How to Draw a Graduation Hat
Draw a graduation hat step-by-step, sketching the square mortarboard, cap base, and tassel. Practice proportions, shading, and adding color confidently.
About this tutorial
Draw a graduation hat step-by-step, sketching the square mortarboard, cap base, and tassel. Practice proportions, shading, and adding color confidently.
What you need
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Put your paper on a flat surface and lay out your pencil eraser ruler and colouring materials.
- 2
Step 2
Lightly draw a horizontal guideline near the top third of the paper where the hat will sit.
- 3
Step 3
Draw a slightly curved band on the guideline to make the cap base using light pencil lines.
- 4
Step 4
Use your ruler to draw a diamond shape centered above the band for the mortarboard.
- 5
Step 5
Darken the outer lines of the mortarboard so the shape is clear.
- 6
Step 6
Draw a small circle at the center of the mortarboard to mark the button.
- 7
Step 7
Draw a straight line from the button down the side to make the tassel cord.
- 8
Step 8
Draw a cluster of short curved lines at the end of the cord to form the tassel fringe.
- 9
Step 9
Look at your drawing to see if the mortarboard sits evenly on the band.
- 10
Step 10
Erase and lightly redraw any part that seems too big or too small to balance the hat.
- 11
Step 11
Shade the underside of the mortarboard and the lower edge of the band with light pencil strokes to show shadow.
- 12
Step 12
Add small shading lines to the tassel to give it texture.
- 13
Step 13
Use your colouring materials to fill the mortarboard and tassel and leave a tiny light spot for a highlight.
- 14
Step 14
Share your finished graduation hat drawing on DIY.org
Get inspired
Fun facts
How do I draw a graduation hat step-by-step?
Start by lightly sketching the mortarboard: draw a flattened square (diamond perspective) and mark a center point. Under it, draw the cap base as a curved band or oval hugging the head. Connect the band to the board with short vertical lines. Add a small circle at the board's center and sketch the tassel: a short cord and a group of thin strands. Refine proportions, erase guidelines, add shading under the board and on the band, then color the hat and tassel.
What materials do I need to draw a graduation hat with my child?
Youll need plain drawing paper, a sharp pencil (HB or 2B), eraser, and a pencil sharpener. Add a ruler for straight edges, a blending stump or tissue for soft shading, and colored pencils or markers for color. Optional: a black fineliner for outlining, a reference photo of a mortarboard, and stickers or glitter if decorating. For young children, use thick crayons or washable markers for easier grip and cleanup.
What ages is drawing a graduation hat suitable for?
This activity suits kids ages 412 with age-appropriate guidance. Ages 46 can trace or use simple shapes (square and oval) with help; 79 can follow step-by-step proportions and add basic shading; 1012 can practice perspective, accurate proportions, and detailed shading or color blending. Supervise younger children with scissors or small art tools, and encourage patience 6repeat practice improves confidence and skill.
What are some fun variations for drawing a graduation hat?
Try variations: draw the hat from different angles (3/4, side, top), change tassel length or style, and decorate the mortarboard with patterns, school colors, or celebratory messages. Turn the drawing into a pop-up card, collage using colored paper, or a digital sketch for editing. Benefits include fine-motor practice, proportion awareness, creativity, and celebrating milestones together. Adapt complexity to age and encourage personalized designs.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
If I don't have a ruler or special colouring materials listed in step 1, what can I use instead to draw the diamond in step 4 and color the hat?
Use the straight edge of a hardcover book or a piece of cardboard instead of the ruler to draw the diamond in step 4, and substitute crayons, markers, or colored pencils for the colouring materials when filling the mortarboard in the final step.
My mortarboard looks lopsided after step 8 — how can I fix it without ruining the drawing?
Lightly erase the side of the band or the diamond as suggested in step 9 and redraw using your pencil and ruler so the mortarboard sits evenly on the band.
How can I adapt this activity for younger children or make it more challenging for older kids?
For younger children skip the ruler in step 4 and have them trace a premade diamond to color, while older kids can add perspective and extra shading under the mortarboard and along the lower edge (step 11) and add textured tassel shading (step 12) before coloring.
What are some ways to personalize or extend the graduation hat drawing after coloring in step 13?
Add a school logo or graduation year on the mortarboard, use a metallic pen for the tiny highlight spot mentioned in step 13, decorate the band with patterns, and then share your finished graduation hat on DIY.org as in step 15.