In this lesson, I’ve put together two simple methods to show you how to draw a vampire, one of the most recognizable monsters.

How to Draw a Vampire: Introduction

I created this lesson on drawing a vampire because this character is widely recognized and often appears in stories, films, and illustrations.

In folklore, a vampire is an immortal figure associated with the night, which makes it an interesting subject to sketch in a simplified form.

While working through the steps, pay attention to conveying the correct facial expression, as it helps set the overall tone of the drawing. This will also help you strengthen your observational skills.

The vampire in this guide is shown in a very simplified style, where the head is intentionally larger than the body. The entire drawing is divided into nine clear steps based on basic shapes and uncomplicated lines.

Any object can be represented through a combination of simple forms, so take your time and follow each instruction carefully.

Vampire Drawing Tutorial

Materials

Pencil
Paper
Eraser
Coloring supplies

Time needed: 35 minutes

How to draw a vampire step by step

Outline Dracula’s head and body shapes.
Starting with simple shapes creates a clear basic parts for the rest of the character. Sketch a large circle for the vampire’s head, keeping the outline smooth and even. Right below it, draw a rounded rectangular shape for the body. The bottom of this shape should be flat for the feet.
Sketch the hairline and pointed ears.
The hairstyle and ears are vary important parts of the vampire’s image. So, start drawing the vampire’s face sketching the curved shape of the hairline inside the head circle. This hairline has a smooth central dip that gives the head its distinctive look. Add two pointed ears by sketching small outward curves on each side of the head. Keep the ears roughly level with each other.
Draw the facial features of the vampire.
Now, draw the evil eyes as two small oval shapes, trying to create the classic vampire look. Add two small eyebrows above the eyes. Draw a simple pointed nose using a smooth line, placing it just below the eyes. Then sketch a smile with a simple curve. You can also add small fangs.
Sketch the collar and small bow tie.
The high collar is one of the most recognizable parts of a classic vampire design. To indicate it, sketch the curved shape of this part behind the head. Keep the angles similar on both sides. Next, draw the bow tie right below the chin.
Draw the vampire’s lower body and legs.
Now, sketch a horizontal line across the lower part of the torso to mark the top of the pants. Then sketch the legs as two short, simple shapes, adding a small arch between the legs to separate them visually. At the bottom of the legs, sketch the simplified shoes.
Sketch the arms and rounded hands.
To complete the main body outline, sketch the arms on both sides using simple curved shapes. These arms should have very simple shapes. Make sure both arms are roughly the same size. At the bottom of the arms, draw the hands as a couple of simplified shapes.
Sketch the cape of Dracula.
Now, to draw the cape of Dracula, extend two curved lines downward from the collar, following the angle of the arms but widening slightly as they reach the bottom. Connect these lines with gentle curves to form the lower edge of the cape, giving it a recognizable appearance.
Finalize the outline of the vampire.
Before moving to color, give the basic vampire drawing a finished look. Trace over the sketch with smooth, deliberate lines. Erase any construction marks, including the head circle guideline, the inner shapes of the torso, and any overlapping sketch lines from earlier steps. If any lines appear uneven or too thick, redraw them clearly and steadily.
Add color to the vampire drawing.
To paint the drawing of Dracula, use dark gray or black for the hair and clothes, a deep red for the collar, cape interior, and bow tie, and a soft beige, light peach, or light green tone for the skin. Keep the colors flat and even.

Additional Content

Here you can find the traditional free PDF version of the manual with all the extra features including the manual itself, a coloring page, a tracing sheet, and a grid drawing sheet.

Be sure to download this PDF on how to draw a vampire so that you can return to the lesson at any time and draw a vampire again, even if the Internet is unavailable.

Vampire Drawing Worksheets