Ghost Drawing: Step-by-Step Tutorial & Easy Ideas
Learning how to draw a ghost is easier than it looks — the whole thing starts with a bell curve with a wavy hem. This guide walks you through a ghost drawing in six clear steps, then hands you a set of ghost drawing ideas to keep going: easy versions for beginners, cute and cartoon takes, and variations worth sketching when you want more.
- Difficulty Easy
- Time ~6 min
- Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
- Starts with a bell curve with a wavy hem
How to Draw a Ghost Step by Step
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Draw the dome
A tall bell curve — rounded top, sides flowing down and slightly outward, like a droplet of falling fabric.
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Wave the hem
Close the bottom with three or four soft scallops or one flowing wave — the hem should feel like it's drifting, not cut straight.
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Add the face
Two tall oval eyes and an O mouth, placed low-center. The lower the face sits, the cuter the ghost.
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Lift the arms
Two stubby arm bumps flowing out of the sides — one up, one down reads as mid-wave 'boo'.
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Suggest the fabric
One or two short interior curves near the hem and below the arms — fold hints that turn the shape from balloon into cloth.
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Float it
Erase any ground contact, add a soft shadow puddle BELOW the ghost with a gap, plus two motion wisps trailing from the hem.
Ghost Drawing Ideas to Try Next
Once the basic ghost 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 ghost with a party hat
The birthday boo: cone hat, one balloon string in its stubby hand.
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Ghosts playing peek-a-boo behind a door
Two ghosts, one door frame — overlap practice that writes its own story.
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A ghost reading in bed
Sheet ghost with glasses, holding a book, bedside candle — cozy horror is the best horror.
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A tiny ghost familiar on a shoulder
Pocket-sized companion version perched on a simple shoulder line.
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A ghost guarding treasure
Add a small pile of coins and one glowing gem — the scene writes itself.
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Skeletal or spectral ghost
Draw the ghost/bone version with wispy trailing edges — halloween-ready and forgiving of anatomy.
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Ghost tattoo flash design
Bold outline, limited shading, designed to fit a shoulder — flash style suits fantasy subjects perfectly.
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A baby ghost
Shrink it, enlarge the eyes and head, add one stubby feature — cuteness transforms any fearsome subject.
Ghost Drawing Styles: Easy, Cute & More
Cute Ghost Drawing
Try the kawaii treatment: rounder shapes, bigger eyes, tiny proportions and soft colors. Same six steps as above — simply simplify or stylize the final pass.
Easy Ghost Drawing
Try a simplified version built from basic shapes — perfect for beginners and kids. Same six steps as above — simply simplify or stylize the final pass.
Tips for Better Ghost Drawings
- The floating gap is the trick everyone misses: a shadow directly attached makes a standing ghost (which is just a kid in a sheet). Leave visible air between hem and shadow and it levitates.
- Ground the fantasy in real anatomy — borrow joints, weight, and balance from real animals, then exaggerate. Believability comes from the real bones underneath.
Not feeling the ghost today?
Let the generator pick your next subject — filtered by mood and difficulty.
🎲 Random Drawing GeneratorGhost Drawing FAQ
What is the easiest way to draw a ghost?
Start with a bell curve with a wavy hem, keeping your lines light. Refine the outline, add the defining details, then erase the construction shapes. The six-step method above breaks this down — most people get a recognizable ghost on their very first try with it.
How long should it take to draw a ghost?
A simple ghost drawing takes about 6 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 ghost 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.
Is a ghost easy to draw for beginners?
Yes — the ghost 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.
