How to Draw Elf Christmas

Christmas elves are some of the cutest and most magical characters you can draw during the holiday season. They are cheerful, playful, and full of festive charm making them perfect for Christmas art, greeting cards, school activities, or creative projects.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw elf Christmas easily, this complete guide will walk you through every step. Whether you are a beginner, a child, or someone who loves holiday art, this tutorial is designed to help you draw the cutest Christmas elf ever.

What You Will Need

Before you start drawing, gather these simple materials:

A blank sheet of paper
Pencil
Eraser
Black marker or fineliner
Colored pencils or markers (green, red, skin tone, yellow)

Optional:

Ruler (for neat body shapes)
Gel pens (for highlights)
Blending stump (for shading)

Understanding the Christmas Elf Shape

Before we jump into drawing, let’s understand what makes an elf look like an elf. Traditional Christmas elves typically have:

A cute round or oval face
Big expressive eyes
Pointy ears
A long pointed hat (red or green)
A small body with short arms and legs
A festive outfit (striped socks, buttons, belt)
Elf shoes with curled toes

Once you remember these features, drawing an elf becomes very easy.

Step-by-Step: How to Draw Elf Christmas (Tutorial)

Below is the main 8-step tutorial designed for kids, beginners, and anyone who wants an easy approach.

Step 1: Draw the Elf’s Head

Start with a simple circle or slightly oval shape. This will be the elf’s face. Make it larger than the body because elves look cuter with big heads.

Tips:

Keep your lines light.
Do not worry about perfection; you can fix details later.
A wider head makes the elf cuter.

Step 2: Add the Elf’s Pointy Ears

On each side of the head, draw two triangle-shaped ears, but with rounded corners. Elves are known for their pointy ears, so this is an important feature. Inside each ear, draw a smaller line to show detail.

Pro tip: Slightly angle the ears upward to give the elf a cheerful expression.

Step 3: Draw the Elf’s Hat

The hat is one of the most important parts of the elf’s design.

To draw it:

Start above the head with a curved line.
Draw the hat rising upward into a long pointed shape.
Curve the tip of the hat downward.
Add a puff ball or bell at the end.

Then add a fuzzy brim by drawing a wavy line where the hat meets the head.

Step 4: Draw the Elf’s Face

Now let’s add the facial features. Draw two big round eyes. Add small curved eyebrows. Draw a small “U” shape for the smile. Add a tiny nose between the eyes. Add blush circles under the eyes.

Kawaii tip:
Make the eyes larger and add sparkle dots inside them.

More expressive option:
Add raised eyebrows and an open mouth for a happy elf.

Step 5: Draw the Elf’s Body

Elves typically have small bodies compared to their large heads. Draw a small rounded rectangle or teardrop shape under the head.

A collar (zig-zag or rounded)
Buttons or bowtie
A belt with buckle

You can choose between– Short fluffy dress-like top (for girl elves) Or Straight tunic (for boy elves)

Step 6: Draw the Arms and Hands

Add two short curved lines coming from the sides of the body. At the end, draw mitten-shaped hands, which are cute and easy to draw.

For pose ideas:

Hands on hips (confident elf)
One hand waving
Both hands holding a gift
One hand holding a candy cane
Arms behind back

Step 7: Draw the Legs and Elf Shoes

Draw two small legs coming down from the body. Then add curled-toe elf shoes, which make the drawing look festive.

To draw the shoes start with a long oval foot. Curl the front upward like a hook. Add a small ball or bell at the tip. Draw striped socks to make it extra cute.

Step 8: Final Outline and Color

Trace over your drawing with black marker. Finally, color your elf using:

Green for the clothes
Red for hat or sleeves
Yellow for buttons or bells
Brown for shoes
Pink for cheeks
Skin tone for the face and hands

Your Christmas elf drawing is complete.

How to Draw a Kawaii Christmas Elf (Super Cute Version)

If you love kawaii-style art, this section is for you.

Kawaii elves have:

Big round eyes
Tiny dot nose
Simple smile
Short body
Oversized hat
Pastel colors

Steps:

Draw a big circle head.
Add two giant kawaii eyes.
Add a tiny “u” mouth and blush.
Draw small pointy ears.
Draw a huge hat covering most of the head.
Draw a teeny tiny body (just a rounded shape).
Add small sticker-like arms.
Draw tiny legs and shoes.
Add pastel colors: mint, pink, lavender.

How to Draw a Kawaii Christmas Elf (Super Cute Version)

How to Draw a Girl Christmas Elf

To make a girl elf:

Add eyelashes
Draw long braids or ponytails
Give her a skirt-like tunic
Add cute bows in her hair
Add long socks or stockings
Add heart-shaped blush

Color combinations:

Red + green
Pink + mint
Purple + gold

Poses for girl elf:

Holding a candy cane
Waving
Sitting on a present
Decorating a Christmas tree

How to Draw a Boy Christmas Elf

The boy elf usually has:

Short hair or messy hair
A straight tunic
Boots instead of curled shoes (optional)
Smaller eyelashes or none

Classic colors:

Dark green
Red
Brown boots
Yellow belt buckle

Poses:

Holding a hammer (toy-making elf)
Carrying gifts
Standing confidently
Peeking around a corner

How to Draw a Realistic Christmas Elf (Advanced)

If you want something detailed:

Draw a longer face
Add shading under the eyes
Add wrinkle details on hat and clothes
Draw natural-looking hair
Add folds in clothing
Draw boots in realistic perspective
Use deeper colors like forest green and crimson

How to Draw a Realistic Christmas Elf (Advanced)

Coloring Guide for Christmas Elf Drawing

Colors are a big part of an elf’s charm. Here’s how to color your drawing perfectly:

Elf Skin Tones

You can choose:

Fair / Light
Tan
Brown
Fantasy (blue, green, pink)

Elf Hat Colors

Popular choices:

Red hat + white brim (Santa theme)
Green hat + yellow trim (elf theme)
Blue hat + snowflakes (winter theme)
Pink hat for kawaii elf

Elf Outfit Colors

Traditional:

Green shirt
Red sleeves
Brown belt
Gold buttons

Kawaii:

Pastel pink
Mint
Lavender
Soft yellow

Elf Shoes Colors

Green
Brown
Red
Gold for bell accents

Shading Tips

To make your elf look 3D:

Add darker color on one side
Shade under the hat
Shade behind arms and legs
Add highlights with a white gel pen

Common Mistakes When Drawing Elves

Beginners often make these mistakes:

Head too small
Ears too low
Hat not curved
Body too long
Shoes not curled
Face not centered

Always sketch lightly so you can adjust proportions before outlining.

Elf Drawing Ideas

Try drawing your elf in different scenarios:

Elf holding a gift
Elf eating cookies
Elf decorating a tree
Elf making toys
Elf playing in snow
Elf delivering letters
Elf sitting on a star
Elf riding a sleigh
Elf hanging stockings

These fun ideas make great holiday cards or notebooks.

Elf Variations to Draw

1. Chibi Elf

Chibi Elf Defined by their oversized heads and sparkling eyes, these pint-sized cuties are bursting with exaggerated energy. Their tiny, “super-deformed” proportions make even their clumsy antics and mischievous pranks look undeniably adorable.

2. Baby Elf

Baby Elf Wrapped in a cozy swaddle with floppy ears that haven’t quite perked up yet, this tiny elf looks at the world with wide-eyed wonder. Instead of building toys, their main job is napping in vine baskets and spreading joy with innocent giggles.

3. Santa’s Helper Elf

Santa’s Helper Elf Clad in classic red and green with jingling bells, this hardworking elf is the heartbeat of the North Pole workshop. They work tirelessly crafting toys and checking lists, fueled by hot cocoa and the spirit of giving.

4. Snow Elf

Dressed in white furs to blend with the blizzard, this graceful spirit guards the frozen tundra and winter solstice. They prefer the silence of the falling snow and the company of arctic animals over the busy workshop.

5. Forest Elf

Wearing tunics made of leaves and moss, these silent protectors of the woods blend perfectly into the canopy. They speak the language of the animals and use their earth magic to tend to the trees and flowers.

6. Elf on the Shelf

This scout elf sits perfectly still by day to watch over the household, reporting who is naughty or nice to Santa at night. The fun lies in waking up to find them hiding in a new, often mischievous spot every morning.

How to Turn Your Elf Drawing Into Art

You can turn your elf drawing into:

Christmas cards
Stickers
Coloring pages
Wrapping paper
Notebook cover
Digital illustration
Holiday banner
Classroom craft

Just scan or photograph your drawing and print it!

FAQs About Drawing a Christmas Elf

1. Is drawing an elf easy for beginners?

Yes! Elves are made using simple shapes like circles, ovals, triangles, and curved lines.

2. Can kids draw this?

Absolutely. This tutorial is perfect for kids ages 5+.

3. What is the best color for elf outfits?

Green + red is traditional, but kawaii pastels also look adorable.

4. Do elves always have pointy ears?

Yes, in most Christmas stories elves have pointy ears, so include them for accuracy.

5. How do I make my elf cuter?

Make the head bigger
Add blush
Add sparkles in eyes
Use pastel colors
Add a tiny nose

Drawing a Christmas elf is fun, creative, and perfect for the holiday season. With simple shapes, easy steps, and lots of room for creativity, anyone even complete beginners can draw a magical elf.