How to Draw a Viking Head

Time needed: 30 minutes

How to Draw a Viking Head

1. Create the basic shape of the head.

   Begin with the foundational structure of the Viking’s head by sketching a vertical oval. This oval provides a guideline for the head’s proportions, ensuring that the facial features are appropriately aligned. Keep the lines light and easy to adjust; this initial step is about establishing the basic form.
   

2. Illustrate the eyes of the viking.

   Inside the upper half of the oval, draw two small, evenly spaced ovals for the eyes. These ovals should be horizontally aligned with each other to maintain symmetry. They don’t need to be perfect as the Viking’s intense gaze will be refined in later steps.
   

3. Add the eyebrows and nose.

   First draw the nose that located right between the eyes from the previous step. For the eyebrows, create thick, expressive geometric figures above each eye, slanting them to convey a stern or aggressive expression, typical of a Viking’s fierce demeanor.
   

4. Illustrate the viking helmet.

   Draw the Viking’s helmet by adding a band that wraps around the forehead, just above the eyebrows. Ensure that it follows the head’s curvature. Above this band, place two curved horns that sweep outward and upward, which are iconic to the stylized image of a Viking.
   

5. Erase the guidelines from the top of the head.

   In the eye ovals, add the pupils, ensuring they are centered to give the Viking a focused look. Then, carefully erase any unnecessary guidelines from the top of the head where the helmet now sits. The pupils will bring life to the eyes, and the erasure of guidelines will clean up the image.
   

6. Start drawing the beard.

   Illustrate the Viking’s beard with a series of curved lines that emanate from the face’s lower half and join beneath the chin. The lines should be varied in length and curve to mimic the natural flow of hair. The beard is an important element of the Viking persona.
   

7. Add the moustache.

   Draw two bushy shapes that start from under the nose and spread across the upper lip, curling at the ends. The moustache should blend seamlessly into the beard, creating a continuous line of facial hair. This addition further defines the Viking’s rugged facial features and contributes to the warrior’s stern expression.
   

8. Draw the lip and the cheekbone.

   Sketch the Viking’s mouth as a firm line beneath the moustache, giving the impression of a closed and resolute expression. Next, draw a line on the side of the face that represents the top edge of the beard. These lines add depth and detail, emphasizing the Viking’s strong jawline and battle-hardened visage.
   

9. Refine your artwork.

   With the main features in place, carefully erase all remaining construction lines from the initial oval. This step is about refining the drawing, removing any distractions from the facial features and the helmet. The focus should be on a clean image that clearly showcases the detailed work done in the previous steps.
   

10. Color the Viking head.

    Start with a warm skin tone that reflects the rugged, outdoor life of a Norse warrior. The helmet can be shaded with metallic grays and silvers to suggest its hardy construction. The beard and hair should be given vibrant hues of red or brown, common colors in Viking imagery.