Doodling while being focused?

Doodles can be used to help you focus when you’re studying or working on a task, and they can also be a great way to come up with new ideas or work through problems. Whether using one of our digital notebooks with a notetaking app like Goodnotes or Notability, or just good old-fashioned paper and pen, doodling whilst studying can be a hugely valuable activity, helping you to recall better what you have learnt.

Put simply, purposeful doodling can help you retain more of the information you need to remember!

You’ll remember more if you express that emotion!

Being able to draw easy facial expressions can be incredibly useful. Doodles of expressive faces in your study notes can be really fun and helpful. For example, if you are studying literature, they might help you consider how particular characters are expressing emotions and feelings.

Facial expressions tell us so much about a person’s mood, so it’s always useful to have a range of facial expressions handy. Try looking at different people, and see what kinds of expressions they tend to portray. Identifying the characteristics of your own face can help you draw and express your own thoughts better.

Once you’ve mastered a few fundamentals, you’ll be able to add a completely new level to your note-taking by using expression and emotion. You’ll also be able to easily express your own feelings about things as you learn. You might wish to highlight concepts you like, things that perplex you, or even comedy that makes you laugh out loud! When you depict that emotion in your notes, your brain will be more likely to remember the experience.

It’s so easy to draw simple facial expressions

Simple drawings of facial expressions are super easy to do. You can make an quick doodle of an expressive face using only a few lines. In this tutorial you can have fun when you draw easy facial expressions and give them easy-to-read emotions. Notice the shapes, the way they look and the expressions portrayed. Find out what kind of expression you prefer and try to replicate it in your own doodling.

Lets get started…

First, download our easy-to-draw facial expressions worksheet.

We have designed a fun free worksheet to help you draw easy facial expressions.

Download yours (above), and use it digitally in a note-taking app on your iPad or tablet, or print it out and get going with pen or pencil. If you’re using it digitally on an iPad the ‘Letter’ size version works slightly better, but you can use either.

We’ll introduce you to some ideas about how, with a little practice, faces can be drawn quickly and expressively. You’ll soon be able to see how simple it is to draw easy facial expressions. Take a look through these ideas first, then there’s chances to have a go yourself on the worksheet you have downloaded.

As you can see here, an appealing face may be created with just a few basic marks. With short lines for brows, nose, and mouth and dots for eyes, you have all the elements you need to create some fantastic expressions. Draw in the head form and it starts to make an impression!

Draw two guidelines for positioning

Typically, the eyes are about midway down the head. If it helps, draw the head shape first, then draw a light cross as a guideline. You can then add the eyes on that horizontal central line.

If you then slightly adjust the eye position, you will be able to make your face look in different directions; up and down, or to the side. This can be useful to clarify or emphasise an intended expression, such as looking down in shame or looking up in hope. 

Little Changes to the Drawing Can Totally Flip the Meaning

You don’t need to make big changes to the drawing to have a big impact on the emotion it conveys. It’s surprising how simply changing the shape of the mouth or the slope of the eyebrows will make the face express totally different emotions. In the example above, notice how small the differences really are, but what a different story they each tell!

Throw in some props to help tell the story

By adding some simple props to your drawing, you can also add some depth to their meaning. They don’t need to be complicated. In fact, they are likely to be much better if they are not! Adding reading glasses, headphones, hats, or even replacing facial features with objects can work well. Try swapping out eyes for hearts, or shells for ears!

You can also see in the example above (right) how we have shifted the features off-centre slightly. Use this technique to suggest a turned head and to add emphasis.

Add a splash of colour!

Don’t be afraid to have some fun with colour; it can help express more meaning while also making your drawings stand out! A green-tinged face, for example, might convey eerieness, or a blood-red one, anger. If you draw your expressive faces using ink or a dark pen, you can use marker pens or a brush and transparent ink to add some colour over the top of your drawing.

15 Easy to Draw Expressions

Here are 15 fantastic easy-to-draw facial expressions that you can learn to doodle in no time! If you’ve already downloaded our free easy-to-draw facial expressions worksheet, you’ll see that there’s a whole page of these for you to practice. Use these faces as a jumping-off point to begin creating your own library of doodled expressions and emotions; you never know when they’ll come in handy. Get started now and learn how much fun it is to draw easy facial expressions!

Download your free easy-to-draw facial expressions worksheet here

Get started right away! Simply choose the paper size that you usually use for your printer. If you are planning to use the worksheet digitally on an iPad, then ‘Letter’ size works best, but you can use either.

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Doodle Reads
STUDENT NOTEBOOK EDITIONS
PAPERBACK AND DIGITAL NOTE-TAKING VERSIONS
Designed for your notes and doodles!

Studying English Literature is a breeze with Doodle Reads Student Notebook Editions. Make notes directly alongside the full book on both the paperback and nifty tablet editions. Includes summaries, workbook, planner, and notebooks. Perfect for GCSE students, high school grades 9 to 12, and teachers too.

10 great literary classics available!
Choose from:
A Christmas Carol • Great Expectations • Frankenstein • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde • Macbeth • The Merchant of Venice • Much Ado About Nothing • Pride and Prejudice • Romeo and Juliet • The Sign of Four

Student Notebook Editions >

ROMEO AND JULIET
Doodle Through Shakespeare Edition

Are you finding that reading Shakespeare is hard? — This book makes it fun.

This unique edition of Romeo and Juliet contains not only the full play text with annotations to help understanding, but also lots of themed doodling prompts with space to write, scribble, draw, snip and stick stuff. 

Learn more…

Idea 1: Shelfie Your Beautiful Bookcase

Bookshelf pride is all the rage these days. Take a look over on Instagram and you’ll see how much pleasure can be had from documenting a much-loved bookshelf! This can be the perfect way to kick-start your book journaling journey.

But don’t just write lists of all the books you own – add some magic! There are lots of interesting ways you can record your own collection to make your book journal a special place.

Start by drawing some bookshelves in your journal. Book spines can be represented easily using simple rectangles. Then add your books’ titles to the spines. Mix in some color, and flag the books you love best with stars or emojis. Mark out the unread books too. If your book collection is a big one (lucky you!) and it’s too daunting to tackle the whole bookcase, just pick out your favorites and document them.

Alternatively, arrange some of your best books creatively (in themes perhaps), add some suitable props or ornaments, and snap some fab photos. You can then print them out and paste them directly into your reader’s journal, or clip them onto a page.

Idea 2: Create a Brilliant Book Wish List

We can all dream about the many books we’re planning to buy and read. Half the pleasure is in the anticipation, so set aside some pages in your reader’s journal for recording these bookish wants and desires.

Once again, there’s no reason to get bogged down in dull unadorned lists, instead draw some more shelves and fill them with the books you are lusting for. These books are special, so display them in your bookshelf drawing as if they are featured titles in your favorite bookshop. Go a step further this time and doodle their front covers in your reading log, not just their spines.

A little bit of accountability

Use your book wish list to give yourself some accountability. For example, don’t allow yourself to buy that next book on your booklist until you’ve added something great to your reading journal about the previous one. Make your reader’s journal part of a routine, and then watch it blossom over time. You can also create pages for reading goals (if that suits you), and then treat yourself to the shiny new book when you reach a particular goal!

Idea 3: Make Your Reader’s Journal Reflect Who You Are

One of the best things about journaling is seeing how over time your book journal turns into an incredibly personal view of who you are and what you like. In most cases, you will be journaling for yourself, and slowly this will become a treasure trove of your own thoughts and ideas. So fill it with everything you like, and keep true to yourself.

What we’re saying here is that it is your journal, not anyone else’s, there is no right or wrong way to do any of this — as long as it works for you!

Some people will worry about how good their writing is, some think they can’t draw or doodle, some people worry about missing little details. Don’t let any such fears stop you. You are journaling because you want to, and however you go about it, that’s okay! If it becomes messy, so be it, if it’s always crisp and clean then celebrate that too.

Your reader’s journal is ultimately a keepsake of all the fantastic journeys that books are able to provide. A creative reading log like this is a great way to celebrate what’s important in your own special book-reading world. You’ll be able to look back in the future and dip back into all the thoughts, ideas, and emotions that they’ve evoked.

Idea 4: Keeping a Journal of Bookish Details is Fine, but Celebrate with Creativity Too!

When you’re reading a brilliant book, you are basking in the creativity of the author, its creator. But actually, this is a team effort! Your own imagination is busy too. It’s your imagination that is creating the pictures for you; it’s immersing you in this other place; it’s reacting with thoughts, ideas, and emotions.

A book lover’s journal is the perfect place to express this! Whilst it’s great to be a book geek and record all the nitty-gritty details — such as publishing date, author’s age, even the ISBN if you’re into long numbers — don’t forget to also repay the author’s gift of creative thinking.

Some book journal ideas that help keep it creative

So, how can you do this? Well, there are so many different ways, it’s fine to find your own and enjoy the ride. Here are some ideas on getting creative in your reader’s journal:

• Have a go at doodling your thoughts about what you’re reading. This might be doodling imaginings about characters, places, or even ideas. Make your doodles quick and free, reacting openly to emotion, themes, and ideas. Don’t get too worried about how ‘artistic’ they are!
• Create a random poem with words taken from a passage or chapter, add it to your reading log and decorate it.
• Draw, color, or paint an image in your journal to represent something that’s really core or important about your book.
• Pick some favorite quotes or passages, and copy them into your journal with flourish and style. Decorate them with suitable symbols and doodles.
• Create a collage by cutting out from magazines, photos, and leaflets. Choose cuttings that speak to you in some way about the book, and arrange them on a page in your book journal, sticking them down with glue to create an interesting composition.

Idea 5: Book Lovers Binge on Brilliant Ideas

Your reader’s journal doesn’t have to stop at book reviews, reading lists, and reading goals. There are lots of creative and interesting extra pages you can add. Think about what you like most about the books you read and invent some special pages to reflect those ideas.

Here are some starter ideas for special pages that you can include in your creative book log. These are only ideas, adapt and add to them for your own reader’s journal.

• Create pages about specific characters you meet in a book. Build profiles of those characters using notes, doodles, and gluing stuff in. You can record characteristics, costumes, friendships, backgrounds, and much more.
• Write a letter to a character in the book, try surprising yourself by taking an opposite view and see where you land up.
• Invent some meals and drinks based on the plot or characters within a book.
• Write and design an imaginary magazine interview with one of the book’s characters and add it to your journal.
• Create a map of where everything takes place, add notes, doodles, and images. Maybe you might want to use a large sheet of paper and have it fold out from your reader’s journal like a regular map.

Idea 6: Get Giddy on Guidance with a Book Lover’s Guided Journal

If you find that the empty page in your new book journal is just a little bit too daunting, you’re suffering from the dreaded blank page syndrome. You’re not alone, many of us find making those first marks very difficult!

No more blank page worries!

Luckily, there is something that can help you smash down any such barriers, and that is to use a guided journal to inspire you recording your bookish passions. A guided journal makes it super easy by giving you prompts, ideas, and activities along the way. There are a number of preformatted book logs and book lover’s journals available, with templated pages for adding your book’s details and your own reviews. They can help you keep a record, often in a diary form, of all the books you read.

Introducing “The Book Lover’s Doodle Journal”

We think though, that you will want to go a step further with your creative expression of your love for books — and that is why we have created “The Book Lover’s Doodle Journal”.

‘The Book Lover’s Doodle Journal’ is packed with inventive ideas to help you express and record all the things that you love most about books and reading.

Create a beautiful visual record of your bookshelves, and plan your reading goals. Get inspired by brilliant excerpts from books you may know, and by some you may not, and create personal art, poetry, or collage. Doodle up groups of your favorite books, design a fantasy bookstore, invent a book-based dinner, and much more. Use this unique book lover’s journal to keep a creative doodle record of the next books that you read, with space alongside to log all the important details. You’ll also discover a range of bookish treats to cut out fold and keep, including bookmarks, swap cards, a pocket wish list, gift wrap, and more

‘The Book Lover’s Doodle Journal’ is the perfect place to celebrate your love of a good read. It’s available to buy now from Amazon or follow this link and find more details about this amazing creative reader’s journal.

Joseph Roulin, Vincent Van Gogh’s The Postman in the 1889 painting, was a remarkable friend to the artist. He helped him through the most difficult and notorious phase of his life. This much-loved painting features as the cover for our new interactive drawing book “Doodle from the Masters”. As you doodle or draw like Van Gogh, discover more about this touching friendship and the man behind the beard.

A Demonstration of Drawing like Vincent van Gogh with felt tip pens

David was our doodle artist in the short video above. He has been experimenting using our interactive book “Doodle from the Masters”. We caught up with him later and asked about his approach, and about his choice of media.

I chose felt tip pens for drawing from Van Gogh’s The Postman portrait because their colours are bright like the bold colours used in the painting, particularly in the face.

I started by quickly drawing in the outlines without rigorously following the printed lines – as though I was doing a sketch of my own – and I tried to continue this loose approach throughout the picture. When it came to the postman’s cap I painted the lettering first in bright yellow and then surrounded it with the blue/black of the cap.

The whole process took the best part of an hour and I enjoyed drawing loosely like Van Gogh very much. I am very pleased with the result.”

Joseph Roulin, Van Gogh’s postman friend in Arles

Vincent Van Gogh painted and drew Joseph Roulin on numerous occasions whilst living in Arles, in the south of France. He was in awe of his appearance, his full beard, smart blue uniform and colorful complexion; but also of his character, considering him to be something of a Socrates.

“Though he is not quite old enough to be like a father to me, nevertheless has a salient gravity and a tenderness for me such as an old soldier might have for a young one…  A good soul and so wise and so full of feeling and so trustful”

from Vincent Van Gogh’s letters

Joseph was 47 when Vincent first painted him. He was a local postal officer at the rail station, a passionate socialist, a keen drinker, but also a tender and proud father. Vincent was also attracted to his family. He painted various portraits of Joseph’s wife Augustine, his two sons, and his recently born baby daughter.

“It was touching to see him with his children this last day, especially with the quite tiny one when he made her laugh and jump on his knee, and sang for her. His voice has a strangely pure and touching quality…”

from Vincent Van Gogh’s letters

Vincent’s Van Gogh’s Ear

But the time spent in Arles was soon to become the most difficult of Van Gogh’s life. An explosive disagreement with fellow artist Paul Gauguin spiralled downward into a painful psychotic episode. Vincent sliced off part of his own ear, and later presented it for safe keeping to a local girl, Rachel. 

It was his postman friend Joseph, who helped Vincent during this the most traumatic of times. When they took Vincent in for treatment at the local psychiatric hospital Joseph was there for him. He visited him there and wrote to Vincent’s family to keep them updated. Joseph arranged that Vincent’s rent was paid and his house kept clean. On Vincent’s release he continued to visit him. Even returning later from a new position in Marseille to see his friend.

Vincent Van Gogh recorded his affection for Joseph Roulin and for his family too, in the wonderful series of Roulin portraits. He painted them all — Joseph of course, his wife Augustine, his 17 year old son Armand, Camille the 11 year old school boy, and little baby Marcelle.

Van Gogh’s The Postman is just one of 15 masterpieces to inspire your drawing

Introducing the ‘Doodle from the Masters’ book

Hone your creative talents doodling, sketching, coloring & drawing under the inspiration of great artists. Unique ready-made foundation drawings help you concentrate freely on your drawing and mark-making skills, without the need to worry about composition or proportion.
Read more

This page is a companion to our book “Romeo and Juliet: The Full Doodling Edition”. We also have related articles on the characters in Romeo and Juliet , as well as a handy scene-by-scene summary . All of this can be downloaded in our printable Romeo and Juliet Pocket Study’zine Pack which also includes fun doodling sheets.

Free Printable Romeo and Juliet Study Guide PDF

Download your free printable
Romeo and Juliet StudyZine

Studying Romeo and Juliet? Download this free pocket study guide, which includes four Romeo and Juliet Study’zines with doodling, made for easy printing at home or school.
Choose the best size for your printer and download for free:

Download (Letter Size)

Download (A4 Size)

This guide is a companion to our book

or Learn More…

Looking for themes and symbols in Romeo and Juliet

Themes are recurring preoccupations that appear within a play. Sometimes these take the form of language, sometimes as imagery. Many of Shakespeare’s plays contain similar overarching themes such as conflict and change; but each play also contains its own ‘fingerprint’ of deeper themes too. Here we explore some of the particular themes you can find in Romeo and Juliet.

Love and Hate

Romeo and Juliet is possibly Shakespeare’s most famous play, and everyone quickly recognises that love is the central theme. Equally as important though is the idea of opposing forces, and so hate plays a crucial role too.

Love is represented in many ways, firstly as the stylized ‘Petrarchan Love’ that lovesick Romeo feels for the unattainable Rosaline. Petrarch was an Italian poet whose soppy sonnets were popular in Tudor England. Like Romeo he also revelled in the melancholy of unrequited love; something that the play certainly has fun with – particularly via Romeo’s friends, Benvolio and Mercutio.

Paris steps forward to win Juliet with all the trappings of courtly love. Just as would be expected from a man of his status seeking the daughter of an important family. Love is present in terms of sexuality too; often through coarse and bawdy innuendo like that enjoyed by the Nurse and Mercutio.

In sharp contrast to all this though is the ‘true love’ experienced between Romeo and Juliet. We can easily recognise it as such. It matures as the plot progresses seemingly threatened only by the hate of others.

The play is laced with hate. Beginning, as we learn in the prologue, with the ‘ancient grudge’ of two feuding families; quickly made real through the vicious street fights and duels that end in such tragedy.

Fate and Free Will

More opposing ideas here too. At the very opening of the play the prologue warns us of this, kicking off with the idea of “A pair of star-crossed lovers” for whom fate has already decided the outcomes. It is in the hands of the stars. Tension is created as Romeo and Juliet experience premonitions of ill-fortune, yet neither lose their ability to act in free-will, opposing what others think to be their paths. Romeo even challenges fate directly when he learns of Juliet’s death, “Then I defy you, stars!”

Youth and Age

Many times you’ll see that the perceived differences between young an old fuel the events of the play. Contrast is made between the vigorous and sometimes impetuous emotions of youth against the more cautious wisdom which appears to come from maturity.

We find this in the relationship between Romeo and Friar Lawrence. “I stand on sudden haste” urges Romeo, “Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast” replies the Friar. Juliet is most clearly a character at odds with the older generation, namely her parents. The classic case of youth versus age. And yet this contrast is complex and should not be thought of as a cliché. At times Juliet’s maturity stands out against her father’s rash hot-headed fury. Indeed, when we think of the plans cooked up by the ‘wise’ friar, and the risks that he brings to the young couple, we might question how much wisdom age has really brought. Yet we feel impressed by his acquired knowledge of herbs, and reassured by his ability to remain calm in adversity.

Death

All of these themes ultimately tie up with the notion of death versus life. The play is full of references to death, both serious and playful. Life seems to be pretty cheap in Verona, and that death is never far away is reflected in richness of the language used to describe it: “death-mark’d love”, “canker death”, “love-devouring death”, “death-darting eye”, “death becomes thy friend”, “womb of death”, “death’s pale flag” and so on. It is the young that die here, their lives cut short early, whilst the older characters muse on the idea of death. “We were born to die” as Capulet puts it. Ultimately death is personified, rising up as a character present in the minds of the players. This is the most startling when Lord Capulet imagines Death, thinking that he has become Juliet’s bridegroom: “Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir; My daughter he hath wedded”.

Light and Dark

One of the most arresting and recurring symbols used throughout the play is that of light and dark. Romeo and Juliet meet at night, and much of the time we spend with them together is in the hours of darkness. But time and again Romeo sees nothing but light from Juliet, “Juliet is the sun” he says. So much of their shared language concerns light and dark. When we see Juliet anxiously awaiting the arrival of her love she talks of wanting the dark night to come sooner; “Come, night, come Romeo; come thou day in night”.

We can track this motif from the very start to finish. From the lovesick Romeo pining for Rosaline who “makes himself an artificial night”, to the physical darkness of the Capulet tomb where even in apparent death “Her beauty makes this vault a feasting presence full of light”.

Oppositions and Oxymorons

Along with the oppositions we’ve identified in theme and motif, oppositions also turn up spoken in the form of oxymorons. These literary devices are used within the play’s language to heighten the complexity and intensity of the emotions expressed.

For example, confronting his own unrequited love for Rosaline Romeo says “Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love. Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate!”. With this contradictory outburst ‘loving hate’, Romeo expresses his inner turmoil very neatly. And later, famously, Juliet expresses that “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Her words cleverly intensify the complex emotion she is obviously feeling, thus helping us to experience them too.

Related articles

Romeo and Juliet Characters: A Quick Study Guide

Romeo and Juliet Summary, a quick scene-by-scene synopsis

Look Inside ‘Romeo and Juliet’ – a Flip-Through Video

The illustrations in this article are from a reader’s own customized version of our book Romeo and Juliet: The Full Doodling Edition which is available at Amazon and from all good bookstores now. Learn more…

This Romeo and Juliet Summary is a companion to our book “Romeo and Juliet: The Full Doodling Edition”. We also have related articles on the themes of Romeo and Juliet, as well as the characters in Romeo and Juliet. All of this can be downloaded in our printable Romeo and Juliet Pocket Study’zine Pack PDF which also includes fun doodling sheets.

Free Printable Romeo and Juliet Study Guide PDF

Download your FREE printable
Romeo and Juliet StudyZine

Studying Romeo and Juliet? Download this free pocket study guide, which includes four Romeo and Juliet Study’zines with doodling, made for easy printing at home or school.
Choose the best size for your printer and download for free:

Download (Letter Size)

Download (A4 Size)

This guide is a companion to our book

or Learn More…

Romeo and Juliet Summary: Act 1

Act 1 Scene I: A Public Place in Verona

On a sun-baked street in Verona, servants of two rival families stir up an argument. Benvolio, a Montague, tries to bring peace just as Tybalt the hot-headed Capulet arrives. Soon it becomes a riot. The two family patriarchs arrive and join the fray. All stops on the arrival of Prince Escalus. Angered by the continuing violence, he threatens execution for any who fight in the streets again. Lord and Lady Montague ask Benvolio the whereabouts of their son, Romeo. Later Romeo speaks sadly to him of his unrequited love for a girl.

Act 1 Scene II: A Street in Verona

Meanwhile, the wealthy Count Paris asks Lord Capulet for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Capulet asks him to wait because Juliet is too young. He invites Paris to the Capulet’s feast. Soon Romeo and Benvolio hear of their rival family’s feast, and knowing that Rosaline will be there Romeo agrees to go.

Act 1 Scene III: A Room in the Capulet’s House

Lady Capulet and Nurse discuss Paris’s proposal. They try to persuade Juliet that he is a good match.

Act 1 Scene IV: A Street in Verona

Romeo, Mercutio, and friends, make their way to the feast. Mercutio teases Romeo with a tale of the fairy-queen Mab. But Romeo’s bad dream makes him uneasy.

Act 1 Scene V: A Hall in the Capulet’s House

At the feast Romeo spots the beautiful Juliet. Tybalt recognises him, and is outraged that Montagues have crashed the Capulet’s party. Lord Capulet rebukes Tybalt for wanting a fight. He leaves in a rage. Romeo and Juliet meet. It is love at first sight. Soon they discover they are in rival families.

Romeo and Juliet Summary: Act 2

Act 2 Scene I: An Open Place by the Capulet’s Garden

After the feast, thinking Romeo still love-sick for Rosaline, Benvolio and Mercutio search for him.

Act 2 Scene II: Capulet’s Garden

Romeo hides in the Capulet’s orchard and watches Juliet at her window. Unaware he is there, and despite the family feuds, she declares love for him. Romeo steps out of the shadows. They share a vow of love. Juliet asks that they make a secret plan to be married.

Act 2 Scene III: Friar Lawrence’s Cell

Early next day Romeo visits Friar Lawrence to ask the Friar to perform a secret wedding. He agrees, hoping it may reconcile the warring families.

Act 2 Scene IV: A Street in Verona

Mercutio jokes about Tybalt’s showy bravado and teases Romeo for his infatuations. The Nurse arrives seeking Romeo, and is crudely taunted by Mercutio. Romeo makes plans with the Nurse for his marriage to Juliet.

Act 2 Scene V: Capulet’s Garden

Nurse returns home to tell the impatient Juliet of the plans for the marriage.

Act 2 Scene VI: Friar Lawrence’s Cell

At the Friar’s cell the two lovers talk of love. They leave for the wedding ceremony.

Romeo and Juliet Summary: Act 3

Act 3 Scene I: A Public Place in Verona

On the street Benvolio fears trouble. Mercutio chides him and tries to provoke Tybalt. But Tybalt wants a quarrel with Romeo. Romeo appears and does not want to fight. He tries to calm Tybalt. Mercutio can’t understand this – so he challenges Tybalt himself. Romeo tries to intervene, but Mercutio is fatally wounded. Realising Mercutio is dead, Romeo fights and kills Tybalt, and then flees. Prince Escalus arrives and demands an explanation from Benvolio. Despite Lady Capulet’s call for Romeo’s death, the Prince decrees that Romeo is banished.

Act 3 Scene II: A Room in Capulet’s House

Knowing nothing of the day’s tragedy, Juliet longs for the arrival of her new husband, Romeo. When the Nurse arrives upset, Juliet wrongly thinks Romeo is dead. She soon learns of the deaths and the banishment. Devastated she threatens suicide, but the Nurse consoles her and promises to find Romeo.

Act 3 Scene III: Friar Lawrence’s Cell

The Friar tells Romeo of the Prince’s decree. Romeo is distraught. When the Nurse arrives speaking of Juliet’s sorrow, he too threatens suicide. The Friar sends Romeo to stay the night with Juliet, imploring him to leave early for Mantua next morning, where he will later send word.

Act 3 Scene IV: A Room in the Capulet’s House

The Capulets tell Paris of Juliet’s apparent grief at the loss of her cousin Tybalt. Lord Capulet rethinks, and plans a quick marriage for his daughter and Paris.

Act 3 Scene V: A Gallery to Juliet’s Chamber

Romeo and Juliet awake from their secret wedding night together. Romeo reluctantly leaves for Mantua. With a moments warning from Nurse, Lady Capulet enters to tell Juliet she is to marry Paris. Juliet refuses. Capulet arrives and is enraged by Juliet’s defiance. Her choice is marriage or disinheritance. The Nurse tries to persuade her to forget Romeo, but she flees to the Friar for help.

Romeo and Juliet Summary: Act 4

Act 4 Scene I: Friar Lawrence’s Cell

When Juliet arrives at the Friar’s cell, Paris is there talking wedding plans. He speaks of his love for Juliet, but she avoids responding. Paris gone, Juliet pleas for the Friar’s help, threatening suicide if she must marry again. The Friar hatches a plan to fake Juliet’s death with a sleeping potion. This will give them time to plan her to escape to Mantua. Juliet takes the potion away, and the Friar writes to Romeo to explain.

Act 4 Scene II: A Hall in the Capulet’s House

Juliet returns to her father seeking forgiveness. He is so pleased that he moves the wedding to the next day.

Act 4 Scene III: Juliet’s Chamber

Having sent the Nurse and her mother away, Juliet plucks up courage, and takes the Friar’s sleeping potion.

Act 4 Scene IV: A Hall in the Capulet’s House

Early in the morning the Capulets are still busy preparing for the wedding. Nurse is sent to wake Juliet to ready her for the ceremony.

Act 4 Scene V: Juliet’s Chamber

The Nurse cannot rouse Juliet, and believes she is dead. Grief spreads quickly as the household discover the tragic scene. As wedding turns into funeral, Friar Lawrence arrives offering consolation and assistance.

Romeo and Juliet Summary: Act 5

Act 5 Scene I: Mantua, a Street

Balthasar takes the news of Juliet’s ‘death’ to Romeo in Mantua. Romeo resolves to return to Verona to die at her grave. He finds a poor apothecary willing to sell him poison.

Act 5 Scene II: Friar Lawrence’s Cell

Friar Lawrence hears that by misfortune his letter to Romeo was not delivered. He realises immediately that his plan has broken. He will hurry to Juliet’s tomb to be there when she awakes from the potion.

Act 5 Scene III: A Churchyard and the Capulet’s Monument

That night Paris is visiting Juliet’s tomb to mourn. Romeo and Balthasar arrive. Romeo breaks into the tomb alone, and when Paris challenges him, he is killed. At the sight of what he believes is Juliet, dead, Romeo takes the poison.

Friar Lawrence rushes in, just as Juliet awakes, Romeo and Paris dead beside her. The Friar hears the watch coming and tries to persuade Juliet to leave. She refuses. He flees alone. Juliet looks on at the lifeless body of Romeo and tries the empty poison bottle. Just as the men arrive, she takes Romeo’s dagger and kills herself. Both Friar Lawrence and Balthasar are arrested. Prince Escalus, the Capulets and Lord Montague arrive. Friar Lawrence explains all to the Prince. Escalus reads Romeo’s letter and tells the feuding families to reflect. Driven by shared grief, Capulet and Montague reconcile. A statue to the tragic couple is promised.

Related articles

Romeo and Juliet Characters: A Quick Study Guide

Romeo and Juliet Themes: A Short Study Guide

Look Inside ‘Romeo and Juliet’ – a Flip-Through Video

How To Read Shakespeare – and Enjoy It! 12 Top Tips.

The illustrations in this Romeo and Juliet Summary are from a reader’s own customized version of our book Romeo and Juliet: The Full Doodling Edition which is available at Amazon and from all good bookstores now. Learn more…

This page is a companion to our book “Romeo and Juliet: The Full Doodling Edition”. We also have related articles on the themes of Romeo and Juliet, as well as a useful scene-by-scene summary. All of this can be downloaded in our printable Romeo and Juliet Pocket Study’zine Pack which also includes fun doodling sheets.

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Characters from the Montague’s Household

Romeo

Romeo Montague is the well-regarded son of an important Veronese family. He is serious and thoughtful, often led by his heart. Fresh from an unrequited infatuation, Romeo falls instantly in love with Juliet, daughter of the rival Capulet family. He and she marry in secret, and so follows ever-worsening disarray as the family conflict bars their happiness. When Romeo’s close friend Mercutio is killed by Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, he is overcome with a rage for revenge which leaves Tybalt dead, and he banished. Romeo becomes desperate, but finds guidance from his ally Friar Lawrence, with whom he confides. Romeo is loyal and devoted, and his love for Juliet is continually tested. With increasing maturity he never intentionally fails her, but it is his own rash hasty-minded action that often brings tragedy.

Benvolio

Benvolio is a Montague and cousin of Romeo. He spends a lot of time early on trying to help Romeo forget his lovesick infatuation for Rosalind. He is a peace-maker and acts with sense and maturity whenever a conflict is likely to arise. His name means ‘good wisher’, which sums him up nicely. Benvolio disappears from the play after explaining the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt.

Characters from the Capulet’s Household

Juliet

Juliet is the only daughter of the wealthy Capulet family. She meets Romeo at her family’s feast and instantly falls in love with him, only to discover he is from the rival Montague family. Although she is only thirteen, a wealthy count called Paris is already asking Juliet’s father about her hand in marriage. Initially her father feels she is too young. Juliet confides much in her nurse, who has looked after her since she was a baby. Her relationship with the Nurse is strong, maybe stronger than that with her mother, but it is tested to breaking point by the banishment of Romeo. Juliet is witty and loyal, but marries Romeo in secret. She defies her father and mother, and her increasing maturity can sometimes seem at odds with Romeo’s. Ultimately her resolute character establishes her as the play’s tragic heroine.

Lord Capulet

Capulet is Juliet’s father and patriarch of the wealthy Capulet household. Somewhat contradictory – he is both warm and caring, fun and convivial, but also domineering and hot-headed. He is protective of Juliet but becomes enraged when she disobeys him, threatening to throw her out to poverty. He blindly plays his part in the unfolding tragedy, and ultimately is the first to offer his hand in peace to end the family feud.

Lady Capulet

Juliet’s mother Lady Capulet was also married young. Her relationship with her daughter seems cold, especially compared to that of the Nurse and Juliet; but she is truly distraught at her death. There are hints that hers is a loveless marriage, the convention of which she looks on as merely a transaction.

Tybalt

Juliet’s cousin Tybalt is hot-headed and quarrelsome. He stands in complete contrast to Romeo’s cousin Benvolio. ‘Wild’ and ’bloody’, Tybalt embodies the family feud of the Montagues and the Capulets. It is he that angrily spots Romeo gate-crashing the Capulet’s feast, and it is his bravado that leads ultimately to the tragic duels and their consequences.

Nurse

The Nurse has cared for Juliet her whole life. She is fun, earthy, and enjoys her own naughty innuendo. She is loyal to Juliet, who confides in her fully. Nurse really wants to help Juliet find happiness with Romeo, and makes the secret arrangements for them both. However, when Lord Capulet’s plans for the marriage to Paris seem inevitable, she quickly changes course and makes Juliet feel betrayed. It is telling that Nurse seems insensitive to this moment – and it becomes a tipping point in the whole tragedy.

From the Court of Verona

Escalus

Prince Escalus personifies authority in Verona. His name suggests the scales of the justice. He acts to put an end to the fighting caused by the Capulet and Montague feud. But he shows mercy for Romeo following the killing of Tybalt in revenge for the death of his kinsman Mercutio.

Mercutio

Mercutio is Romeo’s sharp-witted friend and kinsman of the prince. His name suggests ‘Mercurial’ which describes his character well. His humor is cutting and his wordplay clever. He fights Tybalt for Romeo’s honor, not realizing the cause of his friend’s reluctance. His death is a turning point for Romeo.

Paris

Count Paris is a kinsman of Prince Escalus. He is wealthy and confident, and has decided he will marry Juliet. Juliet shows no real interest, but he is determined. It is particularly after Juliet’s death that we see clues that Paris held true feelings of love for Juliet.

Page to Paris

Characters in Mantua

An Apothecary

The Apothecary sells the fatal poison to Romeo, who describes him as thin to the bone with bushy eyebrows and tattered clothes. He seems thoroughly down on his luck willing to risk all for money.

Characters from the Church

Friar Lawrence

Friar Lawrence is a respected holy man, and both friend and advisor to Romeo. In many ways he is wise and well-meaning; helping and calming the young couple in their need. But he is also scheming and naive, hatching high-risk plans that put them at risk. Much of the tragedy that occurs originates with his plans, and in the end he hastily abandons Juliet in the tomb.

Friar John

A fellow Franciscan friar whom Friar Lawrence entrusts with delivering the all-important letter.

Other Citizens of Verona

Relations, Servants, Three Musicians, Citizens,
Maskers, Guards, Watchmen

Related articles

Romeo and Juliet Summary: A Handy Scene-by-Scene Synopsis

Romeo and Juliet Themes: A Short Study Guide

Look Inside ‘Romeo and Juliet’ – a Flip-Through Video

The illustrations in this article are from a reader’s own customized version of our book Romeo and Juliet: The Full Doodling Edition which is available at Amazon and from all good bookstores now. Learn more…

When it comes around to sitting down to actually read Shakespeare it can feel extra challenging. But the rewards are great, and so finding your way in is the key. Remember that even today Shakespeare’s stories touch millions of people around the globe. There are good reasons for this. There is pleasure there for you too, it’s just waiting for your own discovery. These twelve top tips will help you find your way in.

12 Choose a Play that Interests You

It’s always a good place to start! Shakespeare was writing for a hungry public, and so he covered lots of ground. If you are about to read Shakespeare for the first time then choosing the right play will help tremendously. Luckily variety is not a problem. I’d recommend starting with one of the most popular ones. Something like ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Othello’ or ‘The Merchant of Venice’. Don’t jump in first with the mangled Roman bloodthirst that is ‘Titus Andronicus’ (unless of course that’s your very particular thing), nor perhaps with Shakespeare’s most notoriously difficult play ‘Timon of Athens’. Pick a genre and a subject that sounds appealing and then dive in.

There are some very good short summaries of the plays that you can read to help you choose. Meanwhile I’ve included a useful link that I can recommend at the end of this article.

11 Cosy Down with a Good Shakespeare Movie First

Many people first come to Shakespeare through a movie, and there are plenty of brilliant ones to choose from.

Cinema is a chance to see Shakespeare’s plays done differently. As with live theatre, directors, actors and designers work hard creating their own visions for the plays. Whilst there are many films that are inspired by Shakespeare’s stories (such as ’10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999) – based on ‘The Taming of the Shrew’), there are also many that offer Shakespeare’s original language and plot structure. However, if you’re following along with a play-script you may be surprised to find large bits are missing and scenes have moved around. It’s in the nature of film that things may be done differently than they are live on a stage.

If you are intending to read Shakespeare for study, there’s a lot to be said for watching more than one cinematic interpretation of the same play. A good example is ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Watch Baz Luhrmann’s turbo-charged 1996 version for a very different vision of the story than Franco Zeffirelli gives us in his romantic 1968 production. As you get to know a play, spotting those different approaches in character, mood and setting can be great fun, and often thought-provoking too.

10 Sneak in with a Scene-by-Scene Synopsis

Essential if you’re just starting out on your reading journey with Mr. Shakespeare. It’s no cheat to have a handy scene-by-scene synopsis to help you through. The main thing to remember here is that you want to enjoy the story as it unfolds. Read a scene of the play, and then if you find you needed some help, read its synopsis before moving on to the next scene. If at first you are really struggling, then read the scene synopsis before you take on reading the scene in the play. As you ease in, gradually you’ll find you need that extra help less and less.

9 Read Along with a Shakespeare Audio Book

Enjoy a more lively page-by-page experience and read Shakespeare alongside listening to an audio-book production. This will help you find your way through. Don’t get hung up on every difficult word or phrase, it will all begin to fit together and make sense as the play proceeds.

I’d recommend you choose a version of your play read by a full professional cast rather than a single narrator (although some very good solo readings do exist too). Listen to a sample first if you can, and hear if these are voices that work for you. That’s because audio productions vary greatly in approach and talent. We particularly like the Arkangel Shakespeare series – where all 38 plays are available in audio format performed by some truly fantastic actors, many of whom have worked with the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company.

Listening as you read Shakespeare also helps you to pronounce some of those unexpected words, but more importantly will help you to discover how important pace and rhythm can be for fully understanding what’s being said.

8 Read Shakespeare Out Loud with Friends

As mentioned right up top, Shakespeare didn’t write his plays for solitary book-reading. These stories were created to be spoken and heard.

There is nothing better than gathering a few friends or family members and reading as a group — and Shakespeare is just perfect for this. Get some snacks in, pour a glass of something nice, and get comfy.

Split up the roles how you wish, or simply read the lines of the play alternately around your group. That way everyone gets a go at being fierce like Macbeth, or head-over heels in love like Juliet. Don’t be judgemental, give it your best, and remember to have fun! You’ll learn from each other and probably surprise yourself too.

7 Listen to a Shakespeare Podcast

We love podcast listening. In case you don’t know – podcasts are episodes of audio series that you can download to your computer, phone or tablet for listening whenever you want.

There are some excellent podcasts to be found out there covering all the plays, their study, and performance, as well as insights into the author’s life and times.

A few great places to start listening are:
‘Shakespeare Unlimited‘ from The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington. You’ll discover many enjoyable episodes covering a wide range of features from ‘Shakespeare’s Kitchen’ to ‘Playing Hamlet’ to ‘Hip Hop Shakespeare’. For a warm audio welcome from the good people at The Folger go to https://www.folger.edu/shakespeare-unlimited

‘No Holds Bard‘ the Shakespeare podcast they tell us that Shakespeare would have listened to! This energetic and hugely enjoyable ongoing podcast series includes the helpful ‘So You’re Going to See…’ episodes. These get you up to speed on individual plays, perfect for listening before ‘going to see’. Find it here at https://www.noholdsbard.com/

‘Such Stuff: The Shakespeare’s Globe podcast‘ takes you behind the scenes for a regular dip into the world of Shakespeare’s Globe on Bankside in London. Check it out at https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/discover/backstage/such-stuff-podcast/

6 Be not afraid of Shakespearean Language

To our ears Shakespeare’s language can seem strange and difficult at first. Even seasoned Shakespeare-goers can find it takes them a little while to ‘tune in’ at the beginning of a production, and the same is true when you read Shakespeare.

Don’t forget that these plays are human voices, just ones from a different era. They talk to us directly across the centuries from a time where environment, manners, sounds, sights and smells were often different to our own. But the core of what these characters are talking about — honestly, we still share very directly with them. Laughter, fear, anger, love, betrayal, envy, greed, pride, lust – all elements of the human condition – all as relevant to us now as the day they were first written.

At first don’t worry about every single word making sense to you. It will come; and as you progress you will get what’s going on without having to pause on every other line to look something up.

5 All the World’s a Stage – So See Shakespeare Live

Nothing beats it. In my own opinion, seeing a good quality creative production is the best way to experience Shakespeare’s plays. But a word of caution, sitting through a bad production has been known to put people of the idea of Shakespeare for life! We shouldn’t have to pretend that all productions are good. As an exacting man of the theatre, I’m sure Shakespeare himself would have held strong opinions on the matter! So don’t be afraid to be choosy.

For that reason do some research first. Check out the reviews, ask people’s opinions and ensure your first outing to see Shakespeare live will be an enjoyable and memorable one. The famous companies are usually reliable for their quality and high values. Companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Shakespeare’s Globe here in England. You’ll be able to learn who’s good in your part of the world. Don’t rule out some of the smaller scale productions either, they can be truly excellent too.

If getting to a theatre is difficult, check out and see if any productions are live-streaming to your local cinema. That’s often an excellent way to see live theatre productions you’d otherwise have to miss.

4 Keep Notes and Spill Your Thoughts

We are strong believers in making Shakespeare your own. He belongs to us all, and the magic of his writing is such that we can all find something relevant within.

As you read Shakespeare, make notes. Make notes on your thoughts and questions. Make notes on your ideas and on your understanding. Scribble in the margins, underline bits, fold the pages – make that copy as personal as you can.

It’s because we think this is so important that we have created the ‘Doodle Through Shakespeare‘ series. Inside these books you are totally encouraged to write, doodle, scribble, color and stick stuff all over the play as you read through.

No matter what level your writing or doodling skills, you will find this an excellent way to improve comprehension and recall, and more importantly it makes the whole experience such fun.

3 Get Some Background

“What’s past is prologue” says Antonio in ‘The Tempest’. He means that what has happened before influences what happens now.

Get a feel for the past as it connects to both the themes of Shakespeare’s stories and to his own times. This can immeasurably increase your understanding and enjoyment when you read Shakespeare. Even for a modern interpretation, knowledge of context and history rewards you with greater immersion and involvement.

Luckily there’s lots of background to discover here, and the area is an incredibly well-served one. There are excellent books, movies, podcasts and articles on all of these themes, and exploration of them need not be at all dry like a badly-taught history lesson!

So, did ‘Macbeth’ really bloody his hands in ancient Scotland? What might swordsmanship have meant to young Romeo’s 17th century mind? How did Shakespeare’s audiences first see his plays? Search, discover and enjoy.

As a couple of quick recommendations, and although it may not answer all of those specific questions – you might enjoy dipping into ‘The Friendly Shakespeare’ an enjoyable companion book by Norrie Epstein. Also Ben Crystal’s excellent book ‘Shakespeare on Toast’ does a brilliant job of breaking down the imagined barriers that surround Shakespeare.

2 Read Shakespeare with Pace & Rhythm

I said earlier that these are human voices from over 400 years ago, but honestly that’s not to say that people actually spoke like that in Shakespeare’s day.

Why? Well, because much of the plays’ writing is actually poetry; in other words ‘verse‘ rather than ‘prose‘. Prose, if you’re not sure, is the normal form of natural speech we use everyday. Consequently it does not have the set rhythmic structure of verse. Some characters in the plays speak prose, but more often you’ll find them speaking less-natural sounding verse.

The terms poetry and verse often make us think of something that rhymes, but it does not need to at all. Blank verse is a term used specially to describe verse where there is no rhyming structure. Blank verse is what you will encounter most when reading Shakespeare.

So what makes it blank verse as opposed to prose? Well, it’s essentially to do with rhythm, and the rhythm Shakespeare liked most has a name, it’s called iambic pentameter. It’s like a beat pattern in every line and sounds something like:

da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM

Pentameter means five ‘measures’ of rhythm per line, and iambic means two beats to each of those measures (and also that the stress emphasizes on the second beat) . Again so:

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Shall I com pare thee to a summ er’s day?
da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM

It’s worth knowing that what we will speak as a single sentence or phrase may be spread across several new lines of verse in the play. You don’t have to break up your speech by pausing on each new line, keep going until you get to some punctuation.

One last heads-up here – part of Shakespeare’s genius is the way he sometimes breaks these rules. He does this for dramatic effect, and not to merely mess with your mind just as you’re getting the hang of it!

1 Read Shakespeare and Get Creative

Don’t just read Shakespeare, get creative whilst you’re reading. It’s good for us all to find a creative outlet – for example research has shown that doodling and drawing quickly increases blood flow to the area of our brains that contain the reward centres. Fantastic! Hang on though, but what if you think you can’t draw at all? That’s not going to feel very rewarding is it? Well actually, that same research found that doodling rewards us all equally, no matter how much artistic talent you think you do or don’t have.

Getting creative as a response to your reading helps you feel more involved, and so keeps you keen on continuing. I’ve already mentioned the value of notes and scribbles, but you can do more. If you already have a creative talent or pastime, now’s the time to start connecting it to your reading. If not – now’s a good time to have a go! Maybe you paint? Try making a painting inspired by the play. Perhaps you’re a keen photographer – go looking for imagery that resonates to the story or the characters. Love cooking? Try inventing a meal that celebrates the scene you have just read. You get the idea!

We feel so strongly that creative activity can increase your enjoyment of reading Shakespeare, that we are working on a series of interactive books that encourage just that.

The ‘Doodle through Shakespeare’ series each contain not only the full text of the play, but also lots of themed doodling prompts with space to write, scribble, draw, snip, colour and stick stuff. It’s a book to fully customize, enjoy and make your own. And even if you don’t make a single mark of your own, it’s still a handsome illustrated edition with clearly laid out pages and lots of useful notes and annotations. We have already published ‘Romeo and Juliet: The Full Doodling Edition’ and have more titles coming soon. Subscribe if you would like to hear from us as new titles are published.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS POST

For some excellent summaries of all the plays visit:
http://shakespearequotesandplays.com/william-shakespeare-plays-complete-list/

Here are the links to the three podcasts mentioned in the post:
https://www.folger.edu/shakespeare-unlimited
https://www.noholdsbard.com/
https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/discover/backstage/such-stuff-podcast/

You can find more details of the Arkangel Shakespeare audiobook series on amazon.com from where they are also available to stream individually via audible.com

You can visit the site of the Royal Shakespeare Company (England) here:
https://www.rsc.org.uk/
and Shakespeare’s Globe (England) here:
https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/

For more details of Norrie Epstein’s book ‘The Friendly Shakespeare‘ go here:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/323373/the-friendly-shakespeare-by-norrie-epstein/

You can find out more about Ben Crystal’s excellent ‘Shakespeare on Toast’ here:
http://www.shakespeareontoast.com/

You can read more about our own book ‘Romeo and Juliet: The Complete Doodling Edition‘ here.

Available at Amazon, or from all good bookshops worldwide.

Here’s a new flip-through video tour that we’ve made for the book. It shows just one example of how great it looks having been lovingly customized by a reader. Yours, of course, would look totally personal and different! How ever you want it to.

You can find out more about our ‘Doodle Through Shakespeare’ book here.

or Learn More…

If you’re about to start reading Shakespeare for the first time you might like these top 12 tips on How to Read Shakespeare and enjoy it too!

Sherlock Holmes has to be the most famous literary detective of all time. His hugely enjoyable adventures are read by millions around the world. To draw an easily recognizable doodle of him it helps to think about all the elements we know and associate with him. Most obvious is the deerstalker hat, the pipe, the Inverness cape, and perhaps a magnifying glass.

It’s fascinating how a popular image emerges for those who live only in our imagination. “A gentleman who never lived and will never die” as Orson Welles once put it. “There are only a few of them, these permanent profiles, ever lasting silhouettes on the edge of the world.” Sherlock Holmes’ image has changed over the years since he first appeared in print in 1887. It’s credit to his own longevity that new interpretations are still appearing, each adding to his status as the greatest detective.   Still, there are many features that have become fixed in our imaginings though. Today we are picking up a few of those for our own easy drawing of Sherlock Holmes.

Your Free ‘How to Draw a Sherlock Holmes’ Printable Worksheet

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Print it out at home, then grab a pen and get doodling on this fun worksheet with its step by step instructions and foundation sheet.

FREE SHERLOCK DOODLE WORKSHEET

Let’s get drawing Sherlock Holmes step by step…

Draw some foundation shapes

We’re going to draw Sherlock Holmes as a head and shoulders view. So first we will draw a few simple guide shapes that will help you get his likeness as you proceed. Draw these lightly as they are for your guidance rather than part of the finished drawing.

Step 1 (above): Getting started

Start off by drawing a simple circle.

Step 2: Sherlock’s ‘Thin, eager face’

We know from the original Sherlock Holmes stories that he had a “thin, eager face”, and he has often been portrayed that way. Add a triangle guide shape below the circle (see the way I have done this below). It will help you draw the outline of Holmes’ face later. You don’t need to draw the size markers, these are here to help you think about the proportion of the head to the face and chin.

Step 3: Finish the foundation drawing

We now draw a sloping curved line across the circle. Imagine it to be a line drawn around a ball. It starts on the left at about half the total height and curves upwards slightly around the head to the right. Next drop a vertical line down from this line to be our guide for the nose. This should be roughly a quarter of the overall height long. Finally draw a horizontal line to mark the position of the mouth.

Draw in Sherlock Holmes’ facial features

Step 4: Sherlock Holmes’ nose

Sherlock Holmes is often portrayed with a fairly long nose. In the stories, it is described as being ‘thin’ and ‘hawk-like’. Use the guide line you’ve already drawn to position and draw the nose. The curving guide line through the circle is very helpful for then positioning eyes and brows. Think about showing a thoughtful expression with the brow. Perhaps take time to look in a mirror at how your own brows move to take this expression. That curving guide line is also useful for drawing in the cheekbones and also the ear. Put Sherlock’s ear just behind the place where the jaw guide line meets the circle. Finish with the mouth.

Step 5: A long thin face

We want to give the impression of his long thin face, so draw in the chin which does most to emphasize this. Use the guide line you have already drawn to help you get the position right. In our drawing Holmes’s forehead is hidden under a hat. Define this boundary by drawing two sweeping curving lines to create a brim at the front just above his eyes. He is described as having black hair — “His head was sunk upon his breast, and he looked from my point of view like a strange, lank bird, with dull grey plumage and a black top-knot.” Draw in some hair where it shows behind his ear and below his hat.

Drawing the famous deerstalker hat, pipe and cape

Step 6: Draw a deerstalker hat

We all know that Sherlock Holmes wore a deerstalker hat, it’s his most famous trade-mark attire! But actually, throughout the entire stories it is only ever described once, and then as an “ear-flapped travelling-cap”. Draw in the deerstalker hat, along with its ear flaps which tie up in a bow at the top. Note that the height of the hat extends up above the guide line circle of his head, as it would when you or I wear a hat.  With that hat, he’s really beginning to look like Sherlock now.

Step 7: Sherlock’s pipe

Next comes the pipe. Sherlock Holmes is noted for smoking a pipe, and he appears to have several throughout the stories. He even favors different ones depending on his mood. Oddly he isn’t described smoking a curvy calabash pipe — but that is how he is most often portrayed. So, let’s keep him instantly recognizable and at least draw in a curvaceous shaped pipe for him. Perhaps add a trail of smoke to give your drawing a sense of animation.

Step 8: A cape and collar

We’ll finish him by adding some clothing. Another common portrayal for Sherlock Holmes is the cape. We often think of it as an ‘Inverness’ cape, but more accurately it was an ‘Ulster’. We only need to draw a simple representation of this, so add a high collar, shoulders, and maybe a button.

Step 9: Here’s Sherlock

Well done! You have now drawn a fine doodle of Sherlock Holmes.

Step 10: Add some decoration and color

It’s looking great. Keep that enthusiasm going! Why not add a decorative frame and a Victorian-style name banner? Finally, get your pens and paints out to add a nice wash of color to really finish it off.

Introducing the ‘Read + Doodle’ book with Sherlock Holmes Story

Read Sherlock Holmes and get doodling in

The new ‘Read + Doodle’ Paperback Book

The classic Sherlock Holmes story ‘A Case of Identity’ is one of four inspiring short stories included in our handsome new paperback book. Our ‘Read + Doodle Book 1’ contains 20 days of classic short reads and fun daily drawing & coloring ideas. You can order copies direct from Amazon now, with next day delivery in many locations.
See our book page for more details.

Available at Amazon

Inspired by an iconic Virginia Woolf portrait

Our inspiration for this new artwork comes from the iconic portrait of Virginia Woolf photographed by G.C.Beresford in 1902. Virginia Stephens as she was then, was only 20 years old and not yet married to Leonard Woolf. She was accompanied at the sitting by both her father Sir Leslie Stephens and her sister Vanessa. They both also had their portraits taken by Beresford, who had recently set up his studio in Knightsbridge, London.

What’s most striking about these beautiful early photographs is Virginia’s familiar aquiline profile and deep thoughtful eyes. The platinotype method employed by Beresford creates a photographic print which has an atmosphere all of its own. These prints are warm and romantic, with soft reddish-brown tones. In our Virginia Woolf portrait print we have endeavored to keep that sense of romance, combining soft loose marks with sharper sepia-brown lines.

Virginia Woolf — portrait reluctant

Later in life Virginia Woolf was actually not a keen portrait-sitter at all. But in a world so connected into artistic circles it was inevitable she would become the subject anyway. Many later portraits exist both as photographs and paintings.  Virginia’s sister the artist Vanessa Bell painted perhaps the most at-ease images of her. Many photographers, including the famous Man Ray, made portraits throughout her life — sometimes to her own irritation. In a letter of 1939, Virginia complained angrily about photographs by Gisèle Freund being exhibited.

“I am in a rage. That devil woman Gisele Freund calmly tells me she’s showing those d—d photographs—and I made it a condition she shouldn’t. Don’t you think it damnable?—considering how they filched and pilfered and gate crashed—the treacherous vermin. Do give her a piece of your mind if you see her. I loathe being hoisted about on top of a stick for any one to stare at.” – From a letter to Vita Sackville-West, August, 1939

How to get and use your free Virginia Woolf printable art print

You can download our high-resolution Virginia Woolf Portrait Print in an easily printable PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format from the page linked at the end this article. We have two versions included, one for standard Letter Size paper (8.5inch by 11inch) and one for A4 Size (210mm by 297mm).

You can print out this lovely artwork straight away using any good inkjet or laser printer, then simply frame it and treasure it! If you are intending to display the portrait we would suggest choosing photo-quality matte paper and printing using your printer’s highest quality setting. An alternative is to take it to your local print shop and have it printed out for you there. You can open and print the files from your computer using Adobe Acrobat ® Reader. If you don’t already have it, Acrobat Reader is available to download free from here.

Introducing Doodle Read’s Virginia Woolf Edition

Read the Virginia Woolf episodes and get doodling in
The new ‘Read + Doodle’ Paperback Book

Virginia Woolf’s intriguing short story ‘The Mark On The Wall’ is one of four inspiring short stories included in our handsome new paperback book. Our ‘Read + Doodle Book 1’ contains 20 days of classic short reads and fun daily drawing & coloring ideas. You can order copies direct from Amazon now, with next day delivery in many locations.

Now available on Amazon Or see the book page for more details.

Get your FREE Virginia Woolf Portrait Print

Click either button below to download this free Virginia Woolf printable.
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