How to Draw Medal — Free Practice Sheets

A medal drawing depends on a few clear shapes working together: a round disc, a smaller ring inside it, and a ribbon that forms a V above the disc. This page explains how to build those parts in order, then how to use tracing, grid, and partial-reference sheets to practise them. The goal is not a pixel-perfect copy. Different drawings can all be correct when the visible features and proportions hold together.

Build the medal from its main shapes

Start with the largest shape and work inward. The disc is a circle, and the inner ring is a smaller circle sharing the same centre. Keeping that shared centre is what makes the ring look deliberate rather than off to one side.

The ribbon sits above the disc. Its two arms angle outward and upward from the top of the circle, forming a V. Each arm can carry a parallel inner line to suggest a fold or edge. Finish by joining the bottom of the V cleanly to the top of the disc so the ribbon and medal read as one object.

1. Draw a circle for the medal disc and add a smaller concentric circle inside it.
2. Draw two angled ribbon arms forming a V shape above the disc, meeting at the top of the circle.
3. Add parallel inner lines along each ribbon arm to suggest folds or edges.
4. Connect the bottom of the V to the top of the circular disc with clean lines.

Use the practice sheet formats

Tracing helps you feel the order of the shapes before drawing them freehand. Trace the reference outline first, then cover it and draw the contour independently. Compare your result with the separate full reference sheet rather than judging it from memory.

A blank grid lets you copy the reference by matching grid intersections. Place the disc and ribbon where the reference places them, then check the spacing between the two circles and the width of the V. The bounding frame and centre guide give you a starting position for the silhouette before you add the identifying details.

The partial sheet asks you to complete the blank right-hand portion using the full reference. Work from the visible left side outward, keeping the disc round and the ribbon arms balanced.

1. Trace the reference outline once to learn the shape order.
2. Redraw the contour without tracing and compare with the full reference sheet.
3. On the grid sheet, match intersections for the disc, ring, and ribbon arms.
4. On the partial sheet, continue from the visible side and keep the centre consistent.

Check proportions before adding detail

Compare the disc diameter with the height of the ribbon. If the ribbon looks too tall or too short, adjust the arms before adding inner lines. Check that the inner ring sits evenly inside the disc and that both ribbon arms reach the top of the circle at a similar angle.

Small corrections early are easier than fixing a finished drawing. Redraw a curve rather than patching it, and keep the connecting lines between ribbon and disc simple.

1. Compare disc size with ribbon height.
2. Check the inner ring is centred.
3. Confirm both ribbon arms meet the circle at similar angles.

Check your work

• The medal disc is drawn as a circle.
• A smaller concentric ring sits inside the disc.
• Two ribbon arms form a V above the disc and meet near the top of the circle.
• Parallel inner lines appear along each ribbon arm.
• The bottom of the V connects cleanly to the top of the disc.
• The disc size and ribbon height are proportionate to the reference.

Worked example

medal: Trace the reference outline, then practise the contour independently. Compare with the separate full reference sheet.

Common mistakes

• Drawing the inner ring off-centre inside the disc. Mark the disc centre first, then draw the smaller circle around that same point.
• Making one ribbon arm longer or steeper than the other. Compare both arms against the top of the circle and adjust the angle until they match.
• Leaving a gap or overlap where the ribbon meets the disc. Redraw the connecting lines so the bottom of the V meets the top of the circle cleanly.

Questions and answers