How To Draw A Volleyball | A Quick And Easy Guide

Today, we will draw a volleyball. Volleyballs may seem tricky initially, but with some simple shapes and techniques, anyone can create their volleyball artwork. 

Volleyball, invented by William G. Morgan in 1895, began as an indoor sport called “Mintonette” aimed at being less strenuous than basketball. It quickly gained popularity and became an Olympic sport in 1964. Beach volleyball, a variant played on sand with teams of two, also emerged as a widely enjoyed recreational and professional activity.

Known for its fast-paced nature, points are scored in nearly every rally, making it an exciting sport to watch and play. Unlike some team sports, volleyball requires players to be versatile in various skills. The libero, a specialist in defensive skills, is a unique position. “Volleyball” derives from the volleying action used to move the ball over the net. International competition sets the net at specific heights for men and women.

What You Will Need

• Paper 
• Pencil 
• Eraser 
• Ruler or Straightedge
• Coloring Supplies (optional) 

How to draw a volleyball

Drawing a volleyball is a great way to practice shading, perspective, and working with basic geometric shapes. Now that we have the essential drawing tools, we will move on to the step-by-step process of how to draw a volleyball. 

Step 1: Draw the Baseline 

A volleyball is a ball used to play indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, or other less common variations of the sport. Volleyballs are spherical and typically comprise eighteen nearly rectangular panels made from synthetic or genuine leather. Six parts, each with three panels, make up the arrangement of these panels.

First, softly draw a horizontal line across the middle of your page with your pencil and ruler. This will serve as the volleyball’s baseline. 

Next, draw a circle centered on the baseline in the middle of the paper just like we drew in softball. To ensure you have space to add information later, make sure the circle is manageable. The circle should barely touch the top and bottom of the baseline.

This circle will become the basic shape for the volleyball. All the details will be added around this foundational shape.

• Draw a horizontal baseline across the middle of the page
• Center a circle on the baseline, touching the top and bottom
• The circle will become the base for the volleyball shape.

Step 2: Draw the Dividing Sewline  

Typically, indoor volleyballs are made from leather, whereas outdoor balls will usually be made from a composite material that is resistant to water. 

The next step is to draw the sewn divides on the volleyball. Lightly sketch a curved line down through the center of the circle, like drawing the side of a bowl. Then, add straight lines across the curve to make the volleyball panels. 

Draw about 5-7 straight lines bisecting the central curved line. Make the lines various lengths and angles to create panels of different shapes and sizes just like we drew in softball. The lines should go all the way to the edges of the circle on both sides.

This dividing sewn line gives the volleyball its distinctive segmented look. Don’t worry about perfect symmetry – varying the panels creates a more realistic effect!

• Draw a curved line through the center of the circle 
• Add 5-7 straight bisecting lines of different lengths
• Lines should bisect the entire circle on both sides.

Step 3: Draw Some Details

Now, it’s time to add some details to make your volleyball drawing more realistic. Go over the curved and straight lines you already drew and make them a bit darker. This will help them stand out and give a 3D effect. 

Then, draw a series of smaller curved lines inside each volleyball panel to show the texture of the leather. These small curves should go in various directions – some vertical, some horizontal, some diagonal. Make sure to overcrowd the panels – 10-12 turns in each one is plenty.

Finally, draw a circle with a dot in the center on either side of the volleyball to represent the logo patches. Add any other minor details you want to personalize your volleyball!

• Go over existing lines to darken them 
• Add small curved detail lines in each panel 
• Draw simple circles for volleyball logo patches

Step 4: Your volleyball is ready.

Excellent work! You now have a completed pencil drawing of a volleyball. 

Take a moment to look over your whole drawing and observe how the different elements come together to create the overall image. The initial circle provides the base shape, the bisecting lines divide it into panels, the small curves add texture, and the logos provide finishing details.

Now is the time to take your volleyball drawing even further if you wish! Here are some suggestions.

Taking your volleyball to the next level

Go over the entire drawing with darker pencil strokes to make the lines stand out. Use your pencil eraser to lighten any mistakes. Use coloring supplies to add color to your volleyball. Try shading the panels to make it look 3D. Draw a background scene like a beach or volleyball court to place your volleyball in context. Personalize it more by adding your name or fun designs. The most important thing is to have fun and be proud of the volleyball you created! With practice you will continue improving your drawing skills.

Adding a Background

Adding a background to a drawing is crucial as it provides context, depth, and atmosphere to the artwork. It helps to establish the setting in which the subject of the drawing exists, allowing viewers to understand better the narrative or mood the artist is trying to convey. A well-executed background can enhance the overall composition, creating balance and harmony. It also helps to guide the viewer’s eye, directing their focus towards the main subject or elements of interest. Additionally, a background can serve as a storytelling device, offering visual cues about the environment, time of day, or even the emotional tone of the scene. 

Draw a simple beach scene – sand, ocean, sun in the sky. Position the volleyball in the sand. Draw a grassy backyard or park. Add trees, flowers, fences, etc. Put the volleyball in the grass. Draw a volleyball court with boundaries, a net, and players. Place the ball on the court.

Coloring the Drawing 

Color is a vital tool for artists to bring vibrancy, emotion, focus, realism, personal style, clarity, viewer engagement, and a satisfying sense of completion to their drawings. The strategic use of color transforms a flat black-and-white draft into a lively, three-dimensional artwork. It allows artists to direct the viewer’s attention, convey mood, add critical details, and make a drawing feel true to life. Color adds the artist’s unique voice and creative vision. Good drafting is essential, but what gives a drawing life and allows it to influence the spectator the most is full-color rendering. The use of color elevates and completes the image.

Color the ball by adding a colored pencil or marker. For a playful effect, experiment with various color combinations just like we did in skateboard. To give the ball a three-dimensional appearance, shade it with varying shades of bright and dark. Add backdrop colors, such as brown fences, green grass, and blue water.

Bonus tips

Try drawing the volleyball from different angles – side view, above, and below. This builds perspective skills. Draw a player setting or spiking the ball to show motion and action like a soccer player we drew before. Use a kneaded eraser to lighten in highlights and shadows for more realism. Outline with a marker or pen, then erase pencil lines for a clean look.

The possibilities are endless for taking your volleyball drawing to a more advanced level! Start simple, practice the techniques, and have fun making it your own unique creation.

Conclusion 

Drawing can be an enjoyable pastime for all ages and artistic abilities. In this post, we went through the simple step-by-step process of how to draw a basic volleyball. By starting with basic shapes and adding details incrementally, you can create your volleyball artwork. As you practice these fundamental drawing skills, you will gain the confidence to take your volleyball drawing to the next level. Add color, backgrounds, and your personal touches to make it unique.

We will quickly revise what we did in this guide. First, we drew the baseline, then the dividing sew lines, and lastly added the details for the sketch of the volleyball. Drawing requires patience and persistence, but it also brings a great sense of accomplishment. Be proud of the volleyball you created and display it to inspire others to express themselves through art. With the techniques from this post, you now have the tools to draw volleyballs and translate your imagination into artistic creation. So grab your pencils, get creative, and enjoy bringing volleyballs to life on paper!

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