Watch it draw itself · tap to replay
How to Draw a Paperclip
Draw a paperclip in 10 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: note card.
Step 1: Note card
Low in the middle draw a card a little wider than tall, with its bottom right corner cut off.
Tip Keep the card small and plain: the big clip is the star.
Step 2: Big paperclip
Start on the card's right. Draw a thick wire round the bottom, high over the card, round inside, stopping left.
Tip One wire that goes round twice, like a racetrack inside a racetrack.
Step 3: Two big eyes
Inside the clip's round top draw 2 big egg eyes. Colour a black dot in each, leaving a shine.
Step 4: Smile and cheeks
Under the eyes draw a U smile from eye to eye. Add a small oval cheek beside each end.
Step 5: Folded corner
Inside the cut corner draw a little flap, starting at the top of the slant and stopping at the bottom.
Step 6: Desk line
Draw a straight desk line under the card, starting well left of it and stopping well right.
Step 7: Sparkles
Add 4 sparkle stars in the air around the clip and the card, not touching them.
Step 8: Yellow card and sparkles
Go over your lines. Colour the card and sparkles yellow, leaving the clip, flap and eyes white.
Step 9: Sand flap, pink cheeks
Colour the folded flap sand and the cheeks pink.
Step 10: Red clip
Colour the big paperclip red. Your paperclip is holding everything together!
Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a paperclip, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
