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How to Draw a Paper Chain

12 steps · Medium · about 9 min

Draw a paper chain 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: first ring.

Step 1: First ring
Near the top left draw a tilted oval. Draw a smaller oval inside it to make a flat paper ring.
Tip Leave room on the right: the chain will dip down and climb back up.
Step 2: Second ring
Start on the first ring and draw a second ring through it, a little lower. Stop where it tucks behind.
Tip The new ring crosses over the first ring on top and hides behind it below. Rub out the lines it covers.
Step 3: Third ring
Start on the second ring and link a third ring the same way, lower again. Stop where it tucks behind.
Step 4: Fourth ring
Start on the third ring and link a fourth ring lying flat at the bottom. Stop where it tucks behind.
Tip This ring is the middle of the chain.
Step 5: Fifth ring
Now climb back up. Start on the fourth ring and link a fifth ring. Stop where it tucks behind.
Step 6: Sixth ring
Start on the fifth ring and link a sixth ring, higher and more tilted. Stop where it tucks behind.
Step 7: Seventh ring
Start on the sixth ring and link the last ring, as high as the first. Stop where it tucks behind.
Tip Count your rings: there are 7.
Step 8: Two pins
On the top end of each end ring draw a round pin to hold the chain up.
Tip Rub out the ring's lines inside each pin.
Step 9: Yellow and orange
Colour the second ring yellow and the sixth ring orange.
Tip Each ring is one colour all the way round, even where another ring hides part of it.
Step 10: Pink and red
Colour the last ring pink and the first ring red.
Step 11: Green and blue
Colour the third ring green and the middle ring blue.
Step 12: Purple and grey
Go over your lines. Colour the fifth ring purple and the 2 pins grey.