How to Draw Big Ben: Easy 10-Step Guide for Kids

Bring a piece of London to your sketchbook with this fun, architectural drawing lesson. Designed for ages 7+, this activity uses basic geometric shapes to build the iconic clock tower. Grab a pencil, a ruler, and an eraser to get started on your masterpiece.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished illustration of Big Ben, perfect for young artists to reference.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Establishing the Base

Pencil sketch showing the initial rectangular base of the Big Ben tower on white paper.

Start by sketching a central rectangle near the bottom of your page. Add narrower rectangles stacked on top and below to create the tower's foundation. Teacher's Tip: Use a ruler to keep your vertical lines straight—it makes the tower look much more professional!

Step 2: The Clock Face

Drawing the circular clock face and surrounding frame details on the tower structure.

Draw a circle inside the upper square to represent the clock face, then add a smaller circle inside it to create a ring. Add straight lines extending from the ring to define the clock's frame. Tip: If your circle isn't perfect, don't worry—you can trace a small coin to get a clean shape.

Step 3: Adding Clock Hands

Close-up of the clock face with hour markers and hands added.

Sketch straight lines inside the clock ring to mark the hours. Add two hands pointing to any time you like. Tip: Keep the hands thick so they stand out clearly against the background.

Step 4: Creating Architectural Details

Adding decorative arch details to the upper portion of the clock tower.

Draw straight lines inside the upper sections of the tower, then sketch small, even 'hills' or arches underneath each line. Tip: Take your time to ensure the arches are spaced evenly; this creates the illusion of the tower's ornate stonework.

Step 5: The Tower Roofline

Sketching the small decorative roof structures at the top of the tower.

Add seven small boxes with triangles on top to mimic the tower's decorative roofline. Fill in small rectangles inside each box for depth. Tip: Use a light touch with your pencil here so you can easily erase any overlapping lines later.

Step 6: Adding Spires

Adding the pointed spires and oval decorative elements to the tower top.

Sketch triangles above the small rectangles. Draw an oval on each side to represent the tower's side spires, connecting them with straight lines. Tip: Keep your lines sharp to maintain the building's geometric look.

Step 7: Finalizing the Peak

Drawing the final spire and cross details at the very top of the clock tower.

Add more ovals attached to vertical lines near the very top. Sketch a small cross on a circle and a narrow cylinder to finish the spire. Tip: This is the most detailed part, so slow down and focus on the symmetry of the top piece.

Step 8: Adding Atmosphere

Adding fluffy cloud outlines behind the completed tower sketch.

Sketch more lines and cylinders to refine the tower's body. Use soft, wavy lines to outline a fluffy cloud behind your tower. Tip: Clouds should be loose and organic, contrasting with the rigid, straight lines of the building.

Step 9: Completing the Scene

Finalizing the drawing by adding more clouds to the background.

Add a few more fluffy clouds around the tower to complete the composition. Tip: Vary the size of your clouds to make the sky look more natural.

Step 10: Adding Color

The finished, colored drawing of Big Ben with a blue sky and gray-shaded clouds.

Outline your drawing with a black pen for a clean finish. Color the tower in shades of pale yellow and tan, using gray for the shadows on the clouds. Tip: Use a light blue for the sky to make the tan tower pop!