Why Drawing Circles is Harder Than It Looks

We’ve all tried to draw a circle and ended up with something that looks more like a squashed egg. Don’t worry – it’s not you! Our hands just aren’t built to make perfect round shapes naturally.

The good news? With a few easy tricks, anyone can learn to draw nice circles. Whether you’re:

• Taking quick notes

• Making art

• Doing school projects

• Just doodling for fun

Simple Ways to Draw Better Circles

1. The Spin-the-Paper Trick

This is my favorite easy method:

1. Put your pencil down where you want the center

2. Keep your hand still

3. Turn the paper with your other hand

4. Let the spinning paper make the circle for you!

Tip: Try this with different sized circles to practice

2. Use Everyday Objects as Stencils

Look around – you probably have perfect circles everywhere:

• Bottle caps

• Coins

• Glasses

• Jar lids

Just trace around them! No one will know you didn’t do it freehand.

3. The Two-Pencil Method

No compass? No problem!

1. Tape two pencils together

2. Keep one pencil as the center point

3. Rotate the other pencil around it

4. Adjust the space between pencils to change size

Freehand Tips for When You Can’t Use Tools

If you need to draw a circle without help:

• Rest your hand on the table

• Move from your shoulder, not your wrist

• Go slowly at first

• Practice by filling a page with circles

Remember: Even artists don’t always draw perfect circles on the first try!

Common Questions

Q: How can I make my circles smoother?
A: Try using a pen instead of pencil – the ink glides better.

Q: What’s the easiest way to draw big circles?
A: Tie a string to a pencil, hold the other end down, and swing the pencil around.

Q: Why do my circles look lopsided?
A: You’re probably pressing too hard. Try lighter strokes.

Practice Makes Better

No one draws perfect circles right away. Here’s a fun way to practice:

1. Draw 10 circles every day

2. Circle your best one each time

3. Watch how much better you get!

Need More Help?

Download our free “Circle Drawing Cheat Sheet” with:

• Printable circle guides

• Step-by-step pictures

• More easy tricks

You Might Also Like:

• How to Draw Straight Lines Perfectly

• Easy Sketching Tips for Beginners

• Fun Doodle Ideas for Notes