Abraham Lincoln Drawing: Step-by-Step Tutorial & Easy Ideas

Every good Abraham Lincoln drawing starts the same way: one clear outline divided into labeled regions, refined step by step into a finished piece. Below you'll find a complete step-by-step tutorial you can follow with any pencil and paper, plus easy Abraham Lincoln drawing ideas — from quick five-minute doodles to more detailed studies.

  • Difficulty Medium
  • Time ~15 min
  • Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
  • Starts with one clear outline divided into labeled regions
Abraham Lincoln drawing — hand-drawn Abraham Lincoln illustration with ink lines and soft colors
Abraham Lincoln drawing — hand-drawn Abraham Lincoln illustration with ink lines and soft colors

How to Draw Abraham Lincoln Step by Step

How to draw Abraham Lincoln step by step — 9-step Abraham Lincoln drawing tutorial sheet

Step 1 of 9

Head oval and center

Draw a tall light oval for the head in the upper middle of the page, then a light vertical line straight down its center.

See the full sheet
How to draw Abraham Lincoln step by step — 9-step Abraham Lincoln drawing tutorial sheet
How to draw Abraham Lincoln step by step — 9-step Abraham Lincoln drawing tutorial sheet
  1. Head oval and center

    Draw a tall light oval for the head in the upper middle of the page, then a light vertical line straight down its center.

  2. Jaw and ears

    Trace a long narrow jaw on the lower part of the oval ending in a pointed chin, then add a simple ear on each side.

  3. Eyes and nose

    Add two deep narrow eyes with heavy brows on the center line, and a long straight nose down the middle.

  4. Mouth and cheeks

    Draw a thin downturned mouth below the nose, then two hollow cheek lines curving down toward the jaw.

  5. Tall stovepipe hat

    Draw a tall flat-topped hat sitting on the head, with a wide brim and straight sides rising well above the head.

  6. Beard and collar

    Add a bushy beard following the jawline with no mustache, then a short neck with a stand-up collar and bow tie.

  7. Shoulders and texture

    Draw wide sloped suit shoulders below the collar, add wavy hair strands under the hat brim, and a few curls in the beard.

  8. Ink the lines

    Go over every kept line with dark ink, then erase the light head oval and center line guides.

  9. Color the portrait

    Fill the skin a warm tan, the hat and suit black, the collar white, and the beard and hair dark gray.

Abraham Lincoln Drawing Ideas to Try Next

Once the basic Abraham Lincoln clicks, run it through these variations — each one practices a different skill while staying on a subject you already know.

  • A labeled diagram of Abraham Lincoln

    The classic homework version: clean outline, distinct regions, straight pointer lines to printed labels.

  • Abraham Lincoln as a friendly cartoon

    Give it eyes and a smile — the memorable-mnemonic style that makes studying stick.

  • A step-by-step process strip

    Show Abraham Lincoln in stages across three or four panels, with arrows — perfect for processes and cycles.

  • A poster-style Abraham Lincoln with title lettering

    Big title, Abraham Lincoln center-stage, two or three fact callouts — the class-project format.

Tips for Better Abraham Lincoln Drawings

  • Accuracy first: check a textbook diagram before you stylize. A beautiful but wrong diagram loses marks and teaches nothing.
  • Label lines should never cross each other — plan label positions around the drawing before writing any text.

Not feeling Abraham Lincoln today?

Let the generator pick your next subject — filtered by mood and difficulty.

🎲 Random Drawing Generator

Abraham Lincoln Drawing FAQ

How do you draw Abraham Lincoln easily?

Start with one clear outline divided into labeled regions, keeping your lines light. Refine the outline, add the defining details, then erase the construction shapes. The nine-step method above breaks this down — most people get a recognizable Abraham Lincoln on their very first try with it.

How long does Abraham Lincoln drawing take?

A simple Abraham Lincoln drawing takes about 15 minutes following this tutorial. A quick doodle version can be done in two or three minutes, while a detailed, fully-shaded study might take an hour. Speed comes with repetition — the second attempt is always faster than the first.

What do I need to draw Abraham Lincoln?

Just a pencil, an eraser, and any paper. An HB pencil for construction lines and a 2B for final outlines is a nice upgrade, and colored pencils or markers finish it off — but nothing on this page requires special supplies.

Is Abraham Lincoln easy to draw for beginners?

Yes — Abraham Lincoln is very manageable once you use construction shapes, and this method was written for first-timers. Kids can follow the same steps; just expect wobblier lines and more charm.