How to Draw a Christmas Pudding: Easy 10-Step Guide

Bring some holiday cheer to your sketchbook with this festive Christmas pudding tutorial. Designed for artists ages 5 and up, this project requires only a pencil, eraser, and paper to create a classic seasonal treat. Follow along to practice your curved line work and shading techniques.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A colorful, festive illustration of a Christmas pudding topped with holly and icing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Base

A light pencil sketch showing a single curved line forming the base of a Christmas pudding.

Draw a long, curved line shaped like a toppled 'C' to form the bottom of your pudding. Teacher's Tip: Keep this line light and loose; it acts as the foundation for the entire shape.

Step 2: Closing the Shape

The pudding shape is closed with a second curved line, creating a rounded dome.

Draw a second curved line over the top of the first, connecting the ends to create a rounded, dome-like shape. Tip: Imagine you are drawing a slightly squashed circle.

Step 3: Adding the Icing

A wavy line is drawn across the top of the pudding to define the icing layer.

Draw a wavy line across the top portion of the pudding. This represents the thick, sweet icing dripping down the sides. Tip: Vary the height of the waves to make the icing look natural.

Step 4: Refining the Icing

The top of the pudding is cleaned up by erasing the guide line and adding a smooth icing top.

Erase the original top line above your wavy line. Replace it with a smooth, rounded curve to finish the top mound of icing. Tip: Use a soft eraser to avoid smudging your paper.

Step 5: Drawing Holly Berries

Three small circles are drawn on top of the pudding to represent holly berries.

Draw three small circles clustered together on top of the icing. These are your holly berries. Tip: Draw them slightly overlapping to make them look like a real bunch.

Step 6: First Holly Leaf

A prickly holly leaf is drawn next to the berries with a central vein line.

Draw a prickly leaf shape using a series of connected curved lines. Add a line down the center for the leaf vein. Tip: Keep the points of the leaf sharp to contrast with the round berries.

Step 7: Second Holly Leaf

A second holly leaf is added to the cluster, creating a balanced look.

Add a second leaf extending from the berries. Use the same prickly technique as before. Tip: Try angling this leaf in a different direction to add movement to your drawing.

Step 8: Final Holly Leaf

The final holly leaf is added, completing the festive garnish on top of the pudding.

Draw your third and final holly leaf. Erase any lines from the pudding or berries that are hidden behind the leaves. Tip: Clean lines make the final drawing look professional.

Step 9: Adding Texture

Small ovals and curved lines are added to the pudding to show fruit texture.

Add small 'C' shapes and ovals on the body of the pudding to represent raisins and fruit. Tip: Don't overdo it; a few scattered shapes look more realistic than a crowded surface.

Step 10: Coloring Time

The finished Christmas pudding drawing, fully colored with brown, white, red, and green.

Bring your drawing to life with color! Use dark brown for the pudding, white for the icing, and bright red and green for the holly. Tip: Use a darker shade of brown on the bottom edge to create a simple shadow effect.