sailboat on water sketch

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• Drawing a boat

Drawing a Boat: techniques for placing your boat IN the water and getting the reflections right

Picture yourself standing on the dock, looking at a serene lake where a majestic sailboat gently rocks. You grab your pencil and paper, eager to capture the tranquility.

However, as you start drawing, your boat seems more perched on top of the water than floating in it.

Sound familiar? You're not alone!

Many artists find it challenging to depict a boat realistically in water.

I'll guide you through effective steps to draw realistic boat shapes, reflections, and ripples that will make anyone that looks at your art feel as if they are right there with you at the edge of the water.

Getting the shape right when drawing a boat

Many artists struggle to accurately depict the unique shapes and proportions of boats. The primary challenge is understanding how a boat's design varies with its intended environment.

River and lake boats have flatter bottoms and wider beams for stability on calm waters. In contrast, ocean-going vessels feature a narrower, more V-shaped hull to slice through waves and maintain balance in rough conditions.

Neglecting these distinctions can result in unrealistic drawings, with boats looking top-heavy or unstable.

In this section, we'll explore the fundamental principles that govern boat shapes, enabling you to create accurate and visually appealing boat drawings.

Drawing a River Boat Outline

Let's start by sketching a simple river boat outline, focusing on a design with gentle curves.

To ensure our boat is drawn with the correct perspective, we'll use a rectangular guideline box.

Begin by drawing the box in perspective, marking the centre line at the front and back. Then, draw the boat's shape within the box, which will help you achieve the correct curves and sides, as well as position the bow in the middle.

The two graphite sketches below demonstrate this approach, showcasing boats hauled up on a beach.

When drawing a boat in the water, the view will naturally differ.

By applying this technique, you'll be able to create a realistic and visually appealing river boat outline.

Drawing a Coastal Boat: Mastering the Curves

When it comes to drawing a coastal boat, the task becomes more complex due to the pronounced rise of the bows and the unique curves of the hull.

Unlike river boats, coastal boats have a more V-shaped hull, which creates complex problems for accurate drawing, especially when viewed from a side angle.

To tackle these challenges, we can use a clever technique to determine the correct curves of the hull.

Observe how the gunwale flows and how the curves appear to go in opposite directions on either side of the top of the boat. This shape can be described as a flattened figure eight.

Let's explore this concept further. By drawing a figure eight shape on its side and developing it into a boat, we can create a versatile outline that can be adapted to various views.

In Figure A , we start with the basic outline of the flat figure eight. With practice, you'll find that most shapes of "eight" will produce a suitable top outline for the boat hull.

Next, we can decide on the orientation of the bows and stern. In Figure B , I've positioned the bows to the right.

Then, we can choose whether the boat is facing towards us ( Figure C ) or away from us ( Figure D ). By erasing and adding lines strategically, we can create different views of the boat while maintaining accuracy.

To demonstrate this versatility, I've used the same figure eight outline to create an alternative hull shape in Figure E , showcasing how this technique can be adapted to draw a boat facing in a different direction.

Remember, the drawn figure eight shape is only a guide; don't be afraid to deviate from it as you refine your drawing.

The goal is to master those difficult opposing curves along the top edges. Once you've added your finishing lines, any surplus drawn lines can be erased.

Clinker Built Boats: Traditional vs Modern

As we explore the world of boat drawing, it's essential to understand the differences between traditional clinker built vessels and their modern counterparts. When drawing a boat, it's not just about capturing its shape, but also its construction and history.

Traditional clinker built boats, like "Rona" and the two boats at Whitby, feature overlapping planks of wood that follow the curves of the hull. This unique construction method creates a distinct visual appeal.

In contrast, modern boat building has introduced glass reinforced plastic (GRP) boats that mimic the look of traditional clinker built vessels, but are created from a full-sized mould.

On the other hand, many river and shallow water boats have smooth, surfaced outside hulls, often built from sheet ply or GRP. While these boats may lack the artistic interest of traditional clinker built vessels, understanding their construction and design is critical for creating accurate and visually appealing drawings.

Drawing boats in water: The importance of displacement and reflections

When drawing a boat in water, it's essential to remember that boats move through and sit in the water, not on top of it.

To create a realistic piece of art, you need to understand the importance of displacement and how to capture accurate water reflections and ripples.

Understanding displacement

Observe how the weight of the boat and its occupants affects its displacement in the water.

The foreground boat in the example is low due to the weight of the two fishermen and their nets and tackle. Notice how this displacement creates a curve at the waterline, which is more pronounced when viewed from a lower angle.

Your perspective will influence the curvature of the hull, with a higher vantage point resulting in a more pronounced curve.

Capturing realistic water reflections and ripples

We have added an extra page with photographs and information about drawing reflections. 

Accurate water reflections and ripples are crucial when drawing a boat on water.

Understanding how to depict these elements will help you create a more realistic piece of art.

The angle of view: A key to reflections

When observing a still water surface from above, you'll see either the bottom or a reflection of the sky and surroundings.

At an angle of approximately 45 degrees, you can see a gradual shift from seeing into the water's depth to observing its reflective surface.

Ripples and their impact on reflections

Slight waves alter the viewing angle,  altering the water's appearance between light and dark.

Angles sharper than 45 degrees generally result in a darker appearance, while angles greater than 45 degrees make it look lighter.

This interplay results in the varied light and dark patterns seen on rippled water surfaces.

Reflections and Moving Objects

When drawing a boat reflected in the water, calculations become more complex.

The boat’s movement, weight, and wake affect how reflections are cast on the water.

External factors such as weather conditions and the width of the waterway also play roles in how these reflections distribute across the surface.

Usually, we see the image on the left below, but the image is often broken up by the varied surface angles. Sometimes we see the picture on the right, where the reflected image in the water is also broken up. The theory predicts the picture on the left, but in practice the picture on the right is more often seen.

Things to Keep in Mind When Drawing Reflections

When drawing reflections in water, it's essential to consider the factors that can affect the reflected image.

There is a section of broken water near to the large rock in the sketch above and that breaks up the reflection.

One common mistake is measuring the reflection from the edge of the broken water. This can lead to an inaccurate representation of the reflection.

In this example need to measure the equal distance from the base of the rock so our reflection in the calm water only shows the top of the large rock. The small rock is on the edge of the calm water so all the reflected image is shown.

When ripples occur, they can disrupt our calculations and make the reflected image appear longer than the original.

This happens because the wave-like structure of the water is picking up the reflection over a larger distance, similar to the drawing on the right.

Factors affecting reflections

The angle of the water can also impact the width of the reflected image.

When drawing reflections, it's essential to consider these factors to create an accurate representation.

By taking the time to understand how reflections work and how to draw them accurately, you can add depth and realism to your artwork.

Ready to Set Sail?

Congratulations for reading this far. By now you may feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information and techniques I’ve shared.

However, to become adept at boat drawing, just take it one step at a time.

Start by practicing the simple river boat outline exercise, focusing on getting the shape and proportions right.

Remember, the goal is to create a visually appealing and accurate depiction of a boat.

By taking this first step, you'll build confidence and lay the foundation for more complex drawings. So, grab your pencil and paper, and set sail on your artistic journey!

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How to Draw a Boat – An Easy and Realistic Boat Drawing Tutorial

Ahoy there! You are invited on an exciting voyage of artistic discovery today as we learn how to draw a ship, much like those used for the first around-the-world trips. We break this quite complex boat down into very easy-to-follow steps, making this tutorial suitable for artists of any level. If you are ready to set sail, gather your supplies and let us jump right in!

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Step 1: Shape the Main Body of the Boat Sketch
• 1.2 Step 2: Outline Some Details
• 1.3 Step 3: Draw the Sails
• 1.4 Step 4: Add In the Railing and Ropes
• 1.5 Step 5: Draw the Ocean and the Oars
• 1.6 Step 6: Create Texture Within Your Realistic Boat Drawing
• 1.7 Step 7: Add Some Light Texture to the Waves
• 1.8 Step 8: Begin Coloring the Wood of Your Boat Sketch
• 1.9 Step 9: Color the Sails
• 1.10 Step 10: Add Some Color to the Ocean
• 1.11 Step 11: Start Contouring Your Boat Drawing
• 1.12 Step 12: Continue Shading Your Boat Sketch
• 1.13 Step 13: Start Shading the Sails
• 1.14 Step 14: Darken the Shading on the Sails
• 1.15 Step 15: Apply Highlights To Your Drawing of a Boat
• 1.16 Step 16: Create Three-Dimensions in the Water
• 1.17 Step 17: Highlight the Ocean Waves
• 1.18 Step 18: Finishing Your Boat Drawing
• 2.1 How to Make Boat Drawing Easy?
• 2.2 What Colors Do You Need for a Drawing of a Boat?

Step-by-Step Realistic Boat Drawing Tutorial

You can see from the main image that the boat sketch we are going to do today is quite complex. There are many small details and tricky elements, but we have tried to make boat drawing easy for all artists. We begin the tutorial with several simple steps that help us to build up the final shape of the boat drawing. We then begin to add the smaller details, before using color to bring our boat drawing to life.

You can see an outline of the different steps in the collage below. 

Most of the realism in our drawing of a boat comes from the coloring steps. Whenever you begin learning how to draw a new subject, we find it best to use a coloring medium that you feel most comfortable with. Whether you are a digital artist or prefer physical mediums, you can simply adjust the instructions to suit your needs. If you are using a physical medium, like paint, we suggest using a light pencil for the initial construction and outlining steps. For digital mediums, use a separate layer for these steps. 

If you are ready to dive right in, find somewhere comfortable to sit, and let us begin!

Step 1: Shape the Main Body of the Boat Sketch

We are going to begin our boat drawing by creating the basic shape of the hull. Start by finding the central point of your drawing area, and begin drawing the long curved shape. The shape is like a canoe, with a curve up and in on either end. 

Step 2: Outline Some Details

We are now going to begin adding some smaller details. Begin on the far left end of the boat sketch, drawing a curving canopy shape. Add a small narrow band around the base of the boat drawing below this canopy, and then add a small tear-drop shape in the front point of the boat. 

You can also add a small rope-like protrusion from the front (right side).   

Step 3: Draw the Sails

In this step, we are going to draw the main sail and the front sail of our boat sketch. Begin with the main sail, a large curving rectangle above the middle part of the boat. You can then draw a long mast behind this sail, extending from the base of the boat and up above the top of the sail. You can then draw a smaller and more angled sail above the front bow of the boat. 

Again, you can draw the mast which should be angled towards the right side of your canvas and extend slightly above the sail.   

Step 4: Add In the Railing and Ropes

There are two main objectives for this step. Firstly, we are going to draw the railing of the deck, and then we are going to add the sail ropes. Let us begin with the barrier, starting with a curving shape that extends along most of the length of the boat. Then, using equally spaced lines, create several support beams. To complete this step, you are going to add the ropes for the sail. Begin by adding a bar along the top of each sail, and then draw several ropes that extend from the top of the masts to each corner of the sails. 

You can also draw some ropes that join the sails to the deck of the boat. 

Step 5: Draw the Ocean and the Oars

We are now going to add some context to your boat drawing. Begin by creating some gentle ocean waves around the base of the boat drawing. You can then draw some oars that extend from the side of the ship down into these waves. Generally, the oars should be facing backward, but you can create some variation in their angles for additional realism. 

Step 6: Create Texture Within Your Realistic Boat Drawing

Things are starting to get exciting now. At this stage, we have the basic elements of our boat drawing complete, and we also have some of the finer details. We are now going to add some textural details to the sails and bow. Let us begin with the sails, using some fine horizontal and vertical lines to create a series of blocks. 

Within these blocks, add some fine texture lines to emphasize the three-dimensionality. 

Next, using fine and long strokes that follow the shape of the bow, create some wooden plank details. Create texture within these planks, and use fine lines to add more texture where you think it is necessary. As a final detailed touch, draw a wooden eye on the front of the boat sketch. 

Step 7: Add Some Light Texture to the Waves

We are now going to add some final texture to our sketch before we begin using color. Within the shape of the waves, create some fine arched lines that represent a realistic ocean wave texture. 

Step 8: Begin Coloring the Wood of Your Boat Sketch

In order to create our realistic boat drawing, we are going to build the color up gradually. In this step, we are going to add a base coat of color to the wooden parts of our boat sketch. Use a regular paintbrush and a light brown shade of paint for this.

Fill the base of the boat with an even coat of color, and then move on to the masts. 

Step 9: Color the Sails

We are now going to complete our base color coat by coloring the sails. Use a regular paintbrush and a light shade of cream paint to carefully color the main sail and the front sail. 

Step 10: Add Some Color to the Ocean

Let us now move on to the ocean, using some light blue paint to fill in the waves surrounding the base of your boat drawing. 

Step 11: Start Contouring Your Boat Drawing

Now that we have the base colors down, we are going to begin adding more structure. For this step, you are going to need a small blending brush and a touch of black paint. Begin to add some definitions between the panels of wood on the side of your boat drawing. You can also add some shading to the masts, the oars, and the back curve of your ship. 

Tip: When using black for contouring or shading, always begin very lightly and darken as you need to. Black is almost impossible to remove once you have applied it.   

Step 12: Continue Shading Your Boat Sketch

We are now going to continue shading our drawing of a boat with a slightly finer tough. Use a sharp detailing brush and some black paint to add some fine shading along the details on the side of your boat. This will include things like shading around the eye, between each of the planks of wood, and within the canopy. 

Step 13: Start Shading the Sails

Let us now move on to the sails. With a blending brush and the same brown that you used as the base coat for the boat, create a gentle blend of color up the sails. The bottom and sides of the sails should be slightly darker, and blend smoothly into the lighter cream color at the top. 

Tip: For an extra smooth transition, you can use a clean blending brush to carefully all of these colors together. 

Step 14: Darken the Shading on the Sails

As we did with the body of our boat drawing, we are now going to add more detailed shadows to the sails. With a small blending brush and some dark grey paint, add shadows on top of the textured areas. The grey shading should mostly be focused around the pleats in the sails, around the edges, and above the texture lines. 

Step 15: Apply Highlights To Your Drawing of a Boat

The last few steps have focused on creating darkness within our boat drawing. We are now going to begin to contrast these shadows with a  touch of highlighting. With a blending brush and some white paint, begin by creating a faded highlight on the lightest areas of the sails. Then, with a more detailed brush and white paint, apply highlights to the areas of the boat that are most likely to catch the light. These areas include the top of the canopy, the top of the masts, the railing, and on top of the ores. 

Tip: When creating highlights, it is easiest to pick a light source. You can then imagine where the light would hit from that angle.   

Step 16: Create Three-Dimensions in the Water

We are now going to shift our focus to creating structure within the waves. With a small blending brush and a touch of black paint, apply some light shading along the edges of the water. You can shade beneath the wave lines that you drew previously, giving the impression of moving water. 

Step 17: Highlight the Ocean Waves

Just before we finish our realistic boat drawing, we are going to add a few spots of highlight to the water surface. Use a small blending brush and some white paint to apply short strokes of light onto the water surface. 

Step 18: Finishing Your Boat Drawing

In this last step, we are going to add some final spots of water spray and then remove the outline. Begin by using a small blending brush and some white paint to create some realistic water splashes against the side of the boat. You can then remove the dark outline form your boat drawing, leaving you with a seamlessly realistic sketch. Use a fine detailing brush and the corresponding color at each point of the outline to carefully trace over it. You can do the same for any inner texture lines. 

We really hope you have enjoyed your voyage of discovery today! As with all of our drawing tutorials , we hope that we have made boat drawing easy for artists of any levels. You now know how to draw a ship of any kind, following the same basic process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make boat drawing easy.

Learning how to draw a ship can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, we make it really easy by breaking the process down into easy-to-follow steps. We begin with simple shapes, creating the basic outline of our boat sketch. We then build up a realistic boat drawing by using color to create detail and dimension. 

What Colors Do You Need for a Drawing of a Boat?

You only need a few basic colors for this easy and realistic boat drawing. Firstly, you will need several different shades of brown , including one very light cream and a slightly darker shade. You will then also need white, black, and grey for the contouring, Finally, you will need a sea blue shade for the ocean waves around the base of your boat. 

Matthew Matthysen is an educated multidisciplinary artist and illustrator. He successfully completed his art degree at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, majoring in art history and contemporary drawing. The focus of his thesis was to explore the philosophical implications of the macro and micro-universe on the human experience. Matthew uses diverse media, such as written and hands-on components, to explore various approaches that are on the border between philosophy and science.

Matthew organized various exhibitions before and during his years as a student and is still passionate about doing so today. He currently works as a freelance artist and writer in various fields. He also has a permanent position at a renowned online gallery (ArtGazette) where he produces various works on commission. As a freelance artist, he creates several series and successfully sells them to galleries and collectors. He loves to use his work and skills in various fields of interest.

Matthew has been creating drawing and painting tutorials since the relaunch in 2020. Through his involvement with artincontext.org, he has been able to deepen his knowledge of various painting mediums. For example, watercolor techniques, calligraphy and lately digital drawing, which is becoming more and more popular.

Learn more about Matthew Matthysen and the Art in Context Team .

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4 Easy Ways to Draw a Boat

Last Updated: April 6, 2023

• Traditional Ship
• Wooden Boat

Things You'll Need

This article was co-authored by Kelly Medford . Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art. This article has been viewed 384,499 times.

Want to go sailing but don't have a boat? Don't sweat over it. Chill out and follow this tutorial to learn how to draw a kayak, draw a yacht, draw a rowboat, and draw a sailing ship. If you want to draw a boat, draw an imaginary one or copy a picture from a book or online image.

Note: follow the red line for each step.

Things You Should Know

• Start by drawing the outline of the boat using basic shapes and guidelines.
• Add details to your drawing, like sails, masts, and siding.
• Clean up your drawing by erasing any guidelines.

Drawing a Sailboat

Drawing a Kayak

Drawing a Traditional Ship

Drawing a Realistic Style Wooden Boat

Community Q&A

• Learning to draw is really about learning to see. Study boats each day and draw them until you can get them as close as you can to the real objects you're observing. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
• To get better at drawing, make sure to practice blind contour drawings observing objects and people. Do not worry about the results, as the idea is to train your eye to slow down and to work in tandem with your hand. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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About This Article

One way to draw a boat is by sketching a sailboat. Start by making the outline of a trapezoid to sketch the main body of the boat. Then, draw a smaller trapezoid in the middle of the boat, with a long line running perpendicular to the body of the boat. Next, draw a right triangle off of the right side of the line, and another, slightly smaller triangle off of the right side of the line. You can make the body of the boat 3-dimensional if you’d like. Once you have the basic shapes, trace the outline and erase the extra pencil marks before filling it in with color. If you want to learn how to draw other kinds of boats, such as a canoe or kayak, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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EasyLineDrawing

Easy & Fun Drawing Tutorials for Beginners

How to Draw A Boat Step by Step

This tutorial shows how to draw a sail boat in nine steps with detailed illustrated examples and easy to follow instructions.

The sail boat used in this example is fairly modern and also fairly simple with just two sails. You can see a preview of what the final drawing as well as the different steps look like in the image above.

Start the tutorial using a pencil and make light lines that you can easily erase in case you happen to make a mistake. You can darken them later with a black pen/marker. You may also want to have some colored pencils/paints if you wish to color the drawing afterwards.

Step 1 – Draw the Boat Hull

Start by drawing the hull of the boat as shown in the example. Before you begin be sure to leave enough room at the top of your page/drawing area for the mast/sails.

All you need to outline the hall are just three slightly curved lines, one for the front, one for the top and one for the back.

Leave the bottom out as it will be submerged in water. Also be sure to draw the front slightly raised.

Step 2 – Draw the Surrounding Water

Add a wavy line along the bottom of the hull of the boat to show the water ripples around it and add the horizon line on each end of the boat slightly above that for the horizon. Unlike the water ripples around the hull this line can be straight.

Step 3 – Draw the Cabin

Sticking out from about the middle of the hull add the cabin. Draw it with a flat top, give it a slope on the front and a steeper slope at the back.

Step 4 – Draw the Mast

Going up from the top of the cabin draw the mast. Make it a straight pole with another part attached near it’s bottom and pointing backwards (the boom).

Step 5 – Draw the Sails

Draw the sails with the front one curved slightly forward but leave a little bit of room between it and the mast and front tip of the boat (there will be ropes tying it to those places added in the next step). Afterwards draw the back sail attacked directly to the mast and the boom. You can simply draw one very lightly curved line between these two to show it.

Finally you can also add a flag at the top of the mast pointing forward with a slightly fold to show that it’s blowing in the wind.

Step 6 – Draw the Ropes

Draw the ropes tying the front sail to the mast and the bow (front tip of the ship). Next draw another rope going down form the boom to the hull.

Step 7 – Draw the Windows

Draw some windows on the cabin as shown in the example. You can make the two in the middle rectangular in shape (also give them slightly rounded corners). The one in the front should look like it’s cut-off by the front of the cabin. The back end of the back window should be angled to match that end of the cabin. Also try and space the windows to have the same distance between each of them.

Step 8 – Finish the Line Drawing

Add more water ripples below the big wavy line at the bottom of the hull. Make the waves larger near the bottom of the drawing and smaller near the boat. This will add a bit of perspective making it look like the picture has some depth.

After you finish drawing the water go over your lines with either a black pen or marker. Alternatively you can simply darken the them with a pencil.

Step 9 – Color the Boat

Finally you can color the boat as well as the water/sky. It may be a good idea to use either water based paints or colored pencils to do this. Markers can be a little too bright.

Add the colors as follows:

• Yellow cabin
• Blue windows
• Light yellow sails
• Green/blue water
• Light blue sky

You can of course use a different colors for the boat if you prefer.

This tutorial shows how you can draw a sail boat without needing to go into too many small details or complex shading. By adding the most important parts and using a good combination of colors you can have a drawing that is simple but also looks nice.

For more similar tutorials also see:

• How to Draw an Anchor Step by Step
• How to Draw a Cartoon Car in 12 Steps
• How to Draw an Airplane Step by Step
• How to Draw a House Step by Step
• How to Draw a Light Bulb Step by Step
• How to Draw a Mobile Phone Step by Step
• How to Draw a Sports Car (12 Steps)

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How To Draw a Sailboat

Learn the art of drawing a sailboat with easy step-by-step instructions. Sail away into creativity and master the seas on paper!

Ahoy, young artists! Embark on a thrilling artistic journey as we unveil a step-by-step guide on how to draw a sailboat.

Join us on a creative voyage, perfect for kids of all ages, as we navigate through simple and fun techniques to bring a charming sailboat to life on paper. So, grab your pencils and set sail into the world of imagination and artistry!

Don't miss our other transportation fun including our Airplane Drawing , Submarine Drawing , and School Bus Drawing .

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Enter your email below, and then we'll send it straight to your inbox.  Plus get awesome new projects from us each week.

Sailboat Drawing

Drawing a sailboat can be super fun! It's like going on an exciting adventure with your art. First, imagine your perfect sailing ship – fast and sleek or a cool pirate ship. Then, you use a pencil to draw it on paper.

As you sketch the boat's shape and sails, you feel the joy of creating something amazing. It's like being the captain of your own artistic journey, where every stroke of the pencil guides you to a masterpiece.

But the fun doesn't stop there! You can make your sailboat unique. Add bright colors to the sails and create a beautiful ocean background with waves.

Don't forget the details that make it special. Draw friendly sea creatures or brave sailors on board. Your sailboat could be on a daring treasure hunt!

There are no right or wrong ways to draw a sailboat. It's all about letting your imagination go wild and having fun. Try different styles and art materials like watercolors or colored pencils.

Drawing a sailboat lets you explore your creativity and express yourself.

Check out these other Boat Crafts!

Paper Plate Boat

Origami Boat

Juice Box Boat Craft

Pirate Ship Craft

Benefits of Drawing

Drawing is a fantastic activity for kids that comes with many benefits. When you draw, you get to show off your creative ideas and feelings. It helps you improve your small hand movements, like holding a pencil or doing other tasks.

Drawing also makes your eyes and hands work together better. When you draw things around you, it helps you notice details and shapes more. This allows your brain to become better at solving problems.

Drawing can also help you feel better emotionally. It lets you express your feelings in a safe and fun way. You feel proud and more confident when you practice drawing and get better at it. It's like solving a puzzle!

When you draw, you need to focus and be patient. It teaches you how to keep trying even if something is tricky. Drawing can also teach you about different cultures and history. You can draw things from different places and times, and it helps you learn more about the world.

Drawing can be a social thing, too. You can draw with your friends and share your ideas. It's a great way to connect with others.

So, have fun drawing! It's not just about making pretty pictures – it's about growing your skills, understanding yourself, and having a great time with your friends! Grab your art supplies and start drawing.

Drawing of Sailboat Easy

Learning to draw is always fun for drawers of any age. We love breaking down each of the drawings into a step-by-step guide. I also think having the printable drawing guide helps in making the easy drawings come to life.

If you love drawing tutorials as much as we do, then you will not want to miss some of our other  fun drawing lessons .

• Butterfly Drawing
• Rose Drawing
• Dragon Drawing
• Airplane Drawing
• Frog Drawing
• Crown Drawing

Before you start drawing, we also want to make sure you have the right tools. Here are the  drawing paper , and  drawing pencils  that we like to use.

The drawing is a cartoon sailboat and gives a basic idea of a sailboat sketch. You can later add more details to it and color it. Your kids will have a few good practice times, and soon they’ll be drawing boats like a pro!

Get your free printable tutorial now, and help your kids grow artistically! Grab a sheet of paper and a pencil and let's start drawing.

Drawing the Sail

The first step is to the bottom frame of the sail. Draw a straight line as the bottom of the sail. Then a curved line like a wide m shape with the left curved line slightly smaller than the second.

Next, draw a leaf shape in the v portion from the previous step. Add a straight line under the bottom of the sail.

Next step, draw a curved line from the bottom line around the outside up to the point of the leaf shape. Draw one on each side of the sails creating a full shape of the sail. Then draw two horizontal lines under the sail as the top of the boat.

In the next step, draw a line through the bottom of the sail through the leaf shape, and out the top. Draw a small curvy line off the top and a small horizontal line between the top of the boat and the sail. Add a small curved line on both the front sail and back sail to add stripes to the sail. Then draw wavy lines under the top of the boat as the water.

Drawing the Body of the Sailboat

Draw a curved line as the bottom of the boat from each side of the boat down into the water. Then draw two slightly diagonal lines from the small horizontal line between the top of the boat and the sail down towards the top of the boat body creating a trapezoid shape as the top of the boat or helm. Draw a small curved line to complete the flag at the top of the sailboat.

Lastly, add the final details of the boat. Small details like three small circles on the boat body. Add two rectangles inside the helm.

The last step is to go over your drawing with a dark marker and then color in your sailboat. I love the idea of using basic colors.

Happy Drawing!

We highlighted this Boat Drawing along with some other fun kid's crafts in our  Summer Crafts  along with our 101+ Easy Craft Ideas for kids .

You also do not want to miss our 101+ Coloring Pages  and 101+ Printables full of Crafts and Coloring Pages.

Fun Summer Crafts For Kids

Here are some other fun Summer Crafts that you are sure to enjoy!

• Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder
• Paper Weaving
• Popsicle Tissue Paper Craft
• Cactus Craft

Download Sailboat Simple Steps Tutorial

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How to Draw a Sailboat

• Sailboat Drawing Tutorial
• Drawing Pencils

Instructions

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HOW TO DRAW A SAILBOAT

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How to Draw Boats

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How to Draw Sailboats

Sailboats travel far and wide, exploring the ocean and seeking out tropical locales. Use our step-by-step instructions to create your own sailboat scenes.

In this section, we'll show you how to draw the above sailboat. Either draw it freehand while looking at your computer monitor or print out this page to get a closer look at each step.

Follow the red lines in each illustration to learn exactly what to draw in that step. The lines drawn in previous steps are shown in gray. Here, we'll show you an illustration of each step and then give you a description of how to draw it.

Step 1: Start the sailboat with two big curved triangles for the sails. Add a pointed shape for the hull.

Step 2: Draw a curved line to form the side of the hull. Sketch a rectangle with a rounded end for the seating area. Add a fat bracket shape on top of it.

Step 3: Draw the mast between the sails. Add edge lines following the hull. Sketch a V-shape bar to create deck detail, and add lines for depth in the seating area. Draw a small post on the front of the boat.

Step 4: Add rectangular crossbars at the bottom of both sails. Draw detail lines on the V shape and in the seating space. Add detail lines to each sail.

Step 5: Draw wavy lines under the boat for the water.

Step 6: Use a felt-tip pen to trace the lines you want to keep. Erase any extra pencil lines.

Explore the ocean's depths with our next drawing project. On the following page, learn to draw a submarine.

Want more help learning to draw? See:

• How to Draw
• How to Draw People
• How to Draw Dinosaurs
• How to Draw Flowers and Plants
• How to Draw Faces
• How to Draw Cartoons
• How to Draw Animals
• How to Draw Planes
• How to Draw Trains
• How to Draw Cars

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Let's Draw Today

Learn How to Draw, One Step at a Time

How to Draw a Boat on a Lake on a Cloudy Day

Great landscape drawings often have elements of nature as well as man-made elements. That is one reason why pictures such as these make great drawing subjects . Such is the case for anyone who wants to draw a boat on a lake.

Of course, you have to know how to draw the man-made mechanics of the boat. Then, you have to know how to draw the lake and all of its reflections, not to mention the sky and any plant and animal wildlife surrounding the lake.

If you want to know more about drawing boats and lakes, then you are in luck! In this tutorial, we will combine the two of them into one drawing as I show you how to draw a small boat on a lake.

Table of Contents

Use a Reference Photo of a Boat on a Lake

I’ll use this picture as my reference photo to guide me as I draw. It is a picture taken from Albufera Natural Park just south of Valencia, Spain. I guess Albufera technically has a lagoon rather than a lake . However, I think it’s close enough to a lake for our drawing purposes! Although this picture shows ten birds and a family in the boat, I will be drawing fewer birds and just one person in the boat.

You can use the same concepts you learn from this tutorial and apply them to drawing similar landscapes with boats and lakes. As someone who didn’t know a lot about boats before drawing this picture (I still don’t know much really), I found the reference photo to be very helpful in drawing the various parts of the boat. I even learned a few new boat terms that I will be using throughout the tutorial!

Materials Used for This Drawing

Here is a list of the materials I am using for this drawing.

If you don’t have some of these materials, that’s okay. You can still make do with what you have or try to improvise if necessary, as long as you just get started!

If you wish to purchase any of these materials, they can be found at your local art store, or you can buy them using the links below.

Affiliate Disclaimer: The links below are affiliate links. I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made through one of these links. Learn more here.

• Sheet of drawing paper
• Sheet of folded paper to prevent smudging
• HB, 2B, and 4B graphite pencils
• Kneaded eraser
• Plastic eraser
• Dusting brush
• Blending stump
• Eraser pencil

How to Draw a Boat on a Lake Video Tutorial

You can watch the time-lapse video version of this tutorial below. Watch it once all the way through to get a sense of the overall process. Then watch a second time and draw along with me, pausing as needed.

Draw a Basic Outline of the Lake and Boat

Start by drawing a slightly wiggly horizontal line for the shoreline. I’m using an HB pencil for this. Make sure to make these first guidelines light. Then sketch the tops of the tall grass. Don’t sketch this line too far away from the first one.

Sketch the basic outline of the boat’s hull. First, sketch a horizontal line in the lake. Then draw the top of the hull with a sharp curve upward for the bow, or front, of the boat. Keep the bow aligned with the top of the grass.

Draw a line under the top edge of the boat’s hull. This line should maintain the same curvature as the edge. The top of the bow here should not be curved back so much, so I’m going to make it more vertical. After that, draw the metal piece at the tip of the bow.

Sketch the outline of the inside of the boat. Since there is an upward curve to the boat, we see only a small sliver of the inside. We’ll add more details to the inside and the stern, or rear of the boat, later on.

Draw Landscape Features Surrounding the Lake

Next, use a very light touch to sketch an outline of the clouds. You can create the appearance of a cloudy day by sketching the outline of the negative space between the clouds. Sketch thick and thin shapes across the sky.

To shade the sky and clouds, fill in the outlined shapes with graphite. This will represent the sky, and all of the white areas are clouds. Next, smooth out the graphite with a blending stump while preserving the white clouds. Then, use small, circular strokes with an eraser pencil along the bottom edge of the clouds. You can better define some of the edges with extra shading in the sky if necessary.

To draw the tall grass along the lake’s shoreline, first use horizontal strokes to shade along and just above the shore. Then, use short vertical marks to create a base layer of shading for the grass. Use the guideline to determine the height of the grass. The left side should be taller since it is closer to us in the foreground. Add another layer of grass and shading for more detail, especially with the grass in the foreground. You can use a 2B and even a 4B for extra shadows. Sketch tiny specks near the top of the grass.

Draw an Outline of the Mast and Boom

I decided I wanted to make the upward slope of my boat a little higher. Additionally, this is an excellent time to erase guidelines inside the boat. Our boat has several ropes connected to its spars. Sketch a rope near the bow. Then sketch ropes from the sides of the boat that meet at a point above.

Sketch a line connecting the ropes. I’ll refer to these horizontal spars as the boom. Near the middle of the boat, sketch a vertical guideline for the mast. Use a ruler to make the vertical guideline straight. Then make the other side of the mast, gradually converging at the top.

Along the horizontal guideline, sketch the two spars that make up the boom. There’s a slight curve to these, so I’m choosing to not use my ruler. Each one roughly begins with a curved end where the ropes meet and tapers almost to a tip at the other end.

There are several straps connecting these two spars. Draw them so they overlap the lines for both spars. Draw them with a slight curve to show that they wrap around. In addition, make sure to place straps where the ropes meet the spars.

Shade the Boom and the Mast

Now let’s add some shading to the boom. Shade between the straps from the previous steps. Try to keep the edges a little darker than inside the lines. With a kneaded eraser , carefully erase the guidelines inside the straps. After that, touch up the edges of the straps with a pencil, then lightly shade inside each of the straps. Finish up the boom spars by using a 4B pencil to put shadows along the edges of each spar. Place some shadows along the straps as well.

At the top of the mast, draw a little circle and two curved lines to represent one of the pulleys found here. Then put a little shading on each side.

With a ruler and a 2B pencil, darken the outline of the mast. Then, since sunlight is coming from the left, shade the right side of the mast. Now, I’m drawing a couple of little disk-like shapes to represent the other pulleys or connections found along the mast. I don’t need too much detail here. Using the ruler, draw ropes very close and parallel to the mast.

We are almost finished with the outline of the boat. We still need to add a few more ropes and some details to the stern and the inside. Oh yeah, we need a sailor too!

Draw Ropes and Extra Details to the Boat’s Outline

Use the ruler again to draw straight lines representing ropes going from the boom to the top of the mast. One line should connect on the boom near the front of the boat where the two ropes form a triangle. The other line should originate from the boom near the back of the boat.

Draw a short strip of rope hanging from the rear of the boom. Then, we’ll do some preliminary defining of the ropes by darkening their outlines. We will thicken these lines to make them look more like ropes soon enough.

I’ll devote the next few steps to adding some details to the hull of the boat before we get into shading. First, I’m sharpening the outline of the bow. Next, the stern of the boat should be pointy rather than flat.

Now, sketch a few basic shapes that make up the various things we can see inside the boat. A kneaded eraser can get rid of any stray guidelines. Then there is this little structure sticking up at the very back of the stern. Perhaps it is the tiller. Drawing some thin rectangle shapes will do the trick.

Add Details to the Inside of the Boat

Okay, now let’s draw a sailor in the boat. I’m doing this by erasing a spot for him and then starting to sketch a basic outline of the face. Then, I’m sketching some indications of a jacket and a cap. Now add some shading to the sailor. Keep it basic and suggestive.

Next, shade the objects on the inside of the boat. Put more shading on the right since the sunlight is coming from the opposite direction. Thicken the ropes by drawing a thin line parallel to each line already present. Draw two short ropes near the man and a longer rope near the bow. Draw two additional lines running the length of the hull near the top.

Shade the Boat

Lightly shade the hull of the boat. Use horizontal strokes that also follow the upward curvature of the hull. Use a kneaded eraser to erase a thin strip at the front of the boat. Then shade beside the strip to sharpen its edge. Extend the edge up the top of the bow.

Use the side of your pencil to shade the stains going down the side of the boat. Make them thicker at the top and tapering near the bottom. Use the tip of your pencil to sharpen a few of the edges. Then, outline the overlap along the side of the hull.

Put dark shading along the top of the boat’s hull. Be careful when shading around the ropes. Keep your pencil marks between the lines as you shade along the boat. Make the shading just under the rim even darker for a cast shadow.

Continue shading the top rim of the hull. Keep the top rim a slightly lighter value than the dark part just below it. Use outlines to distinguish the black part of the hull from the white part underneath.

Draw Birds in the Sky

I’m going to use a sharp 4B pencil to draw the birds in the sky. Because the birds are far away, a silhouette for each bird is all that is needed. Just draw a pointy shape for each wing and the body in the middle. The reference photo gives ideas as to the shape, size, and positioning of the birds and their wings. I’m drawing five birds in all rather than the ten birds in the reference photo.

Begin Drawing Reflections in the Lake

Now that the boat and sky are complete, it’s time to work on the lake. The lake is often an eye-catching element of a landscape drawing, such as it is in this mountain landscape . Therefore, we want to do it justice. You can use the following general and easy steps for any lake drawing you wish to create after this one.

For the ripples on the far side of the lake, draw a few short horizontal marks. Then rub a blending stump over the ripples. In the foreground of the lake underneath the boat, sketch an outline of the boat’s reflection. Use your pencil to make sure features of the boat line up with features of its reflection to draw a mirror image in the water. However, the outline of this mirror image does not need to be perfect. Then shade the outline of the boat’s reflection. In addition, shade the reflection of the grass in the foreground. Use a blending stump to pull the tones straight down from the shoreline and boat and into the lake.

Finish Drawing the Lake

Now that we have drawn the reflections in the water, we can add other details to the lake. Begin by drawing horizontal lines where the base of the hull makes ripples in the water. Then blur the tones with a blending stump.

Outline the shoreline in the foreground to better define and distinguish the grass from its reflection in the lake. Since there are already a lot of dark values here, I’m using a 4B pencil to make my marks stand out. Put a little more shadow in the grass if necessary. Then lightly blend the outline of the shore.

Since the shoreline on the other side of the boat is farther away, it doesn’t need as much detail. Therefore, I’m just outlining the shoreline, putting a tiny bit more shading in the grass, and shading under the grass for the reflection.

Using graphite that is already accumulated on the blending stump, make horizontal streaks across the surface of the lake. Make sure that some of the strokes overlap the reflections in the water. Cover most of the open areas of the lake with these streaks.

Form a wedge shape with your kneaded eraser. Use the edge of your eraser to make more horizontal streaks in the lake. Make sure the streaks go across the dark values of the reflections as well as the lighter areas of the water. This is another way to draw ripples on the surface of the water.

Lightly draw a line along the top edge of some of the white ripples. Spread your markings across the foreground of the lake. If you feel the need, you can use the graphite from your blending stump to amplify some of the tones between the ripples in the reflections.

And that is how you draw a boat on a lake!

Tutorial Recap

For a quick visual recap of this tutorial, take a look at the image below. It shows you a progression of the main steps for how to draw a boat on a lake.

Tips to Remember the Next Time You Draw a Boat on a Lake

Here are a few tips to keep in mind for the next time you want to draw a boat in water.

• Work from a reference photo so you can better make the features of the particular boat you are drawing as well as what is happening with the water in the lake.
• Break the boat into simple geometric shapes. Then focus on one area and draw one feature or detail at a time.
• Consider using both a color and a black-and-white version of your reference. You can use both photos together to give you information about light and dark values as well as subtle changes in color, like the subtle color variations in the sky and the lake.
• Try drawing a variety of boats. Try rowboats, sailboats (with sails), and motorboats. You will get better the more you practice and even learn more about boats along the way!

Bodies of water are always a beautiful addition to landscape drawings that feature them. I hope this tutorial has inspired you to draw more landscapes with water, whether or not they have a boat.

Thank you for participating and for taking the time to draw this boat and lake scene along with me!

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