Tombstone Drawing Tutorial - How to draw Tombstone step by step

Tombstone Drawing

You can choose your favorite images to see detail drawing instructions:

1. Draw a Tombstone Easily with This Tutorial

Today, drawing123.com will guide you how to easily draw a tombstone with simple steps.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Draw the Top Arch

Draw an inverted U-shaped arch with short horizontal extensions flaring outward at both bottom ends.

Step 2: Draw the Side Edges

Extend two long, straight lines downward from the outer tips of the horizontal extensions, slightly angling inward toward each other.

Step 3: Draw the Base Stand

At the bottom of the two side lines, draw a wide, flat rectangular base with rounded corners to support the headstone.

Step 4: Add the Inner Arch Border

Draw an inner arched line parallel to the top curve to begin creating a double-bordered frame along the top half.

Step 5: Complete the Inner Frame

Draw two straight lines inside along the left and right sides, connecting with the top inner arch and a horizontal line at the bottom to form an inner panel frame.

Step 6: Add the Text

In the upper half of the inner central section, write the letters “RIP” in bold, hollow block capital letters.

Step 7: Draw Cracks for Texture

Add several squiggly, jagged lines across various parts of the tombstone—such as near the top, the lower sides, and the base—to create an aged, weathered look.

Step 8: Color the Drawing

Color the outer border frame and the bottom rectangular base with a medium stone-grey tone. Fill the inner central panel with a lighter beige-grey color, keeping the black outlines and “RIP” lettering clear.

2. Beginner-Friendly Tombstone Drawing Guide

Step 1: Draw the Main Front Arch

Draw an inverted U-shape with two vertical sides extending downward and a slightly curved line connecting the bottom ends to create the basic flat shape of the tombstone.

Step 2: Add 3D Depth

Draw a second curved line starting from the top center of the arch, running parallel along the right side, and curving down to the bottom right corner to give the tombstone thickness.

Step 3: Sketch the Upper Base

Draw a wide parallelogram shape angled around the bottom of the tombstone to form the top surface of the pedestal base.

Step 4: Draw the Front of the Base

Extend two vertical lines downward from the front corners of the pedestal surface and connect them with a straight horizontal line across the front.

Step 5: Complete the 3D Base

Draw an angled line on the right side connecting the back corner to the bottom front corner, completing the solid three-dimensional block structure of the pedestal.

Step 6: Draw the Cross Symbol

In the upper central area of the tombstone, outline a simple, hollow Latin cross.

Step 7: Add the Inscription

Directly beneath the cross, write large, hollow block letters spelling out “RIP”.

Step 8: Color the Tombstone

Fill the front face of the tombstone with a light grey shade, and fill the right side depth and the entire bottom pedestal with a darker charcoal grey to accentuate the shadow and 3D effect.

3. Simple Instructions to Draw a Tombstone

Step 1: Draw the Ground Mound

Draw a low, wide patch of grassy ground at the bottom using jagged, spiky lines across the top edge and a smooth, gentle curve for the bottom contour.

Step 2: Add Grass Details

Draw small clusters of short, pointed grass blades and tiny curved lines scattered inside the ground mound to create texture.

Step 3: Draw the Tombstone Outline

Draw a tall inverted U-shape extending upward from behind the grass mound to form the basic shape of the headstone.

Step 4: Add the Inner Border

Draw an inner arched line parallel to the main headstone outline to create a thick outer frame around the tombstone.

Step 5: Draw the Cross Symbol

Outline a simple, hollow Latin cross centered near the top inside panel of the tombstone.

Step 6: Add the Main Inscription

Below the cross, write “R.I.P” in capital letters, followed by the name “JOHN DOE” underneath, and the birth–death years “1940 – 2020” on the line below that.

Step 7: Add Decorative Underlines

Draw two horizontal decorative accent lines directly below the date—one longer straight line and a shorter one underneath it.

Step 8: Color the Drawing

Fill the grassy ground mound at the base with vibrant green. Color the outer frame of the tombstone in a medium slate-blue grey, and fill the inner panel and cross with a lighter shade of slate blue, keeping the dark text, lines, and outlines sharp and readable.

4. Step-by-Step Guide to Draw a Tombstone

Step 1: Draw the Small Flower

Start by drawing a small five-petaled flower with a round center, complete with a stem and two small leaves curving out from the base.

Step 2: Outline the Earth Mound

Draw a wide, gently curved mound around the base of the flower to represent the dirt hill.

Step 3: Add Grass Tufts

Add small M-shaped tufts of grass scattered across the surface and edges of the dirt mound for added detail.

Step 4: Draw the Front Tombstone Shape

Sketch a large arch directly behind the mound to form the main front surface of the tombstone.

Step 5: Add 3D Depth

Draw a second arched line extending along the top right edge of the headstone and brought down to the mound to create depth and thickness.

Step 6: Write the Inscription

In the upper portion of the tombstone, outline large hollow letters spelling out “R.I.P” with periods after each letter.

Step 7: Add the Plaque Rectangle

Draw a wide horizontal rectangle directly below the letters to form an blank inscription plaque on the front face of the tombstone.

Step 8: Color the Drawing

Fill the main face of the tombstone with medium grey and the side depth panel with a darker grey shade. Color the inner plaque box and the “R.I.P” lettering in dark charcoal black. Paint the ground hill bright green, the flower petals purple with a yellow center, and the leaves light green.

5. Easy Tombstone Drawing Tutorial for Beginners

Step 1: Draw Top Outline

Draw a central rounded arch with two short horizontal lines extending outward from both sides of its base.

Step 2: Form the Base Shape

Extend two long straight lines downward from the outer ends of the horizontal shoulders, sloping inward slightly toward the bottom, and connect them at the base with a flat horizontal line.

Step 3: Add Left Side Depth

Draw a narrow angled panel along the left edge by connecting the top left shoulder down to the bottom corner, giving the headstone a 3D perspective.

Step 4: Add Top and Right Side Depth

Add parallel curved and angled lines along the top arch and right shoulder to extend the depth and thickness across the entire top surface.

Step 5: Inner Front Border

Draw a scaled-down inset line following the shape of the front face to create an engraved border frame on the headstone.

Step 6: Inner Recessed Wall

Add short depth lines along the upper right and lower edges inside the inner frame to create a sunken relief effect.

Step 7: Inscribe Letters

Draw large, rounded bubble-style letters spelling out “RIP” in the upper half of the inner sunken panel.

Step 8: Apply Final Colors

Fill the outer frame and sides of the headstone with light gray, use a darker gray shade for the inner sunken recess to add shadow depth, and color the “RIP” lettering dark brown.

6. How to Draw a Tombstone in Simple Steps

Step 1: Outer Tombstone Body

Draw a tall upright rectangle with an arched, rounded top and a flat horizontal base to form the main silhouette of the headstone.

Step 2: Inner Inset Frame

Sketch a smaller arched shape inside the upper section of the headstone, mirroring the outer contour to create a framed panel.

Step 3: Top Cross Element

Add a symmetrical Latin cross standing upright directly on the center of the tombstone’s top arch.

Step 4: Inscription Letters

Draw hollow, capital letters spelling out “RIP” across the center of the inner framed panel.

Step 5: Cross Crack Detail

Sketch a small, jagged crack line extending across the right arm of the top cross.

Step 6: Upper Tombstone Crack

Add a sharp, jagged crack splitting from the upper-left edge of the headstone down into the inner arched panel.

Step 7: Lower Base Crack

Draw a larger, branching crack starting from the lower-left side edge and extending upward into the center section near the base.

Step 8: Final Coloring

Color the outer body of the headstone and the top cross in slate blue-gray. Shade the inner inset panel in a muted sage green, keep the cracks white, and fill the “RIP” letters with a dark charcoal gray.

Hopefully, this drawing tutorial on Tombstone will help you easily create a nice drawing.