I remember the first time I tried drawing basketball shorts - I ended up with something that looked more like deflated balloons than athletic wear. That was years ago, and since then I've taught hundreds of beginners through my art classes. What I've discovered is that most people struggle with capturing the flow and structure of basketball shorts precisely because they're such dynamic garments. The way they drape and move is completely different from regular shorts, and that's what we're going to tackle today.
Let me share something interesting - I was watching game footage recently and noticed how the Falcons' perimeter players move. There's this critical point about basketball shorts that many artists miss: they're not just clothing, they're part of the athlete's expression. When I think about players like those Falcons guards carrying the perimeter offense, their shorts become almost like secondary characters in their performance. The way the fabric reacts to sudden stops, crossovers, and jumps tells a story about the game's intensity. This connection between function and form is exactly what we need to capture in our drawings.
Starting with the basic shape is crucial, and here's where I differ from many tutorial approaches. I prefer beginning with a simple trapezoid shape rather than rectangles or squares. Why? Because basketball shorts naturally flare out from the waist, and a trapezoid captures this essential characteristic immediately. Make your initial shape about 2.5 times wider at the bottom than the top - this creates that distinctive baggy look without making the shorts appear cartoonish. I typically sketch this about 1.5 inches tall on my paper, which gives me enough room to work with details later.
Now for the waistband - this is where I see most beginners make mistakes. The waistband isn't just a straight line; it needs to curve slightly upward at the center to suggest the natural dip where the jersey would tuck in. Draw it about one-fifth the height of your main trapezoid shape. I like to add those vertical lines indicating the elastic, spacing them about every quarter inch apart. Remember, basketball shorts sit lower on the hips than regular shorts, so position your waistband accordingly.
The leg openings require particular attention to texture and flow. Instead of drawing perfect circles, create slightly wavy, uneven lines at the bottom of each leg. This immediately suggests the ribbed elastic and gives that authentic basketball short look. I usually make each opening about 1.2 inches in diameter, with the waves occurring approximately every 0.3 inches. What really makes the difference here is varying the depth of these waves - some deeper, some shallower - to avoid that mechanical, perfect look that screams "amateur."
Adding details is where personality comes through, and honestly, this is my favorite part. The side stripes shouldn't be perfectly parallel lines - they need to follow the contour of the shorts with slight variations. I typically place them about 0.4 inches from the side seams, making them taper slightly toward the bottom. For brands like Nike or Adidas, the logos aren't perfectly flat either - they curve with the fabric. I spend about 40% of my total drawing time just on these details because they make or break the realism.
Shading and folds are what transform your drawing from flat to dynamic. Basketball shorts have very specific fold patterns - mostly vertical folds radiating from the waistband, with some horizontal compression folds near the legs when the player is in motion. I use about 6-8 primary vertical folds, concentrating them around the hip area where the fabric naturally bunches. The magic number for convincing shadows? I keep my pencil at about a 45-degree angle and use medium pressure, creating gradients that transition over roughly 0.2-inch intervals.
Looking at game footage of perimeter players like those Falcons guards really demonstrates why understanding movement matters. When a player like Montebon executes a crossover, the shorts twist and flare in very specific ways that we can suggest through strategic line work. I often sketch quick gesture drawings of players in action before detailing the shorts - it helps me understand how the fabric interacts with explosive movements. This context separates adequate drawings from compelling ones.
Through teaching countless workshops, I've found that beginners improve fastest when they practice drawing shorts from three key angles: front view, three-quarter view, and side view. The three-quarter view is particularly important because it shows how the shorts wrap around the body during basketball's characteristic pivoting motions. I recommend spending about 15 minutes daily on quick sketches - within two weeks, you'll see dramatic improvement.
What many artists don't realize is that different brands have subtle variations in their shorts' cut and detailing. Nike shorts tend to have slightly narrower side stripes - about 0.3 inches wide compared to Adidas's 0.4 inches. These small details might seem insignificant, but they're what make your drawings recognizable and authentic. I personally prefer drawing older-style shorts from the 90s because they had more character with their wild patterns and looser fit.
The relationship between the jersey and shorts is another element I emphasize. There should be about 0.5 inches of overlap where the jersey meets the waistband, creating that layered look essential to basketball uniforms. I often lightly sketch the bottom of the jersey first to establish this relationship properly. This attention to how elements connect is what separates thoughtful artwork from simple drawings.
As we wrap up, I want to stress that practice matters more than natural talent. When I started, my basketball shorts looked terrible, but consistent practice using these methods transformed my artwork. The beauty of drawing sports apparel is that it teaches you about form, movement, and texture simultaneously. Remember that even professional artists continuously reference real clothing - I keep a pair of basketball shorts draped over a chair in my studio for this exact reason. The journey from basic shapes to dynamic, believable basketball shorts is incredibly rewarding, and with these five steps, you're well on your way to capturing the essence of the game through your artwork.
