puritan hat drawing

Puritan Hat Step-by-Step Drawing Tutorial

By Rachel HernandezOctober 31, 2025

Ever wondered how to capture the essence of the era of Puritanism in a single image? One of the iconic symbols of this period is the Puritan hat, with its distinctive wide brim and stiff, conical crown. Learning to draw a Puritan hat can be a rewarding way to engage with history and improve your drawing skills. But where do you start?

In this article, we'll guide you through the process of drawing a Puritan hat step by step, ensuring that you understand the key features and techniques. Whether you're an art student eager to expand your historical drawing repertoire or an enthusiast looking to improve your skills, this tutorial will provide you with a solid foundation.

Understanding the Puritan Hat

The Puritan hat, also known as a 'round hat' or 'sugar loaf hat', was a design staple during the 16th and 17th centuries. This distinctive headwear, often worn by men and women alike, was characterized by its round, bonnet-like crown and wide, flat brim. Understanding these features is the first step in drawing a convincing Puritan hat.

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a drawing of a man in a hat and coat with a book on his lap

Before we dive into the drawing process, let's explore some historical context. The Puritan hat was not just a fashion statement but a symbol of the Puritan belief in simplicity and modesty. The hat's design, with its lack of ornamentation and exaggerated shape, was a reflection of the plain, unadorned clothing that was considered desirable in Puritan society.

Puritan Hat Design Elements

The Puritan hat has several distinctive design elements that set it apart from other hat styles. These include:

an image of a man dressed in black and white holding a book while wearing a hat

two women wearing hats and scarves are looking at each other

A round, domed crown that is often stiff and stands upright, resembling a sugar loaf.
A wide, flat brim that can sometimes curve up slightly at the edges.
A simple, undecorated design, reflecting the Puritan values of simplicity and austerity.

Familiarizing yourself with these elements will help you capture the unique character of the Puritan hat in your drawing.

Drawing the Basic Shapes

Before you start adding details, it's essential to get the basic shapes of the Puritan hat right. This involves drawing two simple shapes: a circle for the crown and a larger circle or oval for the brim.

Start with a light sketch, using a pencil with a soft lead (HB or 2B). Sketch a small circle for the crown, then draw a larger circle or slightly flattened oval around it for the brim. Don't press too hard on the paper at this stage, as you'll want to be able to erase any mistakes easily.

an old fashioned drawing of two women exchanging gifts to each other, one wearing a hat and the other holding a box with a red ribbon

a drawing of a man wearing a hat and trench coat, with curly hair in the wind

a woman wearing a black hat and holding her hand up to her face while standing in front of a dark background

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Adding Detail and Shading

Once you have the basic shapes down, it's time to start adding detail and bringing your Puritan hat to life. This involves creating the unique, exaggerated shape of the hat and adding subtle shading to create depth and dimension.

One of the key features of the Puritan hat is its stiff, rounded crown. To capture this in your drawing, you'll need to add curves to the initial circle. The top of the crown should be somewhat pointed, reminiscent of a sugar loaf. The brim should be wide and flat, with a slight curve at the edges.

Creating the Sugar Loaf Shape

To create the distinctive sugar loaf shape of the Puritan hat's crown, you'll need to add careful curves to your initial circle. Start at the top of the circle and draw a curve down to either side, then curve back up to meet the starting point. This should give you the basic shape of the crown.

a woman in a dress and hat is standing on a porch with her arms crossed

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Next, draw a straight line across the top of the circle to create the flat top of the hat. Then, use this line and the curves you've drawn as guides to draw a smooth, rounded edge along the bottom of the brim.

Adding Shading and Depth

Shading is a crucial aspect of any drawing, as it helps to create depth and give your Puritan hat a sense of reality. To shade a Puritan hat, start by identifying where the light source is coming from. This will determine where the shadows will fall.

In most cases, you'll want to shade the underside of the brim and the inside of the crown to create a strong contrast with the rest of the hat. You can use cross-hatching (drawing lines across each other) or gradual shading (using increasing pressure and darker pencil strokes) to create depth. Be sure to apply your shading lightly at first, as you can always add more later if needed.

The Final Touches

With the basic shape and shading in place, it's time to add the final touches that will bring your Puritan hat to life. This involves adding details like the hat's string and any additional embellishments.

The Puritan hat, as mentioned earlier, was designed to be simple and unadorned. However, some variations may include a string or ribbon tied beneath the chin for security or decoration. To draw this, simply add a few light lines beneath the brim, with a small loop or bow at the front.

And there you have it – a step-by-step guide to drawing a Puritan hat. With patience and practice, you'll soon be able to capture the unique style and history of this iconic headwear in your drawings. So why not grab your pencil and paper and give it a try? Happy drawing!