How to Draw Viking Helmet — Free Practice Sheets

A Viking helmet drawing is built from a few clear shapes: a rounded dome, a vertical band with rivets, a horizontal rim, two curved horns and hanging cheek guards. This page explains how those parts fit together and how to practise them on the free sheets. Because drawings can differ and still be correct, you will check visible features and proportions rather than aim for a pixel-perfect copy.

Build the helmet from its main shapes

Start with the dome, because it sets the overall size and height of the helmet. Draw a large rounded cap that is wider at the bottom than at the top, like the upper half of an oval. Keep the curve smooth and symmetrical; a lopsided dome makes every later detail look off.

Next, place the two bands. The vertical center strip runs from the top of the dome down to the rim, and the horizontal rim band crosses the bottom of the dome. Draw the rim first if it helps you judge where the dome ends, then add the vertical strip so it meets the rim cleanly. Space small circles along both bands for rivets, keeping the spacing even.

Finally, attach the horns and cheek guards. The horns curve outward and upward from the sides at rim level, and the two cheek guard plates hang below the rim. Check that both horns start at the same height and curve in matching directions.

1. Draw a large rounded dome for the main cap.
2. Add a vertical center strip with evenly spaced rivets running from the top to the rim.
3. Draw a horizontal rim band across the bottom of the dome and add rivets along it.
4. Attach two curved horns to the sides at the rim level, then draw the two hanging cheek guard plates below the rim.

Use the practice sheet that matches your goal

The trace sheet asks you to follow the reference outline first, then repeat the contour on your own. This builds muscle memory for the dome curve and horn shape before you add details.

The grid sheet asks you to copy the reference onto a blank grid using matching grid intersections. Treat each intersection as a landmark: note where the dome top, horn tips and rim ends fall, then connect those points with smooth lines.

The bounding-frame sheet gives you a frame and center guide. Use them to place the silhouette so the helmet sits centered and at a sensible size, then add the identifying details. The partial sheet gives you one half of the drawing; complete the blank side by matching the finished side across the center line.

After any sheet, compare your drawing with the separate full reference sheet. Look for missing features and uneven proportions rather than small differences in line style.

1. Choose one sheet and read its prompt before drawing.
2. Mark the dome, rim and horn positions lightly.
3. Add bands, rivets and cheek guards.
4. Compare with the full reference sheet and adjust one feature at a time.

Check proportions before adding detail

A common problem is a dome that is too tall or too narrow, which makes the horns look misplaced. Compare the dome width to its height: in most reference drawings the dome is broader than it is tall.

Check that the rim band sits at the widest part of the dome and that both horns attach at that same level. If one horn starts higher, the helmet looks tilted. Keep the cheek guards below the rim and roughly equal in size.

Rivets should be small and evenly spaced. If they crowd together or drift off the band, redraw the band line first and place the rivets along it.

1. Compare dome width with dome height.
2. Confirm both horns attach at rim level.
3. Check that cheek guards hang below the rim.
4. Space rivets evenly along each band.

A note on accuracy

This is a drawing exercise, not a reconstruction of historical armor. Horned helmets are a popular illustration convention, and the sheets focus on the visible features listed above. Different line weights, horn curves and rivet counts can all be correct. Use the rubric to judge whether the key parts are present and well proportioned.

Check your work

• A rounded dome cap is present and wider than it is tall.
• A vertical center strip runs from the dome top to the rim with evenly spaced rivets.
• A horizontal rim band crosses the base of the dome with rivets along it.
• Two curved horns attach at the sides at rim level.
• Two cheek guard plates hang below the rim.
• Overall proportions are balanced and the features are clearly visible.

Worked example

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

Common mistakes

• Drawing the dome too tall and narrow. Redraw the dome so it is wider than it is tall, then re-place the rim at its widest point.
• Attaching the horns at different heights. Mark the rim level on both sides first, then start each horn from that same line.
• Crowding or scattering the rivets. Draw the band line clearly, then place small rivets at even intervals along it.

Questions and answers