How to draw a tombstone: base sketch step by step
Step 1: Draw the tombstone base shape
First, draw a simple, flat baseline for the ground.
Then draw the tombstone base shape like an upside-down “U”. Our tombstone is leaning sideways, to enhance the feeling of a neglected old tombstone that is falling apart.
Step 2: Draw the tombstone side
Next, add some thickness to the tombstone. Just double up the curved edge on one side.
Here we are also sketching some grass that grows on the sides of the tombstone, just to add some extra detail to the simple tombstone drawing.
How to draw a tombstone: outline the drawing step by step
Step 1: Draw the ground under the tombstone
Let’s start outlining and improving the simple tombstone sketch. Start by drawing the ground under the tombstone. The grass is a direct outline of the sketch. Then add a few small stones here and there.
Finally, draw the ground as a wobbly line roughly following the sketched baseline between the grass and stones.
Step 2: Draw the cracks on the tombstone's front face
Now it is time to turn the smooth stone into the cracked and crumbling old tombstone. Outline the front face of the tombstone, but break the edge line here and there with a range of cracks.
As you can see, the cracks are mainly wobbly “V” notches, some small, some large, some wide, some narrow. Add an occasional “W” crack for more variety. The larger cracks then continue deeper into the tombstone face with a narrow crack line from the tip of the “V” notch.
Step 3: Draw the cracks on the tombstone side
Let’s add a 3D feel to our cracks. The sides of the cracks that cut all the way through the stone are drawn almost as a straight line going at 45 degrees to the top left – do this for the double line at the top and all the right side cracks in our drawing.
Then we have the cracks that are just a chipped out edge – those close back in a “V” shape on the side of the stone, similar to the cracks on the front face.
Step 4: Draw the rear edge of the tombstone
The last line to draw is the rear edge of the tombstone. Split the line for the cracks that go all the way through the tombstone. And again, add some more of the small chips and notches to break the smooth edge.
Step 5: Add the tombstone letterring and texture
Here are few last details to improve on our tombstone drawing.
Add some lettering to the tombstone – the usual “Rest In Peace” fits just fine and is easy to write.
Fill the side cracks in black to make them stand out more. Finally, add some texture to the tombstone drawing – just short lines going in one direction.
How to draw a tombstone: finished drawing
How to draw a tombstone: finished outline drawing
And here is the cleaned-up result of our “how to draw a tombstone” tutorial, after we have erased the sketch lines – a spooky, ancient, crumbling tombstone, a perfect addition to your Halloween drawings collection.
Tombstone drawing coloured-in
The last step is to colour in our tombstone drawing. Now, there is not much colour in the grey stone, so just add some shading: some darker grey on the side and around the bottom of the stone.
We have coloured in the ground and grass as dried out yellow, to maintain the dying atmosphere while adding some warm colour to the drawing.
Finally, we have drawn the black starry night background just to keep the dark Halloween theme. You can check the “How to draw a star” tutorial to learn a simple and quick way to draw those stars.
