After that, add a squiggly line for the brim of the hat on the elf’s forehead and a circle at the top of the hat to connect the two curved lines.
Step 5:
For the face, draw two large circles with crescent moon-shaped on the inner left and right sides. Then, add little circles for the inner eye. Add a lowercase u shape between the eyes for a nose and draw a mouth. Finally, add two semi-circles to the side of the head for the inside of the ears.
Step 6:
Finally, draw the outside of the ears using two curved lines and connect them at a point. Add the extra details like the collar of the elf’s shirt, belt, and belt buckle.
Elf Drawing – Finishing Touches to the Directed Drawing
Furthermore, consider completing the activity over two days or periods.
On day one, complete the drawing and tracing of the elf with a black marker. Use a fine-point black marker or Sharpie pen to trace the elf’s lines. Erase the pencil lines with a good white eraser. Once you add paint, colored pencils, etc., the black lines will make the elf pop out of the paper!
On day two, paint. If children haven’t used watercolor paints before, it’s always best to demonstrate how to make proper brush strokes with a paintbrush and the water-to-paint ratio. Using a larger paintbrush instead of a small one is usually easier for younger kids.
- Use watercolor paints to paint the smaller details of the elf first.
- Use different green, red, black, and yellow.
- Next, paint the larger areas of the elf.
At this point, you can leave him on white paper or paint the background. Painting red strips in the background is fun and gives the piece a candy cane vibe! You could also cut out the elf and glue him to construction or other special paper.
Once everyone completes their elf, place them somewhere to dry completely. Don’t make the mistake of hanging them or putting them upright. Paint and water would drip down onto the pictures. Once dry, hang them up or create a fun bulletin board display for December.
How to Draw an Elf
Free Printable Elf Drawing Template
Not only will you receive an easy-to-follow elf directed drawing template, but students will also love the extra fun Christmas printable activities in this free pack.
Click the image below to sign up.
Christmas Activity Fun Pack
This Christmas Fun Pack by Proud to Be Primary is filled with no-prep worksheets, classroom group games, math activities, literacy, reading, poetry, a science experiment, and bulletin board posters. There are also two crafts to complete for your Christmas celebration or to complete at home over the holidays.
Other Directed Drawings Activities and Tips
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FREE Directed Drawing Email Series
Sign up for the directed drawing email series filled with tips to get you started, strategies for success, and tons of FREE tutorials you can access right away. Everything you need to build drawing confidence and have fun at the same time!
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