Can you really draw NFL team logos at home? Yes, you absolutely can! This guide will show you how to draw football logos NFL, breaking down the NFL logo design tutorial into simple, easy-to-follow steps. We’ll cover drawing NFL emblems, how to sketch football team logos, and even touch on recreating NFL logos and drawing NFL branding. Get ready to bring your favorite NFL graphic design steps to life and start your own football logo art!
Drawing NFL team logos can be a fun and rewarding way to connect with your favorite sport. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this guide will help you master the art of illustrating NFL crests and drawing iconic NFL symbols. We’ll explore the techniques and tips needed to accurately represent these recognizable designs.
Getting Started with Your NFL Logo Drawing Journey
Before you even pick up a pencil, let’s talk about what you’ll need. Having the right tools makes the process much smoother. Think of this as laying the groundwork for your football logo art.
Essential Drawing Supplies
To begin drawing NFL team logos, you’ll want a few key items:
- Pencils: A variety of lead grades is helpful. A softer lead (like 2B or 4B) is great for shading, while a harder lead (like HB or 2H) is good for initial sketches and fine lines.
- Paper: Good quality drawing paper or even plain printer paper will work.
- Erasers: A kneaded eraser is excellent for lifting graphite without damaging the paper, and a standard block eraser is useful for cleaner corrections.
- Pens: Fine-tip black pens can be used for outlining once your sketch is complete.
- Coloring Tools (Optional): Colored pencils, markers, or digital drawing software if you plan to add color.
Choosing Your First NFL Team Logo
What NFL team logo should you draw first? The best approach is to pick a team whose logo you really like or find visually appealing. Simpler logos are often a good starting point for beginners. Think about iconic symbols or designs that have clear shapes and lines.
Table 1: Logo Complexity for Beginners
| Logo Simplicity Level | Example Teams (Illustrative) | Key Features to Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions | Clear, bold lines; minimal intricate details; often single-color elements. |
| Medium | Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers | Some symmetry, a few distinct shapes, possibly a small amount of detail. |
| Challenging | Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints | Intricate curves, detailed shading, complex patterns, multiple layers. |
When starting, don’t be afraid to pick a more complex logo if your heart is set on it. The process of recreating NFL logos, even challenging ones, is a fantastic learning experience.
Deconstructing NFL Logos: Key Design Elements
Every successful NFL team logo has a reason for its design. Fathoming these elements helps in accurately drawing NFL branding. We’ll dive into the common components found in these famous emblems.
Shapes and Forms
Most NFL logos are built from basic geometric shapes. Circles, squares, triangles, and ovals are often combined or modified. Recognizing these fundamental shapes is crucial for sketching accurately.
- Circles: Often used for borders, eyes, or as a base for round elements.
- Squares/Rectangles: Can form shields, bases, or background elements.
- Triangles: Add dynamism and can create points or angles.
- Ovals: Useful for creating curves and organic shapes.
Lines and Curves
The type of lines used significantly impacts the logo’s feel. Bold, thick lines often convey strength and power, while thinner, flowing curves can suggest speed or elegance. Pay attention to how these lines connect and interact.
Color Palettes
While you might start with a pencil sketch, understanding the official color palettes is essential for a true representation. Each NFL team has specific colors that are part of their identity. These colors often carry symbolic meaning, representing the team’s spirit or geographic location.
Typography (If Applicable)
Some NFL team logos include the team name or initials. If your chosen logo has text, focus on the font style. Is it blocky and bold, or sleek and modern? Recreating the typography accurately is a key part of drawing NFL branding.
Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing NFL Logos
Now, let’s get to the core of how to draw football logos NFL. This section offers a general approach that can be adapted for most NFL team logos. We’ll focus on drawing iconic NFL symbols with precision.
Step 1: Research and Reference
Before you draw, gather high-quality images of the NFL team logo you want to recreate. Look for official team sources or reputable sports websites. Multiple angles or variations can be helpful. This step is vital for accurately drawing NFL emblems.
Step 2: Basic Outline and Grid Method (Optional)
Start with a very light sketch. You can use the grid method to help with proportions if you find it challenging to freehand. Draw a grid over your reference image and then draw a similar grid on your paper. Transfer the shapes and lines from each square of the reference grid to your paper. This is one of the most effective NFL graphic design steps for accuracy.
Step 3: Sketching the Core Shapes
Begin by lightly sketching the dominant shapes of the logo. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage. Focus on getting the overall form and placement correct. For example, if drawing the Pittsburgh Steelers logo, start with the basic star shapes and the circular border.
Step 4: Refining the Details
Once the main shapes are in place, start adding the finer details. This includes smaller lines, curves, and any text. Work your way from the larger elements to the smaller ones. This is where you really begin to capture the essence of drawing NFL crests.
Step 5: Cleaning Up the Lines
After you’re satisfied with the sketched details, carefully go over your lines with a darker pencil or a fine-tip pen. Erase any unnecessary construction lines. This step transforms your sketch into a cleaner drawing of the NFL team logo.
Step 6: Adding Color (Optional)
If you’re adding color, now is the time. Refer to your reference images for accurate team colors. If you’re using pencils or markers, build up the colors gradually. For digital art, use the appropriate tools to select and apply colors.
Drawing Specific NFL Team Logos: Examples and Tips
Let’s walk through how to apply these steps to a few examples of popular NFL team logos. This provides practical insights into drawing NFL emblems.
Example 1: The Dallas Cowboys Star
The Dallas Cowboys logo is iconic and relatively simple, making it a great starting point.
How to Sketch Football Team Logos: Cowboys Star
- Start with a Circle: Lightly draw a circle as a guide for the outer edge of the logo.
- Draw the Star: Inside the circle, sketch a five-pointed star. You can do this by drawing a pentagon first and then connecting the vertices in the correct order. Ensure the points are sharp and evenly spaced.
- Refine the Star’s Shape: Look closely at the Cowboys star. It’s not a perfectly symmetrical geometric star. There’s a slight slant to its orientation. Adjust your sketch to match this subtle angle.
- Outline and Erase: Once the star shape is correct, darken its outlines and erase any construction circles or guide lines.
Example 2: The Green Bay Packers ‘G’
The Green Bay Packers logo is another classic, featuring a prominent ‘G’.
Drawing NFL Branding: Packers ‘G’
- Basic Oval/Circle: Lightly sketch an oval or a slightly flattened circle to represent the outer shape of the ‘G’.
- Sketch the ‘G’ Form: The Packers ‘G’ has a distinctive, rounded style. Think of it as a capital ‘C’ with a horizontal bar extending into the opening. Lightly sketch this basic shape within your oval.
- Add the Inner Curves: The ‘G’ has a distinctive inner curve. Carefully draw this inward curve, making sure it’s smooth and connects seamlessly to the outer shape. Pay attention to the thickness of the ‘G’s’ strokes.
- Outline and Clean: Darken the final lines of the ‘G’ and its outer border. Erase any guiding marks.
Example 3: The Pittsburgh Steelers Logo (The “Steelmark”)
This logo is more complex, involving multiple elements. It’s an excellent exercise in recreating NFL logos.
Illustrating NFL Crests: Steelers Logo
- The Outer Circle: Lightly draw a large circle as the main boundary.
- The Inner Circle: Inside this, draw a smaller concentric circle.
- The Stars: This is where it gets detailed. The logo features three stylized four-pointed stars, one in the center and two in the outer ring.
- Center Star: Lightly sketch a four-pointed star within the inner circle. The points should be evenly spaced.
- Outer Stars: Position two more four-pointed stars in the space between the inner and outer circles, roughly at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions.
- The “SP” (Steelmark): The distinctive “SP” is positioned within the inner circle, overlaying the central star. This requires careful observation of the font and its placement relative to the star. Lightly sketch the letterforms.
- Refining and Outlining: Once all elements are positioned, refine the shapes. The Steelers stars have rounded points, so soften any sharp angles. Darken the outlines of the stars, the circles, and the “SP.” Erase all construction lines.
Tips for Improving Your NFL Logo Art
Mastering how to draw football logos NFL is an ongoing process. Here are some tips to elevate your football logo art.
Practice Regularly
The more you draw, the better you’ll become. Dedicate time each week to sketching different NFL team logos.
Study Other Artists
Look at how other artists approach drawing NFL emblems. Observe their techniques for linework, shading, and color application.
Experiment with Different Mediums
Try drawing your favorite NFL team logos with different tools – pencils, pens, charcoal, or digital software. Each medium offers unique possibilities.
Focus on Symmetry and Proportions
Many NFL logo design tutorials emphasize accuracy. Using guides and grids can help immensely with getting symmetry and proportions right, especially for more complex designs.
Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Mistakes are part of the learning process. Every drawing is a chance to improve your skills in recreating NFL logos.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions people have when learning how to draw football logos NFL.
Q1: What is the best way to get the colors accurate for NFL team logos?
A1: The best way to get accurate colors is to research official team branding guides or use high-quality reference images from the teams themselves. Many NFL teams have their official color palettes published online, often specifying HEX codes or Pantone colors for digital and print media.
Q2: Can I draw NFL team logos digitally?
A2: Yes, you can absolutely draw NFL team logos digitally using software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, or even free alternatives like GIMP or Krita. Digital tools offer layers, undo functions, and precise color selection, which can be very helpful for recreating intricate NFL branding.
Q3: How do I draw the text within NFL logos if it’s complicated?
A3: For text, focus on identifying the font style first. Many NFL logos use custom fonts or specific commercial fonts. Try to match the letter shapes, spacing (kerning), and weight as closely as possible. Digital software is particularly useful for recreating text accurately. If you’re drawing by hand, break down each letter into its basic shapes and curves.
Q4: What if an NFL logo looks too complicated to draw?
A4: Start by simplifying. Break the logo down into its most basic shapes. If you’re struggling with a complex curve or detail, use a grid system or tracing paper (if drawing by hand) to help capture the proportions. Many NFL logo design tutorials start with basic geometric shapes and build from there. Remember, even experienced artists often start with light, basic outlines.
Q5: How long should it take to draw an NFL logo?
A5: The time it takes to draw an NFL logo can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the logo, your skill level, and the medium you’re using. A simple logo like the Cowboys star might take 15-30 minutes for a beginner. A more intricate design like the Seattle Seahawks logo could take several hours, especially if you’re focusing on color and detail. Don’t rush the process; focus on accuracy and enjoyment.
Q6: Where can I find good reference images for NFL team logos?
A6: Good sources for reference images include:
* Official NFL team websites.
* Wikipedia pages for each NFL team (often have high-resolution logos).
* Sports merchandise websites (like Fanatics, NFL Shop).
* Reputable sports news and statistics sites.
Always try to find the highest resolution images you can.
By following these steps and practicing consistently, you’ll be well on your way to mastering how to draw football logos NFL, from simple emblems to the most intricate NFL crests. Enjoy the process of creating your own football logo art and celebrating your favorite teams!