Nose Drawing: Step-by-Step Tutorial & Easy Ideas

Want to draw a nose that actually looks right? Start with a light proportion framework and build from there. This page covers the full process — nine steps from first line to finished drawing — followed by nose drawing ideas in every style: easy, cute, realistic, and a few you probably haven't tried.

Difficulty Hard
Time ~25 min
Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
Starts with a light proportion framework

Nose drawing — hand-drawn nose illustration with ink lines and soft colors

How to Draw a Nose Step by Step

Step 1 of 9

Bridge and tip guides

Draw a narrow tall rectangle down the center of the page for the bridge, then a wide oval below it for the tip and nostrils.

See the full sheet

Bridge and tip guides
Draw a narrow tall rectangle down the center of the page for the bridge, then a wide oval below it for the tip and nostrils.
Bridge lines
Trace two long lines down the sides of the bridge, flaring outward near the bottom.
Rounded tip
Trace the rounded tip and nostril wing outline so it is wider than the bridge above it.
Curved nostrils
Add two curved nostril shapes on either side of the base of the nose.
Tip crease
Add a small curved crease line at the very bottom center of the tip.
Bridge shadow
Add a thin curved shadow line running down one side of the bridge.
Wing shading and highlight
Add small curved shading marks along the outer edge of each nostril wing, then a small highlight shape on the front of the tip.
Ink the lines
Go over every kept line with dark ink, then erase the light bridge and tip guides.
Color the nose
Fill the whole nose a warm skin tone, keeping the shadow side slightly darker and the highlight lighter.

Nose Drawing Ideas to Try Next

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

A cozy bundled-up figure
Big coat, big scarf, small visible face — winter clothing hides anatomy while you practice everything else.
A back-view nose
No face required: hair, shoulders, and posture carry everything. The most confidence-building people drawing there is.
A gesture-pose minute study
Set a timer for 60 seconds and capture just the motion line and weight — repeat five times, keep the best.
Nose in profile silhouette
One side-view outline filled solid black — profile practice with a dramatic result.
Hands holding something small
A mug, a phone, a flower — drawing hands WITH objects is easier than empty hands, and endlessly useful.

Nose Drawing Styles: Easy, Cute & More

Easy Nose Drawing

Try a simplified version built from basic shapes — perfect for beginners and kids. Same nine steps as above — simply simplify or stylize the final pass.

Browse more easy ideas →

Tips for Better Nose Drawings

Eyes sit at the vertical middle of the head — everyone places them too high at first. Measure it once on any photo and you’ll never unsee it.
Draw the spaces between features, not just the features. The distance from nose to mouth matters more than the nose or the mouth.

Not feeling the nose today?

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

🎲 Random Drawing Generator

Nose Drawing FAQ

What is the easiest way to draw a nose?

Start with a light proportion framework, 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 nose on their very first try with it.

How long does a nose drawing take?

A simple nose drawing takes about 25 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 nose 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.

Why is drawing a nose so hard?

Nose drawings usually go wrong at the proportion stage, not the detail stage. The fix is to spend more time on the basic shapes (steps 1–2) and check them before adding anything else — and use the tip above, which addresses the single most common nose mistake.