Let’s be honest. That little red scout elf is kind of terrifying if you get the eyes wrong. One minute you're trying to capture the Christmas spirit on a piece of paper, and the next, you’ve accidentally sketched a Victorian ghost child who stares into your soul. I’ve seen so many parents and kids try to tackle how to draw elf on the shelf only to end up with a lopsided mess of felt and nightmares. It happens.
Drawing a character that is essentially a soft doll with a hard plastic face is trickier than it looks. You aren't just drawing a person; you're drawing a specific brand of holiday nostalgia that relies on very particular proportions. If the collar is too small or the hat is too floppy, the whole thing falls apart.
Why the Face is the Hardest Part
Most people start with the hat. Big mistake. If you start with the hat, you’re going to run out of room for that iconic, mischievous face.
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The secret to a successful scout elf is the "side-eye." Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, the creators of the original The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, gave the elf a very specific glance. He isn't looking at you. He’s looking past you, probably towards the North Pole to report your questionable life choices to Santa.
To get this right, you need to place the pupils in the upper corners of the eyes. Use a light touch. If you press too hard with your pencil, you’re stuck with a "staring contest" elf. Keep the nose tiny—just a little button or a simple curved line. The mouth should be a gentle, closed-lip smirk. Avoid adding teeth. Seriously. Adding teeth to an Elf on the Shelf is a fast track to uncanny valley territory.
Nailing the Classic Scout Elf Silhouette
The body of the elf is basically a series of long, thin rectangles. Think about the way the actual doll feels. It’s floppy. It doesn't have a rigid skeletal structure, which is why it can be tucked into cereal boxes or hung from chandeliers.
When you're figuring out how to draw elf on the shelf, you have to account for that "noodle" limb aesthetic. The arms and legs should be almost the same width from the shoulder to the cuff. Don't worry about drawing defined muscles or realistic joints. These are felt tubes.
- Start with a simple oval for the head.
- Draw a long, thin "U" shape for the torso.
- Add the limbs as straight or bent pipes.
- The hands are usually just white mittens—no fingers needed!
I’ve found that the white collar is the anchor of the whole drawing. It’s a jagged, snowflake-like shape that separates the plastic-looking head from the red fabric body. If you get the collar points even, the rest of the drawing feels symmetrical and "official." Make sure the points of the collar align with the center of the chest. It’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between a generic elf and the elf.
The Hat Logic
The hat is huge. It’s easily a third of the elf's total height. A common mistake is making the hat sit on top of the head like a party hat. In reality, the hat's brim covers the top of the forehead and the tops of those pointy ears.
Draw the brim as a thick, white band that curves slightly downward. The red cone of the hat should have a bit of a "slouch." It shouldn't stand straight up like a traffic cone unless you're drawing him mid-fall. Give it a little fold or a bend to show the weight of the fabric.
Coloring and Texture Secrets
You need a very specific red. Not a deep burgundy, not a bright neon orange-red. It’s a classic, primary "Christmas Red."
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If you’re using colored pencils, don't just shade in a solid block of color. Use a bit of darker red or even a hint of purple in the creases of the arms and the underside of the legs. This gives the illusion that the elf is three-dimensional and sitting on your shelf. For the face, a light peach or "flesh" tone works, but keep the cheeks rosy. The original doll has distinct pink circles on the cheeks that look like a light airbrushing.
Honestly, the white parts—the mittens and the collar—shouldn't be pure white. If you leave them as blank paper, they look flat. Take a very light blue or a soft grey and add a tiny bit of shadow where the collar meets the neck. It makes the white "pop" and look like actual material.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
I’ve seen people try to give the elf "cool" sneakers or different outfits. While the "Elf on the Shelf" brand now sells "Claus Couture" outfits, the classic look is still the most recognizable. If you’re just learning how to draw elf on the shelf, stick to the red jumpsuit first.
Don't forget the ears! They are pointed but not overly large. They should peek out from the sides of the head, right where the hat brim ends. If you make them too big, he looks like a fantasy gnome. Too small, and he looks like a regular kid in a costume.
Also, watch the proportions of the torso. The Elf on the Shelf is "leggy." His legs are significantly longer than his upper body. If you draw the torso too long, he looks like a red-suited adult, which ruins the whimsical, toy-like vibe.
Adding the Setting
To make your drawing truly "Discover-worthy," don't just draw him floating in white space. Put him in a scene.
Maybe he's sitting on a mantle next to a stocking. Or perhaps he’s "caught" spilling a jar of sprinkles. Drawing a background provides context. Use a "low-angle" perspective if you want him to look like he’s looming over the room, or a "high-angle" look to emphasize how small and hidden he is.
Remember that the elf is a scout. He’s meant to be hidden. You could draw him peeking out from behind a stack of books or hanging off a curtain rod. This adds a narrative element to your art that goes beyond just a character study.
Actionable Steps for Your Masterpiece
Stop overthinking it. It's a doll.
Grab a high-quality eraser because you will definitely want to move those eyes at least three times. Start with a "ghost sketch"—very light lines that you can barely see—to map out the height. If the head is two inches tall, the body should be about four to five inches long.
Once you have the skeleton down, go in with a felt-tip pen for the outlines. This mimics the clean, commercial look of the official illustrations. Erase your pencil marks completely before you even think about touching the red marker or pencil.
Focus on the eyes last. They are the "soul" of the drawing. If you nail the side-glance, you’ve won. If you don't, you have a very festive-looking demon.
Practice the collar on a separate piece of paper first. It’s a repeating pattern of triangles, but they need to curve around the neck. Think of it like a crown that’s been flattened out.
Finally, give your elf a name. It sounds silly, but it helps you visualize his personality. Is he a "Sparkle" or a "Grinch-catcher"? Defining his "vibe" will actually influence how you draw his expression. A mischievous elf might have a slightly higher eyebrow, while a "strictly business" scout will have a more neutral gaze.
Get your red pencil ready. The North Pole is watching.