How to Draw a Paper Doll

Last Updated: December 4, 2022

Getting older every year yet there is one thing some people cannot seem to outgrow: dolls. Some people, especially teens, are ashamed to still like dolls as they get older. This article will teach you how to make an inexpensive doll that is easily brought with you and easily hidden.

Steps

1
Draw your doll on paper or cardstock. This heavier paper is the best choice when making something that you want to last.
2
Draw any kind of doll you want. You could make your doll an animal if you wish. It's a little easier to make clothing and accessories for a human doll though.

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3
Color it in if you want to.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Draw your doll

1
Do not make your doll with long hair, even for a girl doll unless you really want to. It is fun and easier to make wigs, hats or other hair accessories. It is also easier to place tabs on the doll (if you use tabs).
2
Try covering your doll with contact paper. It will last longer that way.
3
Try making a doll of your favorite movie star, your family or yourself. You can have a lot of fun making yourself a wedding dress or something like that. Use your imagination.
4
You can either leave your doll uncut or you can cut out your doll. If you chose not to cut out your doll, lay a piece of paper over your doll (make sure you can see your doll under the paper) and trace around the body to make outfits. Cut out doll when finished making clothes. If you cut out your doll right away, trace around the body again like using the doll as sort of a stencil. Make as many outfits as you want. And accessories too! You can also add tabs to the clothes if you wish. If you decide not to use tabs, try covering your clothes in contact paper like the doll. You can tape the clothes/accessories onto the doll, and reuse the tape a few times.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Clothing and Accessories

1
You can look for materials, beads, sequins, yarn etc. around the house and glue them to your clothes so you don’t have to draw everything. It is hard to get details on clothes sometimes. You can decorate wigs with yarn or fabric if you like.
2
Use themes to help you make clothes if you are feeling uncreative. Here are some ideas: think about all the stuff you do when you wake up in the morning. Draw a bed, make a wig with messy hair, draw your favorite breakfast food etc.
3
Think of your favorite holiday and make clothes/accessories to go along with that holiday.
4
Draw clothes to suit your mood.
5
Store dolls in a shoebox. You can decorate it if you like. You could make backgrounds for your dolls too. If you do make yourself a wedding dress, make a background of the inside a church. Add preacher and a groom. Draw your bedroom or a made up place. Have fun once again. Have a good time with your paper dolls.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I hang clothes on the paper doll?

Community Answer

You can use tape, staples, or paperclips to secure clothes to your doll.
Question

What if a cut part of the parer doll by mistake? How can I fix it?

Elizabeth Bolster

Community Answer

You can always tape it back together with clear tape so it isn't as noticeable.
Question

How to apply makeup?

Otterly Badgerific

Top Answerer

You could draw makeup on a fashion paper doll if you'd like. However, it would be permanent once drawn on. It is not possible to use actual makeup on a paper doll, as this would ruin the paper. What might be possible is to cover a paper doll with laminate that can allow you to use markers to add on "makeup" and then wipe it clean later but that would still be messy and the doll's face is usually too small to do it delicately.