How to Draw a Pagoda: Step-by-Step Japanese Template Drawing Lesson for Kids
Here’s an easy step-by-step how to draw a Pagoda for elementary students. Just brush water over the marker lines to get this pretty look!
Drawing a pagoda is a great way for kids to explore both art and culture. These temple structures, with their layered roofs and symmetrical design, are perfect for teaching lines, proportion, and basic architectural shapes.
Starting with a simple sketch or outline in pencil, students follow a step-by-step process to build the layers of the pagoda, often focusing on the distinctive shape of each roof. As they refine their drawing in marker or color it in, kids also build patience, focus, and confidence. It’s a rewarding lesson that combines art with cultural learning—making it both visually engaging and meaningful.
Painting a pagoda with watercolors, on the other hand, can be a bit tricky. Those lines on the roof are pretty important but could be hard to do with a brush. The solution? Draw them with a blue water-based marker so students can control the lines a bit better, and then brush lightly with water to create a painterly look.
The Origins of Pagodas
The origin of the pagoda can be traced to the stupa (3rd century BCE). The stupa, a dome shaped monument, was used as a commemorative monument to house sacred relics and writings. In East Asia, the architecture of Chinese towers and Chinese pavilions blended into pagoda architecture, eventually also spreading to Southeast Asia. Their construction was popularized by the efforts of Buddhist missionaries, pilgrims, rulers, and ordinary devotees to honor Buddhist relics.
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How to Paint a Pagoda Step by Step Materials
- Watercolor paper
- Markers, water based (not permanent!)
- Paint brush
How to Draw a Pagoda Directions
Time needed: 1 hour
Easy Pagoda Painting
- Make guidelines. Draw a rectangle.
- Add a taller rectangle on top.
- Draw a smaller rectangle above those.
- Connect the shapes with roof lines.
- Add another layer and connect with roof lines.
- Add a cap shape and connect with roof lines.
- Fill the sections with lines as shown.
- Add a background.
- Trace the pencil drawing with a water-based marker. Lightly brush with wet brush, just enough to make the color bleeds.
How to Draw a Pagoda
