How to Draw a Graduation Cap: Easy 10-Step Guide

Celebrate academic achievements by drawing your own graduation cap! This tutorial is perfect for artists ages 5 and up. You will only need a pencil, an eraser, and your favorite markers or crayons to complete this fun, screen-free art project.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A completed, colorful drawing of a graduation cap with a tassel, set against a clean background.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Top Square

A light pencil sketch of a rhombus representing the top surface of a graduation cap.

Start by drawing a rhombus—a slanted square with equal sides. This forms the flat mortarboard top. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the shape if needed.

Step 2: Adding Depth to the Top

Adding short lines to the rhombus to give the graduation cap a three-dimensional look.

Draw short lines parallel to two sides of the rhombus and connect them to the corners. This creates the 'thickness' of the board. Teacher's Tip: Think of this as drawing the edge of a book cover.

Step 3: Sketching the Cap Base

Two diagonal lines extending downward from the top of the graduation cap.

Draw two diagonal lines descending from the top section. Make sure they angle slightly outward. Teacher's Tip: Use a ruler if you struggle with straight lines, but freehand is great for practice!

Step 4: Closing the Cap

A curved line connecting the bottom of the cap sides to form the base.

Connect the bottom of your diagonal lines with a soft, curved line. This creates the opening where the head goes. Teacher's Tip: A gentle curve makes the cap look more natural and less like a box.

Step 5: Drawing the Tassel Button

A small oval button drawn in the center of the graduation cap top.

Draw a small oval in the center of the top square. Add a tiny curved line inside to give it volume. Teacher's Tip: This is the anchor point for your tassel, so place it right in the middle.

Step 6: Sketching the Tassel String

Parallel curved lines representing the string of the tassel hanging off the cap.

Draw two parallel curved lines flowing from the button to the edge of the cap. Teacher's Tip: Imagine the string is made of soft fabric—let it 'droop' naturally over the side.

Step 7: Cleaning Up

The drawing after erasing unnecessary guide lines for a clean look.

Carefully erase any overlapping lines where the tassel string meets the cap edge. Teacher's Tip: Use a clean eraser to keep your drawing looking professional and crisp.

Step 8: Starting the Tassel

Adding a circle and ovals to begin drawing the tassel fringe.

Draw a circle at the end of the string, followed by small, flattened ovals below it. Teacher's Tip: These ovals create the 'fringe' effect of the tassel.

Step 9: Adding Tassel Texture

Adding fine details and zigzag lines to complete the texture of the graduation tassel.

Extend long, curved lines from the tassel and connect them with a zigzag pattern at the bottom. Add small lines for texture. Teacher's Tip: Vary the length of your lines to make the tassel look like real thread.

Step 10: Adding Color

The finished graduation cap drawing, colored in with a dark cap and a bright tassel.

Color your cap! Black is traditional, but feel free to use your school's colors. Teacher's Tip: Use a metallic gold marker for the tassel to make it pop against the dark cap.