Chain Drawing: Step-by-Step Tutorial & Easy Ideas
Learning how to draw a chain is easier than it looks — the whole thing starts with a few basic boxes and cylinders. This guide walks you through a chain drawing in six clear steps, then hands you a set of chain drawing ideas to keep going: easy versions for beginners, cute and cartoon takes, and variations worth sketching when you want more.
- Difficulty Easy
- Time ~12 min
- Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
- Starts with a few basic boxes and cylinders
How to Draw a Chain Step by Step
Step 1 of 9
Vertical path guide
Draw one light wavy line down the center of the page to plan the gentle sway of the hanging chain.
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Vertical path guide
Draw one light wavy line down the center of the page to plan the gentle sway of the hanging chain.
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First two links
Draw an upright oval link at the top of the guide, then a sideways oval link looping through it just below.
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Next two links
Add an upright oval link looping through the second link, then a sideways oval link looping through that one.
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Final two links
Add an upright oval link looping through the fourth link, then a sideways oval link looping through that one at the bottom.
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Band thickness
Add an inner line inside each of the six links to show the thickness of the metal band.
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Metal highlights
Add a short curved shine mark on the upper left of each link to suggest polished metal.
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End clasp
Add a small rounded clasp shape closing the bottom of the last link.
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Ink the lines
Go over every kept line with dark ink, then erase the light wavy path guide.
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Color the chain
Fill all six links and the clasp a metallic silver, and the highlight marks bright white.
Chain Drawing Ideas to Try Next
Once the basic chain clicks, run it through these variations — each one practices a different skill while staying on a subject you already know.
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A tiny chain on a big empty page
Miniature drawing with deliberate negative space — composition as the artwork.
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A worn, well-loved chain
Add scratches, patches, and history — aged objects have stories new ones don't.
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Cross-hatched vintage chain
Render it in old-encyclopedia pen style: outlines plus patient parallel hatching.
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An exploded view of a chain
Separate the parts in mid-air like an instruction manual — deeply satisfying to draw and read.
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A chain as a tiny house
Add a door and windows to the chain as if someone tiny lives inside it.
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A chain pattern sheet
Fill a page with the chain at different angles and sizes — sticker-sheet style.
Tips for Better Chain Drawings
- Find the object’s basic solids first (box, cylinder, sphere) and get their proportions right before any detail — detail on wrong proportions is wasted work.
- A contact shadow grounds everything: a soft dark pool where the object meets the surface is the difference between sitting and floating.
Not feeling the chain today?
Let the generator pick your next subject — filtered by mood and difficulty.
🎲 Random Drawing GeneratorChain Drawing FAQ
How do you draw a chain easily?
Start with a few basic boxes and cylinders, 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 chain on their very first try with it.
How long does a chain drawing take?
A simple chain drawing takes about 12 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 supplies do I need for chain drawings?
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.
Can kids draw a chain?
Yes — the chain is one of the friendlier subjects for beginners, and this method was written for first-timers. Kids can follow the same steps; just expect wobblier lines and more charm.
