How to Draw a Basketball

Last Updated: October 21, 2021

This is a tutorial that teaches you how to draw a basketball. You will learn how to draw a simple basketball icon design and a more realistic basketball. Let’s begin!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Basketball Icon Design

1
Draw a perfect circle. You can use a protractor or a compass to guide you in drawing a perfect circle. Sketch a circle using a pencil first, and then trace the line using a marker.
2
Draw a straight vertical line.

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3
Draw two curved vertical lines.
4
Color the draft.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Realistic Basketball

1
Begin with a sketch of a perfect circle outline. Use your pencil to lightly sketch a perfect circle.
2
Add lines to show the actual shape of the ball. You can show a sphere by adding the perspective.
3
Start coloring the draft. Choose the basic color in beginning the coloring.
4
Continue coloring. Choose a color that is lighter than the basic color. Put it where the brighter areas should be shown which means that is where the light is being reflected.
5
Blend the colors.
6
Add the darker shades. To show a more realistic approach to the drawing, add the shades and shadow. This way, the basketball will appear like a sphere.
7
Draw four lines on the ball. Two lines which are a vertical and a horizontal line in the middle simply follow the shape of the ball. The other two lines are curved lines conforming to the shape of the ball.
8
Color the background.

Community Q&A

Question

Why is the basketball red?

Community Answer

That's just how they chose to color it. They're usually orange, but can really be any color.
Question

How do I draw a perfect circle?

Community Answer

Trace something that looks like a perfect circle, like the bottom of a cup or anything circular.
Question

How do I make a football?

Community Answer

Start by drawing a slightly curved line. Make another curved line and connect it to the first. Draw a straight line in the center. Add three marks to the line.