How to Draw a Donut

This is a simple step-by-step tutorial that shows how to draw a donut. The whole process is broken down into five very simple and short stages.

Despite the simplicity, the final result will look quite realistic. The donut will have soft shadows, that make the sketch look very realistic and dimensional.

If you want to take it further, try adding extra shading or refining the transitions between light and shadow to make the drawing look more three-dimensional.

How to draw a donut step by step

Step 1: Sketch the basic donut shape

First sketch out the outlines of the donut in the form of an oval. The donut shape is ready. Since this is the first step, try not to press too hard on the pencil. The lines should be as light as possible so that you can easily make changes to the donut drawing in the next steps.

Step 2: Draw the donut hole

In the center of the figure that you have just sketched, draw an ellipse. It will be a donut hole. The lines of this stage should also be performed using really light lines and this shape should be centered. The donut sketch is ready, and starting from the third stage you will start working with the details.

Step 3: Draw out the donut dripping glaze

Begin detailing the donut drawing with the glaze. Using long, continuous, and smooth lines, carefully draw out the glaze as it drips down, leaving drops of varying lengths. Vary the size and placement of the drops to create a convincing and realistic donut drawing.

Step 4: Detail the lower edge of the dough

Now finish the bottom of the donut, drawing the dough using uneven and bumpy line to simulate a baked texture. Avoid using too smooth lines. Also, erase any unnecessary sketches from your donut drawing, leaving only the most basic outlines of the sketch. Correct and refine the contours and proportions if necessary.

Step 5: Add shadows with hatching

So, it’s time to add shadows and make the donut drawing really three-dimensional. But first, add the remaining textures to the lower part of the donun. As in our previous lessons, we recommend adding the shadows using hatching (for example as in the tutorial on how to draw a muffin). Don’t forget the rules of perspective. For example, making the nearer lines darker than the distant ones will give the object a more voluminous look

There are many different ways to draw this subject. Donuts can vary greatly in shape, texture, and toppings. Some have a smooth layer of glaze, while others are covered with different toppings.

You can reflect all of that in your drawing by changing individual parts of the donut.

You can also make your drawing look more three-dimensional by adding extra midtones and highlights, especially on the glaze. We talk more about how light, shadow, and midtones work in our fundamental article on light and shadow.

Also, keep in mind that this is another item in our drawing collection dedicated to delicious food. It’s part of a broader series where we show how to draw familiar treats in just a few steps while still achieving a realistic result.

For example, check out our tutorial on drawing a pie, where we illustrate a common dish in a simple but detailed way. Another tutorial in this food collection is the one about drawing a cake – one of the most popular and well-loved desserts around the world.

Be sure to visit these lessons and explore the entire “Food” category if you want to improve your still life drawing skills and become confident in drawing all kinds of foods.

But if you like more difficult lessons, we recommend you our lesson on how to draw a still life. If you want to help our site, then be sure to subscribe to us on social networks and share this and our other drawing tutorials.