How to Draw Cartoon Characters

Drawing is fun and sometimes it seems only a few people are gifted at it, but did you know that almost anyone can do it? It's just a matter of practice and determination to be better.

As you follow the steps to draw cartoon characters, have your pencil and paper ready. Use a regular number 2 pencil or a mechanical one and gather some blank paper. If you only have lined notebook paper, use it. You don't need expensive supplies if you're just starting out. This is just practice.

Gather some cartoon pictures of your favorite characters. Few people can draw from memory, but if you're one of those people, consider yourself lucky! If you're not, don't worry, you can develop your skills with practice.

Look at your character through artist's eyes. This means that you're going to see your character as lines and shapes. Study the picture before you start drawing.

Ask yourself questions about the character you chose. What is the shape of the eyes? How does the jaw line flow? Is the neck skinny or fat? Are the ears funny looking or small and dainty? Take mental notes of any particular feature that stands out.

Now you will begin drawing. With each line you draw look at the original image and make sure that you're drawing as similar as the other artist did. Draw lightly so that you can erase easily and constantly compare your work to the original and make any corrections you may need to make.

Start with the eyes. Draw the outline of the eyes, not the pupils or the iris, but the part where the eyelashes are. Draw the top part first and then the bottom part. Draw one outline at a time until you have both outlines on the paper. Next draw the iris and the pupil along with eyelashes and eyebrows.

Next draw the nose. Look at the original and see where the line of the nose begins. Is it above or below the eyes? That's where you will start. Is the nose a small circle set close to the eyes? Measure it if you need to and use the measurement in your own drawing. Do the same for the mouth.

Next draw the jaw line. This can sometimes be a little tricky and may require a lot of erasing so draw lightly and take your time. This gets easier with practice. The ears should be next. Sometimes there is only one ear on a cartoon character if the head is tilted. Size up where the top of the ear is in relation to the eyes. Is the top of the ear even with the eyebrows or the bottom of the eyes? Apply what you see to your own drawing.

Next is the neck. Cartoon character's necks are fun because they aren't always proportional and they are very easy. Necks are just two flowing lines. What if your character doesn't have a neck? Then you must have picked an animal, a non-human, or a chubby person. So draw the shoulders, which should be right under the jaw line if there is no neck.

Last is the hair. If the character has no hair, then draw the scalp. If there is hair, start with the bangs first, then draw the rest of the hair. Remember it's just one line at a time. All cartoon characters are made up of flowing lines that connect together to make a bigger picture.

Once you are finished, compare your work to the original, make any corrections and get ready for the fun part: darkening certain lines. Go back over all your lines with medium pressure. After that, outline the character in a thick line. You don't need to use hard pressure, just draw a line around the hair of your character about two tenths of an inch away from the hair. Then fill it in with your pencil. This will add the finishing touches that will make your work look professional.

Look back at the original. Are some lines darker than others? Darken those on your drawing, also.

Now you know the steps to getting started drawing cartoon characters. Always follow the rule of starting with the eyes, working down the face to the jaw line, draw the ears, neck and then the hair.

Don't worry about drawing bodies yet. Practice first on the head until you are comfortable and have confidence with your art. Don't get aggravated or impatient because drawing for fun is not a contest. Drawing is fun, relaxing, and a stress-reliever. Other people also love receiving hand-drawn art and cartoons of themselves. Characterizations are a great gift and once you hone your skills and develop your own style, everyone will be asking for you to draw a picture of them!