How to Draw a Knight Helmet: Easy 10-Step Guide

Ready to gear up for a medieval adventure? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5+ looking to draw a classic knight's helmet. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and some paper to bring this piece of armor to life.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished illustration of a medieval knight helmet with a flowing plume.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Helmet Base

Pencil sketch showing two overlapping curved lines forming the dome of a knight's helmet.

Draw two long, overlapping curved lines to form the main dome of the helmet. Teacher's Tip: Keep your lines light and loose; since this is the foundation, you'll want to be able to erase any overlapping marks later.

Step 2: Defining the Visor

Drawing the angular shape of the knight helmet visor using connected curved lines.

Use a series of curved lines that meet at points to outline the front visor. Teacher's Tip: Imagine the visor is like a shield for the face; make sure your lines are bold to show where the metal plate begins.

Step 3: Creating the Eye Slit

Adding a narrow rectangular eye slit and a curved contour line to the helmet visor.

Draw a narrow, bent rectangle on the visor to create the eye slit. Add a curved contour line above it. Teacher's Tip: Keep the slit thin—this is where the knight peers out to spot dragons!

Step 4: Adding Vents and Hinges

Detailing the helmet with diagonal vent rectangles and a circular hinge bolt.

Sketch diagonal rectangles for the vent-tail and a small circle on the corner for the hinge. Teacher's Tip: The circle represents the bolt that allows the visor to flip up. Press firmly with your pencil to make the bolt pop.

Step 5: Drawing the Gorget

Sketching the gorget neck guard using smooth, overlapping curved lines.

Outline the gorget, the neck-protecting piece, using overlapping curved lines. Teacher's Tip: Think of this as a collar made of metal; keep the curves smooth to mimic the shape of shoulders.

Step 6: Adding Armor Details

Adding structural lines and bolt details to the gorget neck guard.

Add horizontal lines and small circles to the gorget to represent bolts. Teacher's Tip: These little circles add realism—they show how the armor is held together!

Step 7: Starting the Plume

Adding a diagonal line to the gorget and starting the plume base on the helmet top.

Draw a diagonal line on the gorget and start sketching the base of the plume on top of the helmet. Teacher's Tip: Use a light touch for the plume base so you can layer the 'feathers' over it later.

Step 8: Creating the Plume Texture

Drawing a fluffy plume on the helmet using varied U-shaped lines.

Use 'U' shaped lines to create a fluffy, cloud-like texture for the plume. Teacher's Tip: Vary the size of your 'U' shapes to make the feathers look natural and soft.

Step 9: Finalizing the Plume

Finalizing the plume shape with tapered lines and added texture details.

Complete the plume by tapering the lines to a point. Add extra curved lines for texture. Teacher's Tip: A sharp point at the top makes the plume look like it's flowing in the wind!

Step 10: Adding Color

A fully colored cartoon knight helmet with silver armor and a vibrant red plume.

Bring your knight to life with color! Use silver or grey for the metal and bold reds or purples for the plume. Teacher's Tip: Color in one direction to keep your drawing looking neat and professional.