Learn to Draw Pennywise the Clown Step by Step

Understanding Pennywise's Character Design and Visual Features

Pennywise the Dancing Clown comes from Stephen King's 1986 horror novel "It" and has appeared in multiple film and television adaptations. The character design combines traditional clown elements with unsettling, exaggerated features that make the character memorable and frightening. Understanding the basic structure of Pennywise's face and costume helps you develop a solid foundation before adding detailed elements.

The character's face features a large, round head with an exaggerated smile that stretches across the lower half. The makeup includes white face paint as a base, with red coloring around the mouth and nose area. The eyes are typically dark and intense, often appearing sunken or shadowed. The nose is bulbous and red, following traditional clown design. The hair is wild and orange-red, sticking out in multiple directions from the head.

Pennywise wears a colorful costume consisting of a ruffled collar, a loose-fitting jumpsuit or shirt with large buttons, and often striped or patterned fabric. The costume includes puffy sleeves and exaggerated proportions that make the character appear both comical and disturbing. Large shoes and sometimes pompoms or bells complete the clown outfit. The color palette typically includes bright reds, whites, yellows, and blues, creating strong contrast and visual interest.

When studying reference images of Pennywise from different adaptations, you'll notice variations between the 1990 TV movie version and the 2017 film version. The 2017 version features more angular facial features, enhanced makeup details, and a more menacing expression. These different interpretations provide options depending on which version you want to draw. Collecting several reference photos helps you understand which features are consistent across versions and which are unique to specific adaptations.

Practical Takeaway: Gather 3-5 clear reference images of Pennywise showing front view, side view, and close-ups of the face. Study these references for 10-15 minutes, noting the proportions of the head, the placement of facial features, and the overall costume structure. Create a simple list of the main colors used in the costume and makeup to reference while drawing.

Sketching the Basic Head and Facial Proportions

Starting with basic shapes creates the foundation for an accurate Pennywise drawing. Begin by drawing a circle to represent the main shape of the head. This circle should be fairly large since Pennywise has a distinctly round face. Below the circle, add a slightly smaller curved shape or wedge to suggest the lower jaw and chin area. These two basic shapes form the overall head structure.

Next, divide the head into sections using light guidelines. Draw a horizontal line through the middle of the circle to mark where the eyes should sit. Draw another horizontal line about one-third down from the top circle to help position the nose. These guidelines help maintain proper facial proportions and keep features from becoming misaligned. A vertical center line down the middle helps ensure symmetry, though Pennywise's expression often involves slight asymmetry that adds to the unsettling appearance.

The eyes should sit on the guideline you created, positioned roughly one eye-width apart. Pennywise's eyes are often drawn with dark pupils and intense stares. The eye shape can be slightly almond-shaped or rounded, depending on which version you're drawing. Above each eye, sketch the eyebrows. For Pennywise, these often appear somewhat arched or expressive. Below the eyes, add light shadows or shading to suggest the eye sockets and create that characteristic sunken appearance.

The nose sits on the lower guideline and should be drawn as a large, bulbous shape. This nose is one of Pennywise's defining features and takes up more space than a typical human nose. Add a red or darker shading to this area. The nostrils can be simple circles or ovals. The mouth is the most prominent feature on Pennywise's face, stretching very wide across the lower portion of the face. Start by sketching the basic curved shape of this oversized smile before adding the details of teeth and expression.

Practical Takeaway: On a piece of 8.5x11 inch paper, draw a circle about 4-5 inches in diameter. Add the guidelines described above, then position the basic shapes for eyes, nose, and mouth. Don't worry about details yet—focus only on getting the proportions and placement correct. Compare your sketch to reference images and adjust any features that don't match the proportions you see.

Drawing the Distinctive Facial Features and Expression

Pennywise's face combines clown makeup elements with an intimidating expression. The mouth is the most important feature, as it conveys the character's personality. Begin by refining the basic curved shape you sketched into a more detailed smile. The mouth stretches nearly from one side of the face to the other, much wider than a normal human smile. The upper and lower lips should be rounded and exaggerated, creating a theatrical appearance.

Inside the mouth, sketch horizontal lines to represent individual teeth. Pennywise typically has visible teeth in a broad grin, sometimes appearing sharp or menacing depending on the adaptation. These teeth should be roughly rectangular shapes arranged in rows. Leave small gaps between teeth to create more visual interest and realism. The inside of the mouth can be shaded darker to create depth and shadow. Some artists add a tongue or darker area to suggest the mouth's interior.

For the eyes, move beyond basic shapes to add pupils, iris details, and surrounding structures. The pupils should be dark and positioned to create the look you want—straight ahead, slightly upward, or with one eye appearing different from the other to create an unsettling asymmetry. Add white highlights in the pupils to make the eyes appear shiny and intense. Draw the upper eyelid as a curved line above each eye, and optionally add lower eyelids. Pennywise often has makeup or shading around the eyes that makes them appear sunken or shadowed—add darker shading around the eye socket areas.

The nose requires careful attention to shading and form. Beyond the basic bulbous shape, add nostrils as simple circles or slightly flattened shapes. The bridge of the nose can have a highlight or lighter area down the center to suggest form and roundness. The red coloring of the nose should be more intense than the surrounding white makeup. Consider adding subtle shading to show the three-dimensional form of this prominent feature. The makeup makeup extends from the nose area to the surrounding regions, with red and other colors blending into the white base.

The hair frames the face and adds to the overall unsettling appearance. Sketch wild, spiky strands of hair extending outward in various directions. The hair should appear somewhat chaotic and unkempt rather than neatly styled. Individual strands can be shown with curved lines that overlap and create a sense of volume and movement. The orange-red color of the hair will stand out against the white face makeup when you add color.

Practical Takeaway: Using your proportions sketch from the previous section, spend 20-30 minutes adding the detailed facial features. Focus especially on the mouth and eyes, as these convey Pennywise's expression most powerfully. Erase unnecessary guidelines once you're satisfied with the feature placement. Step back and assess whether the expression matches your reference images.

Adding the Costume, Collar, and Clothing Details

Pennywise's costume is as important as the facial features in creating a recognizable drawing. The most distinctive costume element is the large ruffled collar that sits around the neck area. Start by sketching this collar below the head and neck area. The collar consists of many curved, overlapping layers that create a puffy, ruffled appearance. Each ruffle can be drawn as a curved line, with multiple curved lines stacked to create the layered effect. The collar should frame the neck and extend outward significantly on both sides.

Add horizontal stripes or patterns to the collar to show its fabric texture and construction. These lines should follow the curves of the ruffles, helping to emphasize the three-dimensional form. The collar typically combines red, white, and sometimes yellow or other bright colors. You might draw horizontal sections and plan to color each differently when you add color to the drawing.

Below the collar, sketch the main body of the costume. Pennywise typically wears a loose-fitting jumpsuit or shirt with a front opening. Draw a simple shirt or jacket shape extending down from the collar and shoulders. Add buttons down the center front of the