Gather the kids and some colorful paper, chalk pastels and a bit of glitter to create this festive reindeer.
I always said that some animals like elephants, zebras and giraffes are wonderful subjects for children to draw because no matter what they create, add a long trunk, a few stripes and a long neck, and the animal will be easily recognized.

This holiday reindeer art project is similar. Add a bright red, sparkly nose and you have Rudolph!

Watch the art tutorial video below…

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Download this handy drawing guide before you get started: (NOTE: We recommend downloading the freebie using Chrome or Safari)

What You’ll Need:

– 12″ x 18″ white drawing/sulphite paper for Rudolph

– 12″ x 18″ colored paper for background (optional)

– 9″ x 12″ brown, grey or colored sulphite paper for antlers

– Black oil pastel or crayon

– Soft Chalk pastels (I like Sargent or Blick Brand)

– Paper Scraps (including some red) for the collar and nose

– Scissors and glue

What to do:

Start by making the antlers. Watch the video (above) to see how I fold the paper and draw the antlers. Cut the antlers and set aside.

On the white paper placed in a vertical position, draw the reindeer. Download the drawing guide to see the steps or watch the video to see the steps in action.
Basically, I like to start on one side of the paper and draw a sideways letter U.

TEACHER TIP: I do this a lot when teaching children how to draw. If you start with what they know (a letter U) then can see how easily lines form into shapes.

The next part is the trickiest. Draw the top of the head and then the ear. Then, draw the rest of the neck (front and back).

From here, it’s easy peasy!

From the nose, draw a line that extends towards the eye, goes up and over the eye and then down the neck. This is a decorative line so children can be creative.

Draw the inside of the ear and another ear on the back of the head.

Using chalk pastel, select 2-3 colors in which to color in the reindeer. I like 3 colors: two complementary colors for the reindeer and another accent color for any details.

Cut out the reindeer and turn over to apply glue. Place on colored paper and press down.

Cut out the antlers, add some black texture lines to imply the ridges of the antlers.

Once the reindeer is glued to the background paper, slip one of the antlers behind the head. You may need to snip off the end. Then glue the front antler.

A little Bling…

Select a colored piece of scrap paper for the collar. Hold up the paper to the reindeer’s head to measure how long the collar should be. Using a crayon, mark where to cut the collar.

Snip collar so it looks like a rectangle.

Add decorative details with additional pieces of scrap paper or by using crayons or oil pastels.

Cut out a circle (tracing a small plastic container lid is easy for kids) and glue to Rudolph’s nose.

The final step is to trace over all the black lines again with a black oil pastel. This really makes the colors POP.

If you create this lesson in your art room, I’d love to see it!

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