Watch it draw itself · tap to replay
How to Draw a Film Reel
Draw a film reel in 12 easy steps, about 9 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.
Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: the reel.
Step 1: The reel
Just below the middle and a bit to the left, draw one big circle, nearly as wide as the page.
Step 2: Rim and hub
Draw a second circle just inside the first, and a small circle in the very middle for the hub.
Step 3: Two big eyes
In the hub draw 2 egg eyes above the middle. Colour a black dot in each, leaving a shine.
Step 4: Smile and cheeks
Draw a U smile from under the left eye to the right eye. Add a tiny cheek at each end.
Step 5: 5 holes
Between the hub and the rim draw 5 round holes in a ring, all the same size.
Step 6: Film strip
Start high on the reel's right side and draw a finger-wide film strip peeling off it, down onto the ground.
Tip Let it slide smoothly off the circle, like film unrolling, and end it flat.
Step 7: Little square holes
Down the middle of the film strip draw a neat row of 7 tiny squares, following the bend.
Step 8: Ground line
Draw a ground line from well left to well right, touching the bottom of the reel and the strip.
Step 9: Two sparkles
In the top corners, well away from the reel, draw 2 little four-point sparkle stars.
Step 10: Pink cheeks, yellow sparkles
Colour the cheeks pink and the sparkles yellow.
Step 11: Cream holes, teal inside
Colour the hub and the 5 holes cream, then colour around them teal. Leave the eyes white.
Step 12: Slate reel
Go over your lines and colour the ring and the strip slate grey. Your reel is ready for the movies!
Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a film reel, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
