How to Draw a Nail Step by Step

by easylinedrawing

How to draw a nail fastener in six steps is what is shown in this simple guide. It provides easy to follow, beginner friendly, illustrated examples and instructions.

The example is of a fairly common nail with ridges on the side. The guide first shows a detailed breakdown of how to create the line drawing. It then illustrates how to apply some basic color and shading to help give the nail a more three dimensional look.

Although the tutorial is quire simple, it’s recommended that you start it in pencil to make it easier to correct any potential mistakes. Also, try and keep your lines light so that they don’t leave marks when erased. You can trace over your drawing with darker lines once you’ve defined all of the nail’s parts.

For drawing a hammer see:

How to Draw a Hammer Step by Step

Step 1 – Draw the Nail’s Shank

First, draw the nail’s shank. To define it’s shape make a pair of parallel lines as shown in the example above.

Step 2 – Draw the Nail’s Point

At the bottom of the shank add the point. Make this part narrower as it goes down with a sharp tip. Basically shaped like the letter “V”.

Step 3 – Draw the Cap on Top

On top of the nail draw the cap. Start with an outline of it’s upper surface. Nails usually have circular caps but the example is shown as being viewed on an angle so make it’s outline oval instead. Afterwards, draw the lower part of the cap. Make it gradually narrower as it goes into the shank.

Step 4 – Draw the Bevels of the Point

Nail points are generally beveled. Show the bevels by first drawing a line down the middle of the point. Next, draw a curve from the upper end of each of the point’s sides and join them with the top of this line.

Step 5 – Draw the Ridges Along the Side

For the last part of the nail add some ridges running along one of it’s sides. You may need to erase little bits of the shank’s outline when adding them.

Draw thee ridges starting from a little below the cap and going about a third of the way down the shank. Make the ridges curved to help show the curvature of the nail’s shank. Their curvature should basically follow that of the top of the cap.

After adding the ridges you can trace over your drawing with darker pencil lines or a thin black marker.

Step 6 – Apply Shading to the Nail Drawing

Finish the drawing by shading the nail. You can simply use a regular pencil for doing so. In this example the nail is shaded as though light is coming from the upper left of the drawing and slightly to the front of the nail.

Apply the shading by first making the nail a lightly grey. Next, further darken most of it’s surface but leave a light grey strip running near the side facing towards the light. Keep the top of the cap the light grey as well.

To finish shading make the nail’s point slightly darker on one side and much darker on the other (the one facing away from the light).

Conclusion

This guide shows an easy way to draw a nail by first illustrating how you can add it’s various parts in five steps . In the sixth and final step it shows how to apply some basic shading to the drawing.

By properly defining the nail’s shape and by applying the shading in the right way you can create an art piece that stands out and is easily recognizable.

Overall the example nail drawing is somewhat detailed but still fairly straightforward. Hopefully you’ve found it easy to follow along.

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