With the Word Cup going on it’s the perfect time to learn How to Draw a Soccer Ball! My step by step tutorial will teach you an easy way to draw the various shaped sections of the soccer ball so they fit together just right. 55 years of drawing practice came in handy to figure that out!
Jump to:
- Drawing Fun Ahead: 3-D Soccer Ball Drawing
- Draw a Simple Soccer Ball
- Supplies to Make a Sketch of a Soccer Ball
- Equipment to Draw a Soccer Ball Easy
- Steps for An Easy Draw Soccer Ball
- Make a Cute Soccer Ball Drawing
- Craft Tips for a Soccer Ball Easy Draw
- Craft Variations
- FAQ On How to Draw a Soccer Ball
- More Easy Sports Drawing Tutorials for Kids
- Come join the fun at WTN!
- More Crafts Please!
- How to Draw a Soccer Ball - Easy Step By Step
Drawing Fun Ahead: 3-D Soccer Ball Drawing
A number of years ago my mother took my sister and I to Sweden to see some family sites. Wherever we went, TVs were on and people were watching soccer the World Cup. I grew to realize how popular soccer was throughout the world.
But having the World Cup in North America (Mexico, Canada, and the United States) has caused me to personally grow an interest in soccer (football). I have met and talked with fans from other countries such as Ecuador that have traveled all that way to cheer on their team! Amazing!
But whether we are watching the tournament or local games, professional players or our grandkids, it’s especially fun to see kids get excited about soccer! Drawing a soccer ball is a fun way to celebrate the sport of soccer and kids (or adults) will grow in their drawing skills as well. Enjoy!
Draw a Simple Soccer Ball
Learning how to draw a simple soccer ball is super easy with the right steps. It may look tricky, but really it's just connecting some shapes in the right way.
Then you can color in your drawing and add the logos and colors of your favorite soccer team! Or should I say football team for those outside the U.S.?
Ready? Let's jump in!
Supplies to Make a Sketch of a Soccer Ball
You don't need much to bring this fun soccer drawing to life!
- Drawing paper or a drawing sketchbook- White paper of any type works well.
- Pencil- Just a regular school pencil will work but you can also buy drawing pencils.
- Eraser- I need one at least!
- Pencil sharpener- It's nice to have one handy.
- Permanent black marker (fine-tip works well)- Used to go over the pencil drawing (optional).
- Colored pencils, colored markers, or crayons- Add color to your drawing (optional).
Equipment to Draw a Soccer Ball Easy
- A flat work surface or drawing table
- Good lighting
Steps for An Easy Draw Soccer Ball
Step 1: Draw a Large Circle
Begin by drawing a large circle on your drawing paper (I placed mine slightly to the right so I could add decoration in the background). This is the ball of course. I like trying to draw a circle free hand which is good to practice. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect. But you could also draw around a round object (like a bowl or cup).
Step 2: Creating 5 Sections in the Circle
Draw a dot in the center of the circle. Try to get it as close to the center as possible but don’t worry if it isn’t perfect.
We are going to draw 5 lines out from the center to the circle edge. The goal is to make the five sections made from these lines as evenly spaced as possible. Let me give you my trick to make this happen.
Draw a line straight up from the dot to the edge of the circle. Next, draw two lines that come out of the center dot. One will go down to the bottom left of the circle and the other to the bottom right of the circle. These will kind of look like two legs in a jumping jack stance.
Then draw two lines that come out from the center dot out to the upper left of the circle and the upper right of the circle. These will kind of look like two arms up in a cheer.
Step 3: Add the Center Pentagon
On each of the five lines, draw two small dots that divide the line into 3 sections as evenly as possible.
Draw lines connecting the 5 dots (one on each line) that are closest to the center dot. This will create a five-sided shape (pentagon) near the center of the ball. Most soccer balls feature pentagon and hexagon shapes sewn together.
Erase the center dot and lines inside this center pentagon.
Step 4: Draw Connecting Shapes
We are going to make 6 sided shapes (hexagons) around the center pentagon.
Turn your paper so one of the 5 lines is going straight down towards you. From the dot on that line that is closest to the edge of the soccer ball, draw two lines that go out and slightly slanted downwards. These lines will be about the same length as the distance between two dots on the line.
Repeat this step on each of the five lines that come from the center dot. It helps to turn your paper as you do this so the line you are working on is straight down towards you.
Step 5: Finish the hexagons
Draw a line between two of these lines that angle down towards each other- this will complete five hexagons around the center pentagon.
To finish the drawing of the soccer ball, look at my picture to see how the outside shapes are made. Draw lines from the ends of the last line you drew (that finished each hexagon)- slant them outwards to the edge of the outer soccer ball line.
It’s as if the outer shapes continue on around the back of the soccer ball and helps make it look round!!
Step 6: Finish drawing if completing it in pencil
Erase the ⅓ of the first lines you made in Step 2 that are inside these outer shapes. You will color each of these sections in as well as the center pentagon on your soccer ball. The other sections are left white for now.
If you are doing a black and white pencil drawing, go ahead and color them in now. If you want to color your drawing, leave them white and color them in later. Remember which ones you color though!!
Step 7: Create a 3-D Look
To make a 3-D soccer ball drawing, add a little shading around one side of the ball. That helps your ball look round instead of flat.
Step 8: Draw the Ground and Background
Sketch simple zig-zagging lines under the ball as grass. Add any type of details you would like. I added some “swish lines” on one side of the ball that are supposed to look like the ball is moving. You can add flowers, a goal, or cheering fans.
Leave this as your finished pencil drawing or go on to add a black line and color your drawing.
Step 9: Black Line and Erase
Go over the pencil lines of your drawing with a permanent black marker. This makes the drawing “pop” and the permanent ink won’t smudge if you use water based markers later. Once the ink dries, carefully erase any pencil marks that are still seen.
Step 10: Color Your Drawing
On your sketch of a soccer ball, color the center pentagon and the five pentagons along the edge black (or color of your choice). You can use Colored pencils, colored markers, or crayons. Leave the hexagon sections white. This is the coloring of a traditional soccer ball. If you prefer you can use your favorite team colors and logo! Color in the background, adding any details you would like.
Make a Cute Soccer Ball Drawing
If you want a cute soccer ball drawing, add a fun face on the soccer ball before you color it in. The ball can have arms and legs (even stick figure like). You can add hats, flowers, hearts, and sports ball friends if you would like! Have fun and use your imagination!!
Craft Tips for a Soccer Ball Easy Draw
These tips can help making your soccer ball drawing even easier!
- Follow along on the full length video found at: How to Draw a Soccer Ball Tutorial Video
- Draw lightly with your pencil so lines can be erased easily.
- Use a bowl, cup, or any round object to draw around for the circle shape..
- A ruler can be used to draw the lines.
- Shading on the side of the ball and under the ball makes it look 3-D.
- Younger children can draw fewer shapes on the ball to make it easier.
- Practicing drawing a circle will improve your skill- try practicing on scratch paper first.
Craft Variations
Here are a few variations you're welcome to try with this 3-D soccer ball drawing:
- Create a cute soccer ball drawing- add a smiling face, arms, and legs.
- Draw a goal in the background.
- Make a card and add the soccer ball drawing. That would be perfect to give to a soccer fan!.
- Draw a soccer ball on a paper bookmark. Color and laminate it if you'd like. Punch a hole in the top, add a ribbon and use it to mark your place in a favorite book. A perfect craft f your young artist enjoys soccer.
- Draw your favorite team's colors and logo on the soccer ball drawing.
- Try a soccer ball easy draw version- don’t use black line or color. Draw with pencil and use more shading.
FAQ On How to Draw a Soccer Ball
Start with a circle, add a center pentagon, and then draw connecting shapes around it. Shade with pencil or color with You can use Colored pencils, colored markers, or crayons.
Using the side of the pencil led, shade the "seams" of the soccer ball. Shade around the side of the ball. A shadow underneath the ball helps create depth.
This project works well for children ages 6 and up. Younger children may enjoy a simplified version.
More Easy Sports Drawing Tutorials for Kids
Looking for more great DIY crafts for kids? Here are a few favorites for you to try:
- How to Draw A Soccer Goal Step By Step
- Simple Volleyball Drawing 2 Ways
- How to Draw a Baseball
- How to Draw the FIFA World Cup Trophy
Come join the fun at WTN!
I hope you enjoyed learning how to draw a soccer ball! Whether you're celebrating a soccer tournament, supporting a favorite team, or simply looking for a fun afternoon activity, this drawing project is a great way to practice art skills while enjoying a favorite sport.
Try this craft, leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
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How to Draw a Soccer Ball - Easy Step By Step
Equipment
- A flat work surface or drawing table
- Good lighting
Items Required
- Drawing paper or a drawing sketchbook White paper of any type works well.
- Pencil Just a regular school pencil will work but you can also buy drawing pencils.
- Eraser I need one at least!
- Pencil sharpener It's nice to have one handy.
- Permanent black marker (fine-tip works well)- Used to go over the pencil drawing (optional).
- Colored pencils, colored markers, or crayons Add color to your drawing (optional).
Instructions
- Begin by drawing a large circle on your drawing paper. This is the ball of course. I like trying to draw a circle free hand which is good to practice. But you could also draw around a round object (like a bowl or cup).
- Draw a dot in the center of the circle. We are going to draw 5 lines out from the center to the circle edge. Draw a line straight up from the dot to the edge of the circle. Next, draw two lines that come out of the center dot. One will go down to the bottom left of the circle and the other to the bottom right of the circle. These will kind of look like two legs in a jumping jack stance. Then draw two lines that come out from the center dot out to the upper left of the circle and the upper right of the circle. These will kind of look like two arms up in a cheer.
- On each of the five lines, draw two small dots that divide the line into 3 sections as evenly as possible.Draw lines connecting the 5 dots (one on each line) that are closest to the center dot. This will create a five-sided shape (pentagon) Erase the center dot and lines inside this center pentagon.
- We are going to make 6 sided shapes (hexagons) around the center pentagon.Turn your paper so one of the 5 lines is going straight down towards you. From the dot on that line that is closest to the edge of the soccer ball, draw two lines that go out and slightly slanted downwards. These lines will be about the same length as the distance between two dots on the line. Repeat this step on each of the five lines that come from the center dot. It helps to turn your paper as you do this so the line you are working on is straight down towards you.
- Draw a line between two of these lines that angle down towards each other- this will complete five hexagons around the center pentagon.To finish the drawing of the soccer ball, look at my picture to see how the outside shapes are made. Draw lines from the ends of the last line you drew (that finished each hexagon)- slant them outwards to the edge of the outer soccer ball line.
- Erase the ⅓ of the first lines you made in Step 2 that are inside these outer shapes. If you are doing a black and white pencil drawing, go ahead and color them in now. If you want to color your drawing, leave them white and color them in later. Remember which ones you color though!!
- To make a 3-D soccer ball drawing, add a little shading around one side of the ball. That helps your ball look round instead of flat.
- Sketch simple zig-zagging lines under the ball as grass. Add any type of details you would like. I added some “swish lines” on one side of the ball Leave this as your finished pencil drawing or go on to add a black line and color your drawing.
- Go over the pencil lines of your drawing with a permanent black marker. Once the ink dries, carefully erase any pencil marks that are still seen.
- On your sketch of a soccer ball, color the center pentagon and the five pentagons along the edge black (or color of your choice). You can use Colored pencils, colored markers, or crayons. Leave the hexagon sections white. This is the coloring of a traditional soccer ball. If you prefer you can use your favorite team colors and logo! Color in the background, adding any details you would like.
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