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how to draw a tv

How to draw a tv - a free tv drawing guide

Draw a retro television step-by-step using rectangles, circles, antenna, and shading. Label parts and color the finished TV with markers.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of retro television examples

Step-by-step guide to draw a retro television

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📺 Quick and Easy TV Drawing for Beginners! || TV Drawing for Kids 🎨 ✍️

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, ruler, fine-tip black pen or marker, coloring materials (markers or crayons)

Step 1

Lay one sheet of paper on a flat surface so you have space to draw.

Step 2

Use your pencil and ruler to draw a large rectangle with slightly rounded corners in the middle of the paper to make the TV body.

Step 3

Draw a smaller rectangle centered inside the big rectangle to make the screen.

Step 4

Draw two small circles beside the screen for the TV knobs.

Step 5

Draw a vertical rectangle or column of tiny dots next to the knobs to make the speaker area.

Step 6

Draw two thin lines upwards from the top center of the TV and add a small circle at each tip to make the antenna.

Step 7

Draw two short angled lines or a small rectangle under the TV to make the legs or base.

Step 8

Lightly erase any extra pencil construction lines so the TV outline looks clean.

Step 9

Trace over your final pencil lines with a fine-tip black pen or marker to make the drawing bold.

Step 10

Write labels with your pen pointing to each part: Screen; Knobs; Speaker; Antenna; Legs.

Step 11

Decide where the light is coming from and add pencil shading on the side away from the light using light diagonal strokes.

Step 12

Color the TV with your markers or crayons using different colors for the body screen knobs and speaker.

Step 13

Share your finished retro TV drawing on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a ruler or a fine-tip black pen for the drawing?

Use the straight edge of a book or a piece of cardboard as a ruler to draw the TV and screen, and trace your final pencil lines with a dark crayon, ballpoint pen, or felt-tip marker when you reach the 'Trace over your final pencil lines with a fine-tip black pen or marker' step.

My lines look crooked and the inner screen isn't centered—how can I fix that?

Lightly mark the page center with a tiny pencil dot, use your ruler or book edge to measure equal margins before drawing the smaller rectangle for the screen, draw with light pencil construction lines, and let any ink dry fully before erasing extra lines as the instructions say.

How can I adapt the activity for different ages?

For younger children have an adult pre-draw the large rectangle and screen so they can place knobs, speaker dots, antenna and color, while older kids can follow all steps and add perspective, detailed cross-hatching shading on the 'side away from the light', and more precise labels.

What are some ways to enhance or personalize the retro TV drawing after coloring?

After coloring you can draw a favorite show or a reflection on the 'Screen', glue sequins to the 'Knobs', use patterned tape around the TV body, fold cardboard legs for a 3D base, and then photograph and share your finished retro TV on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a retro television

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Television drawing for kids || Easy television drawing for kids || Television drawing step by step

4 Videos

Facts about drawing for kids

📺 The first mechanical TVs appeared in the 1920s, but electronic televisions became common in homes in the 1950s.

🐰 "Rabbit ears" antennas got their nickname from their twin-stick look and helped older TVs pick up signals from distant stations.

⚫ Old CRT screens are curved and heavy because they used electron beams to light phosphors instead of tiny pixels like modern displays.

🎨 Mid-century modern TV designs often featured wooden cabinets, rounded corners, and angled legs — great inspiration for retro drawings.

✏️ Labeling parts like "screen," "knob," and "antenna" is a fun way to practice observation and handwriting while you draw.

How do you draw a retro TV step-by-step?

Start with a large rectangle for the TV cabinet, then draw a smaller centered rectangle inside for the screen. Add a thin rectangle or rounded rectangle below for the control panel. Draw two circles for knobs and a small speaker grille (rows of tiny lines). Sketch two thin lines with a small circle or arrow at the top for the antenna. Add soft hatching or darker edges for shading, label parts (screen, knob, antenna), and finish by coloring with markers.

What materials do I need to draw a retro television?

You’ll need plain drawing paper or light cardstock, a pencil and eraser for sketching, and a ruler for straight rectangles. For details use a fine-tip black marker or pen. Colored markers work well for the final coloring; include a gray or brown marker for the cabinet and bright colors for accents. Optional: a coin or compass for perfect circles, colored pencils for blending, and scrap paper to test marker colors. Washable markers are best for kids.

What ages is this retro TV drawing activity suitable for?

This activity suits ages 4–6 with tracing or stencils for basic rectangles and circles, and parental help for drawing antenna and shading. Ages 7–9 can follow step-by-step instructions independently and practice simple shading and labeling. Ages 10+ can add perspective, detailed shading, and creative decoration. Adjust complexity—simplify shapes for younger kids and introduce light-source shading and composition for older children.

What are the benefits of drawing a retro TV?

Drawing a retro TV builds fine motor skills, shape and spatial awareness, and step-sequencing ability. Labeling parts boosts vocabulary and observation skills, while shading introduces basic light-and-shadow concepts. Coloring choices encourage creativity and decision-making. The activity also promotes focus and patience, and completing a finished, labeled picture gives children a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

Ready to create?

All Activities

how to draw a tv

How to draw a tv - a free tv drawing guide

Draw a retro television step-by-step using rectangles, circles, antenna, and shading. Label parts and color the finished TV with markers.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of retro television examples

Step-by-step guide to draw a retro television

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

📺 Quick and Easy TV Drawing for Beginners! || TV Drawing for Kids 🎨 ✍️

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, ruler, fine-tip black pen or marker, coloring materials (markers or crayons)

Step 1

Lay one sheet of paper on a flat surface so you have space to draw.

Step 2

Use your pencil and ruler to draw a large rectangle with slightly rounded corners in the middle of the paper to make the TV body.

Step 3

Draw a smaller rectangle centered inside the big rectangle to make the screen.

Step 4

Draw two small circles beside the screen for the TV knobs.

Step 5

Draw a vertical rectangle or column of tiny dots next to the knobs to make the speaker area.

Step 6

Draw two thin lines upwards from the top center of the TV and add a small circle at each tip to make the antenna.

Step 7

Draw two short angled lines or a small rectangle under the TV to make the legs or base.

Step 8

Lightly erase any extra pencil construction lines so the TV outline looks clean.

Step 9

Trace over your final pencil lines with a fine-tip black pen or marker to make the drawing bold.

Step 10

Write labels with your pen pointing to each part: Screen; Knobs; Speaker; Antenna; Legs.

Step 11

Decide where the light is coming from and add pencil shading on the side away from the light using light diagonal strokes.

Step 12

Color the TV with your markers or crayons using different colors for the body screen knobs and speaker.

Step 13

Share your finished retro TV drawing on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a ruler or a fine-tip black pen for the drawing?

My lines look crooked and the inner screen isn't centered—how can I fix that?

How can I adapt the activity for different ages?

What are some ways to enhance or personalize the retro TV drawing after coloring?

Watch videos on how to draw a retro television

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Television drawing for kids || Easy television drawing for kids || Television drawing step by step

4 Videos

Facts about drawing for kids

📺 The first mechanical TVs appeared in the 1920s, but electronic televisions became common in homes in the 1950s.

🐰 "Rabbit ears" antennas got their nickname from their twin-stick look and helped older TVs pick up signals from distant stations.

⚫ Old CRT screens are curved and heavy because they used electron beams to light phosphors instead of tiny pixels like modern displays.

🎨 Mid-century modern TV designs often featured wooden cabinets, rounded corners, and angled legs — great inspiration for retro drawings.

✏️ Labeling parts like "screen," "knob," and "antenna" is a fun way to practice observation and handwriting while you draw.