How to Draw Merida
Use the video and step-by-step drawing instructions below to learn how to draw Princess Merida from Disney•Pixar's Brave. A new cartoon drawing tutorial is uploaded every week, so stay tooned!
Intro: Start off with a pencil sketch. In the beginning stages, don’t press down too hard. Use light, smooth strokes for sketching.
Step 1: Start by drawing a circle near the top of the page. This will be the basic shape for Merida's head. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s just a guide.
Step 2: Next, draw two intersecting lines across the circle, one vertical and one horizontal. Bend the lines so that they contour to the shape. Under the long horizontal line, draw two smaller lines. These will be construction lines that will help you place Merida's facial features later on.
Step 3: Draw two small shapes similar to little footballs as guides for Merida's eyes. Draw them sitting on top of the horizontal construction line and on either side of the vertical construction line. The shape on the right should be a bit smaller because of perspective.
Step 4: Under the head, draw a couple of curved lines as guides for Merida's neck and shoulders.
Step 5: That’s it for the initial sketch! You have the basic shape of Princess Merida from Brave. Now go in and tighten your drawing. From this point on, press harder with your pencil in order to get darker lines and a more defined sketch.
Step 6: Darken the shapes of Merida's eyes using a thicker line. Draw another thinner line on top of the eye for her eyelashes. Princess Merida's eyelashes are light-colored, so don't shade them in as you would in other drawings.
Step 7: Inside each eye, draw acircle for Merida's irises. Draw a big dot for the pupils inside each iris.
Step 8: Above each eye, draw a long shape for Merida's eyebrows. The eyebrows come to a point at the sides. Her eyebrows are light-colored too, so use thin strokes to draw them and don't shade them in.
Step 9: Draw Merida's nose using the lines as guides for placement. Draw a line close to the eye on the right for the bridge of the nose. Draw a series of small curved lines sitting on top of the small construction line for the structure of Merida's nose and nostrils.
Step 10: Draw Merida's lips right on top of the small horizontal construction line on the bottom. The upper lip is a long thin shape under her nose. The lower lip is two curved lines under the top lip. Curve the lines upward to create Merida's smile.
Step 11: Merida's hair can be a little tricky, so it's divided into four steps. Merida has a lot of curly hair, but don't draw every individual hair strand. Instead, draw the basic outline of Merida's hair. Start with a series of wavy lines on the left side of the head. Start the lines at the top where the vertical construction line is, then draw them down below the shoulder. The shape of the lines don't have to be exactly as in the example, just in the same general area.
Step 12: Continue adding random squiggly lines at the bottom. You can make Merida's hair longer if you'd like. Then move up the left side of Merida's head and end the curved lines above her head.
Step 13: Now draw the right side of Merida's hair by continuing the series of wavy lines where you left off in the previous step and drawing them down below the shoulder on the right side.
Step 14: Finish drawing Merida's hair by drawing the inside portion of it on the right side. Draw the big thick curl at the top of her head. Then draw the section under the top of the main circle that connects to the hair on the previous step. Remember the hair can be a bit tricky, so be patient as you draw it, pay close attention to the example and take your time.
Step 15: Use the initial shape as a guide to draw the rest of Merida's face. Follow the basic path of the circle as you darken the line. Dip the line in toward the eye to create Merida's cheek and on the lower right side to create the jawline.
Step 16: Darken the lines to create Merida's neck. Under the neck, draw a wavy line to represent the top of the dress. Then draw the detail under it by adding a few X-shaped lines to the top opening of the dress.
Step 17: That’s it! You now have a nice sketch of Princess Merida from Brave. You can stop at this quick drawing for a rough, sketchy look or go for a more finished look by continuing to the step below.
Step 18: For a more finished, inked look, carefully draw over the final sketch lines with a pen or marker. Wait for the ink to dry, and then get rid of every pencil mark with an eraser. You now have a finished inked drawing of Merida! You can stop here or go to the final step to complete your Merida drawing.
Final Step: For a completely finished Merida drawing, you have to color it. You can use markers, color pencils or even crayons! Merida is a redhead, so you can color her hair red-orange or use a blend of orange, red and yellow for a more hair-like texture. Merida's skin is peach, but if you don't have peach, improvise and use yellow-orange or light brown. Experiment! Her eyes are blue-green, and her dress is dark green. That’s it! You now have a completed drawing of Merida from Disney•Pixar's Brave movie.
