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How to Draw a Paddle Steamer

13 steps · Tricky · about 10 min

Draw a paddle steamer in 13 steps, about 10 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 waves.

Step 1: The waves
Start at the left edge, below the middle. Draw gentle wave bumps across to the right edge. Add ripples.
Step 2: Wide flat hull
Start on the waves. Draw a long low hull, flat on top, and stop on the waves at the back.
Tip A paddle steamer is a flat floating cake with a giant back wheel.
Step 3: Porthole eyes and smile
On the front, under the deck, draw 2 small round portholes with a shine. Add a small smile.
Step 4: Two decks
On the hull draw a long low box for the lower deck. On top draw a slightly shorter box.
Tip Each deck is a little shorter than the one below, like a wedding cake.
Step 5: Railing and windows
Along the lower deck draw a rail with short posts. Add 5 small windows on the upper deck.
Step 6: Pilot house and flag
On the top deck draw a small cabin with a window. Start on its roof, draw a flagpole up, stop.
Step 7: Twin smoke stacks
On the top deck draw 2 TALL thin stacks, one near each end. Add 2 smoke puffs above each.
Step 8: Giant back wheel
At the back draw a GIANT wheel from the waves round to the waves. Arch a cover over it.
Step 9: Spokes and boards
Start on the hub and draw 5 spokes out to the rim. Add short fat paddle boards between them.
Step 10: Yellow flag
Go over your lines. Leave the steamer and the eyes white. Colour the flag yellow.
Step 11: Windows and cheeks
Colour all 6 windows sky blue. Add 2 pink cheeks beside the smile.
Step 12: Sea and smoke
Colour the sea blue from the waves down. Colour the smoke puffs and the wheel cover grey.
Step 13: Red wheel, black stacks
Colour the paddle wheel red and both smoke stacks black. Your steamer is done!