I’ve always loved creating festive characters, and every December I find myself reaching for my sketchbook (and hot chocolate!) to draw something that feels like Christmas. This year, I couldn’t resist tackling one of the most iconic holiday personalities — the Grinch himself. If you’ve ever wondered how to draw the Grinch in a simple, cute, and beginner-friendly way, this step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the process.
Whether you’re sketching traditionally on paper or using a digital app like Procreate, these steps will help you capture his mischievous charm in no time.
I know many people hesitate to start drawing characters because they worry it’s too complicated or “won’t turn out right.” Trust me — I’ve been there too. That’s why I love breaking everything down into small, easy steps so anyone can follow along and enjoy the creative process.
Step 1: Draw the Hat Trim
Let’s start with the soft fluffy trim of the Grinch’s Santa hat! Draw a long, slightly curved rounded rectangle near the top of your paper.
This will be the fuzzy white part of the hat that sits above his head. Keep the corners smooth and soft to make it look cozy — just like the Grinch’s holiday style!
Step 2: Add the Santa Hat Pom-Pom
Now let’s give the Grinch’s hat its festive touch! Draw a small circle to the right of the hat trim — this will be the fluffy pom-pom at the tip of his Santa hat.
Make sure it’s slightly separated from the trim so it looks like it’s dangling from the end of the hat.
Keep the shape round and soft to match the cozy Christmas feel!
Step 3: Draw the Top of the Hat
Next, let’s connect the trim and pom-pom to form the rest of the Santa hat! Starting from the left side of the hat trim, draw a large curved line that arches upward and bends down toward the pom-pom.
Then, add a shorter curved line on the right to connect it smoothly. This gives the hat its soft, floppy shape — just like the Grinch’s festive holiday look!
Step 4: Start Drawing the Head Shape
Let’s begin shaping the Grinch’s head! From each side of the hat trim, draw a short curved line going downward. These lines will form the top sides of his face.
Keep them slightly angled and soft — we’ll add more details soon to capture that mischievous Grinch expression!
Step 5: Add the Fluffy Cheeks
Time to give the Grinch his signature furry cheeks! At the end of each line you just drew, add a few zigzag curves pointing outward to create that fluffy, spiky fur.
These little tufts make his face look soft yet mischievous — the perfect balance for our grumpy holiday character!
Step 6: Complete the Face Shape
Now, connect both sides of the cheeks with a smooth curved line at the bottom. This will form the Grinch’s round face.
Make sure the curve dips slightly in the center to give him that chubby, charming look.
Great job — the Grinch’s head is really starting to take shape!
Step 7: Draw the Face Details
Let’s give the Grinch his mischievous expression! Start by drawing two small oval eyes near the top of his face. Then add a small round nose in the center, just below the eyes.
Finally, draw a long curved smile that stretches across his cheeks, with a short line going up from the middle to connect to his nose. He’s already looking delightfully sneaky!
Step 8: Add the Eyebrows
Now let’s give the Grinch his classic mischievous look! Draw two thick, slightly curved eyebrows above his eyes, angling them downward toward the center to create that sneaky grin expression.
You can also add a few short lines between the brows to suggest a little furrow — perfect for capturing his playful, scheming personality!
Step 9: Draw the Fluffy Parts of the Coat
Let’s start sketching the Grinch’s Santa outfit! Draw a short curved shape just below his head — this will be the fuzzy collar of his coat.
Then, add another larger curved shape a bit lower down for the fluffy trim at the bottom of the jacket. These soft, rounded edges will make his outfit look cozy and festive!
Step 10: Draw the Jacket Outline
Now it’s time to shape the Grinch’s Santa coat! From the bottom of the collar, draw two slightly curved vertical lines going down to meet the top of the lower trim.
Add one straight line down the middle to show the jacket opening. This will make his coat look neat and ready for some Christmas mischief!
Step 11: Add the Fluffy Sleeve Cuffs
Let’s draw the fuzzy cuffs on the Grinch’s sleeves! On each side of his coat, add a short rounded shape that sticks out a little — these will be the fluffy white parts at the ends of his sleeves.
Make them soft and curved, matching the cozy trim style of his hat and coat.
Step 12: Draw the Sleeves
Now let’s complete the Grinch’s sleeves! From each side of the collar, draw a curved line going down to meet the fluffy cuffs you just added.
These rounded lines will make his arms look relaxed at his sides — perfect for showing off his cheerful (and slightly sneaky) Christmas outfit!
Step 13: Draw the Hands
Time to add the Grinch’s little hands! Below each fluffy cuff, draw a short curved line that loops down and back up — these will be his simple mitten-shaped hands resting by his sides.
Keep them small and rounded to match his cute, cartoonish style.
Step 14: Draw the Legs and Feet
Next, let’s give the Grinch his little legs! Below the coat, draw two short lines going down, then curve them forward into simple foot shapes.
Keep the legs short and the feet rounded — this adds to his cute, cartoonish look while keeping his stance steady and balanced.
Step 15: Connect the Legs to the Coat
Let’s tidy up the Grinch’s outfit! Draw two short curved lines connecting the inside of his coat to the tops of his legs.
This small detail makes the coat look like it naturally wraps around his body — now his outfit looks complete and snug for the holidays!
Step 16: Add Festive Background Details
Let’s make the scene more cheerful! Around the Grinch, draw a few fun Christmas elements — a star above, some hearts floating nearby, and a little holly branch with leaves and berries.
These cute background decorations will make your drawing feel extra festive and full of holiday spirit!
Step 17: Color Your Drawing
It’s time to bring your Grinch to life with color! Fill his fur with a bright green shade and add a soft blush of red to his cheeks for a cute touch.
Color his Santa hat and coat red, keeping the trims white. Don’t forget the yellow star and red holly berries!
Once you’re done, you’ll have a cheerful holiday Grinch ready to spread some Christmas mischief and joy!
Tips Before You Start Drawing
Here are a few quick things that make the process smoother — especially if you’re drawing digitally:
- Sketch lightly first if you’re working on paper — it’s easier to adjust shapes as you go.
- Use layers in Procreate or any digital app so you can easily edit mistakes or refine your lines.
- Zoom in for details, but always zoom out to check proportions.
- And most importantly — don’t aim for perfection. Drawing the Grinch is all about having fun and adding personality!
Why I Love Drawing the Grinch
Every time I draw this little green troublemaker, I can’t help but smile. There’s something oddly heartwarming about capturing his grumpy-but-cute face.
When I was sketching this piece, I played a few Christmas songs in the background — and by the time I added the final touches of red to his Santa coat, I was completely in the holiday spirit. It reminded me that art has this magical power to shift your mood and spark creativity, even on the coldest winter day.
If you enjoy cozy, festive drawing projects like this one, you’ll also love these:
- How to Draw a Gingerbread Man – Easy Gingerbread Man Drawing
- How to Draw a Snowman – Cute Snowman Drawing Tutorial
- How to Draw Santa Claus – Cute Santa Claus Drawing Tutorial
Each of these step-by-step guides pairs perfectly with the Grinch — they’re fun, beginner-friendly, and guaranteed to make your sketchbook look like a Christmas storybook.
Join Me on Pinterest
If you’d like to see more of my drawing ideas, tutorials, and seasonal inspiration, come hang out with me on Pinterest:
👉 Digital Drawing Ideas on Pinterest
I share new drawing tutorials regularly — from holiday doodles to cute animals and everyday sketch inspiration.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to draw the Grinch is a fun and relaxing way to get into the holiday mood. With just a few simple lines and some festive colors, you can turn a blank page into a piece of Christmas cheer.
Remember — the magic isn’t in making it perfect; it’s in enjoying the process. So grab your pencils (or stylus), turn on your favorite holiday playlist, and let your creativity flow.
If you try this drawing, I’d love to see it! Share your version on Pinterest or tag me on Instagram @digitaldrawingideas so we can celebrate your Grinchy masterpiece together.
