George Washington Drawing: Easy Step-by-Step How to Draw Art Lesson for Kids

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Here you’ll find an easy step-by-step art lesson video for how to draw George Washington and a George Washington Coloring Page.

George Washington Drawing

Understanding George Washington’s Original Portrait (for Kids)

Have you ever looked closely at a one-dollar bill? The face you see is George Washington, and it comes from a famous portrait painted long ago by an artist named Gilbert Stuart. That painting helped Americans remember what Washington looked like, so it became the model for many pictures of him. When you draw George Washington, you’re doing something artists have done for hundreds of years—using art to record history!

In this lesson, you’ll draw Washington’s face in a 3/4 view. That means his head is turned a little, not facing straight forward. A 3/4 view was a popular pose in the 1700s because it makes a person look more real and important. It also lets you see more of the shape of the nose, cheek, and jaw.

To make your drawing look like George Washington, focus on the details that help people recognize him. One of the biggest clues is his hair. In Washington’s time, men often brushed their hair back neatly and used powder to make it look lighter. That’s why Washington’s hair looks white in many portraits. His hair is usually pulled back and tied behind his head with a ribbon. Sometimes it looks like a wig, but it was a real hairstyle people wore back then!

Here are a few “artist tricks” to help your 3/4 view look right:
• One eye will be a little closer to the edge of the face.
• The far eye may look a tiny bit smaller because it’s farther away.
• The nose points slightly toward the turned side.

If you’re younger or want a simpler style, you can also draw a cartoon George Washington. A cartoon version still has the important clues—turned head, white pulled-back hair, and a fancy collar—but with simpler shapes. No matter which version you choose, you’re practicing careful looking and building strong portrait-drawing skills.

George Washington’s Childhood and Early Life (for Kids)

Before George Washington was famous, he was a kid just like you. He was born on February 22, 1732, in Virginia. Life was very different back then—no cars, no TVs, and no iPads! Kids helped their families a lot, and George grew up doing chores and spending time outdoors. He learned to ride horses, work hard, and be responsible.

George didn’t go to school the same way kids do today, but he still learned many important skills. He practiced reading, writing, and math. When he got older, he trained to be a surveyor, which means he measured land and made maps. Surveyors had to be careful and accurate—kind of like an artist who has to look closely and draw what they see!

You might have heard a story about George chopping down a cherry tree and saying, “I cannot tell a lie.” People like the story because it teaches honesty. Historians aren’t sure if it really happened, but it reminds us that many people thought Washington was a person with strong character.

Here are five important things George Washington is known for:
• He was the first President of the United States.
• He led the army during the American Revolution.
• He helped leaders write the U.S. Constitution.
• He didn’t try to become a king—he gave up power when he was done.
• He is called the “Father of His Country” because he helped the United States get started.

As you draw, think about what your portrait shows. Does your George Washington look calm and serious like the portraits? Even if you draw a cartoon George Washington, include the famous clues—his turned face, pulled-back white hair, and fancy collar—so everyone knows who you drew.

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Materials

Step by Step Directions

George Washington Coloring Page

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