Watch it draw itself · tap to replay
How to Draw a Papel Picado
Draw a papel picado in 11 easy steps, about 8 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 string.
Step 1: The string
Start near the left edge. Draw a line drooping to the middle, then rising, and stop near the right edge.
Step 2: The middle flag
Start on the lowest part of the string. Go down a thumb, zigzag along, and back up to the string.
Step 3: Two more flags
Draw the same flag a gap away on each side: start on the string, down, zigzag, back up to it.
Step 4: The end flags
Draw one more flag near each end, leaning out: start on the string, down, zigzag, back up to the string.
Step 5: A star cut-out
In the middle of the middle flag, draw a small 5-pointed star. That is a hole cut through the paper.
Step 6: Heart cut-outs
In the middle of the 2 flags beside it, draw a small heart.
Step 7: Flower cut-outs
In the middle of each end flag, draw a small flower with 5 round petals.
Step 8: Sparkles
Draw a sparkle star below the flags on each side, and one above the middle of the string.
Step 9: Yellow and pink
Colour the 3 sparkles yellow and the first flag pink, leaving the cut-out white.
Step 10: Orange and green flags
Colour the second flag orange and the middle flag green, leaving the cut-outs white.
Step 11: Blue and purple flags
Colour the fourth flag blue and the last flag purple, leaving the cut-outs white. Your papel picado is ready!
Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a papel picado, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
