Easy Steps: Draw St. Francis of Assisi for Kids

Grab your crayons and paper, because we're about to learn how to draw Saint Francis of Assisi, the beloved Christian saint who loved nature and cared for all animals! Saint Francis is a wonderful subject to draw for kids, as it allows them to explore their creativity while learning about an inspiring figure. Let's start with the basics and work our way up to a beautiful drawing step by step.

Before we begin, let's familiarize ourselves with Saint Francis. He was born in Italy in the 13th century and is known for his simple lifestyle, his love for the poor, and his close relationship with God. Saint Francis is often depicted with birds and animals, making him a joyful and engaging figure to draw. Now, let's roll up our sleeves and dive into our first main topic: drawing the face and head.

Drawing the Face and Head

Saint Francis typically has a kind and serene facial expression. Let's start by drawing a simple, round head and neck.

First, draw a large circle for the head. Then, draw a smaller circle for the face within the larger one. Next, draw a large, curved line on the left side of the face for the neck. Now, we have the basic shape of Saint Francis' head and neck!

Drawing the Eyes

Saint Francis' eyes are soft and gentle. Let's draw two slightly slanted ovals for the eyes. Make sure they are symmetrical and place them in the top half of the face.

Within each eye, draw a smaller, thicker oval shape for the pupil. Then, add another small circle within the pupil for the reflection. Finally, draw a small curve at the end of each eye to create a gentle, upturned effect.

Drawing the Mouth and Nose

Saint Francis has a warm and loving smile. Let's draw a curved, stretched-out letter "D" shape for the mouth. Make the bottom line of the "D" a little thicker to give the impression of closed lips.

Position the mouth at the bottom of the face, symmetrical with the eyes. Then, draw a small, horizontal line above the mouth for the nose. Finally, add two small, upward-facing triangles on either side of the nose for the nostrils.

Drawing the Clothing

Saint Francis is often depicted wearing a simple tunic and cloak. Let's draw these garments now.

Starting from the bottom of the neck, draw a long, curved line down to the right side of the page for the tunic. The tunic should be slightly longer at the front than at the back. Then, draw a vertical line down the center of the tunic to create a simple, horizontal crease.

Drawing the Cloak

Now, let's add a cloak over the tunic. Draw a large, semicircular shape starting from the left side of the neck and going down to the right side of the page. The cloak should be longer at the back than at the front.

To create folds in the cloak, draw several wavy lines across it. You can make the lines as wavy as you like, but try to keep them roughly the same thickness. Finally, add a small, rounded triangle at the bottom of the cloak for the hem.

Drawing the Hood

Saint Francis' cloak often has a hood. To draw the hood, add a large, curved triangle-shaped flap at the top left corner of the cloak. Then, draw a small, curved line to create the edge of the hood.

Within the hood, draw another smaller, curved triangle for the inside of the hood. Finally, add some wavy lines inside the hood to create folds and depth.

Drawing Saint Francis with Animals

Now that we have the basic shape of Saint Francis, let's add some animals to our drawing! Saint Francis is often depicted with birds, wolves, and other creatures.

To draw a simple bird, start with an oval shape for the body. Then, add a triangular beak at the front and a small, curved line for the neck. Draw a small, pointed tail at the back and add some wavy lines for the wings. Finally, add a small circle for the eye and a tiny line for the leg.

Drawing a Wolf

To draw a simple wolf, start with a large, oblong shape for the body. Then, add four legs by drawing two curved lines at the front and two curved lines at the back. The legs should be thicker at the base and taper to a point at the end.

Next, draw a long, pointed triangle for the snout and two small, rounded triangles for the ears. Add a small, almond-shaped eye and a tiny line for the mouth. Finally, draw some wavy lines on the body to create fur and depth.

Adding More Animals

Now that you know how to draw a bird and a wolf, you can add even more animals to your drawing of Saint Francis! Try drawing a squirrel, a rabbit, or a fish. The possibilities are endless!

Don't forget to have fun and make your drawing your own! Remember, there's no right or wrong way to draw, so let your creativity shine. Saint Francis would be proud of your artistic efforts!

As you finish your drawing of Saint Francis, take a moment to think about the love and kindness he showed to all living things. Consider how you can show compassion and care for the world around you, just as Saint Francis did. Maybe you can start by feeding the birds in your backyard or helping out at an animal shelter. The possibilities are endless! Happy drawing, and may your heart be as full of love as Saint Francis' was!