Drawing Kilroy Was Here is a simple yet iconic way to connect with a famous piece of 20th-century graffiti art. This doodle became a cultural symbol during World War II, often found on walls, ships, and bunkers. It features a bald-headed character peeking over a wall with a prominent nose hanging over the edge, hands gripping the wall, and the phrase Kilroy was here written nearby. While the drawing is cartoonish, it carries historical meaning and charm. This guide will walk you through how to draw Kilroy step by step using clear and accessible techniques.
Understanding the Kilroy Doodle
Before beginning the drawing process, it’s important to understand what Kilroy represents. This figure became popular among American soldiers during WWII. The doodle spread globally as a symbol of presence, often humorously indicating, I’ve been here. It is minimalist in design but instantly recognizable. To draw Kilroy accurately, capturing the right proportions and playful style is key.
Basic Elements of the Kilroy Drawing
- A bald, semi-circular head peeking over a wall
- Two large eyes close together
- A long, exaggerated nose hanging over the wall
- Two hands gripping the wall on either side of the head
- The phrase Kilroy was here written in simple, block or cursive letters
Materials You Will Need
This drawing requires only basic tools, making it suitable for both beginners and casual sketchers. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pencil (HB or 2B for sketching)
- Eraser (for cleaning up lines)
- Black pen or marker (for outlining)
- Plain white paper (any size)
If you are working digitally, you can use a tablet and stylus with a basic drawing app. The same principles apply whether traditional or digital.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Draw Kilroy Was Here
Step 1: Start with the Wall Line
Begin by drawing a horizontal line across the page. This represents the wall that Kilroy is peeking over. Keep it straight and place it about one-third of the way down from the top of your paper. This helps leave room for the eyes and hands above and space below for the text.
Step 2: Draw the Top of Kilroy’s Head
Above the wall line, draw a semi-circle to form the top of Kilroy’s head. The curve should be smooth, and the ends of the arc should almost touch the wall. The head shape should resemble an upside-down U, sitting just above the horizontal line.
Step 3: Add the Eyes
Inside the semi-circle, draw two dots or small circles close to each other. These are Kilroy’s eyes. Keep them centered on the face and evenly spaced. For a fun look, you can experiment with different eye styles open circles, small ovals, or simple black dots.
Step 4: Draw the Nose
From the middle of the semi-circle (just below the eyes), draw a long curved nose that extends down past the wall line. The nose should resemble a hook or upside-down J. It’s exaggerated for comic effect and is one of the most recognizable parts of the drawing. Make sure the nose hangs visibly below the wall.
Step 5: Sketch the Fingers
On each side of the head, draw three or four fingers gripping the top of the wall. These should look like small rounded bumps coming from just above the wall line. The fingers can be drawn as simple loops or partial circles. Keep the size consistent and place them symmetrically on both sides of the head.
Step 6: Outline the Hands
Under the fingers, draw short lines connecting them back to the wall. These lines represent Kilroy’s hands and forearms. Keep them short and slightly curved to give a feeling of grip and weight, as if he’s peeking over with effort.
Step 7: Write the Text
Now, write the phrase Kilroy was here beneath the image. You can choose a casual handwriting style or simple uppercase block letters. Traditionally, this phrase is scrawled as if someone quickly wrote it on a wall or bathroom stall, so it doesn’t need to be perfect.
Some common placements:
- Directly under the nose
- Off to the side of the wall line
- At an angle, as if quickly scribbled
Step 8: Go Over with Ink or Marker
Once your sketch looks good, trace over the lines using a black pen or marker. Be careful around the nose and hands to keep the shape clean. If you’re working digitally, choose a brush with medium weight to mimic the look of a marker line.
Erase any pencil lines after the ink has dried to keep the drawing neat and focused.
Adding Personal Style
While the Kilroy drawing has a standard form, you can customize it to fit your style or humor. Try the following ideas to make your version unique:
- Add eyebrows or a quirky expression to the face
- Draw different hand gestures instead of just fingers
- Include a hat, mustache, or sunglasses for a fun twist
- Change the text font or make it part of a speech bubble
- Place Kilroy behind a different object, like a fence or desk
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Unbalanced features: Make sure the nose is centered and the eyes are even
- Wrong proportions: Keep the head size relative to the hands and wall line
- Overcomplication: Kilroy is meant to be simple avoid adding too much detail
- Inconsistent lines: Use smooth, continuous lines for the head and nose
Practice Exercises
To improve your Kilroy drawing skills and add confidence, try the following short exercises:
- Draw 5 quick Kilroys with different nose lengths and eye styles
- Create a comic strip where Kilroy appears in different places
- Practice just the hands on the wall in different positions
- Experiment with text placement in relation to the drawing
- Recreate historic versions based on wartime photographs
Learning how to draw Kilroy Was Here is both a creative and cultural exercise. This simple yet iconic character has stood the test of time and continues to bring smiles through its mysterious origin and humorous presence. By following a clear process starting with basic shapes, refining the features, and adding your own flair you can master the art of drawing Kilroy and carry on this playful tradition in your sketchbook, walls, or digital creations. Keep it fun, keep it simple, and remember: Kilroy was here.