How to Draw Your Own Cartoon Character

Last Updated: June 1, 2022

Bored? Why not draw your very own cartoon character? Drawing is a great way to relieve boredom, and it also helps your creativity fly! Read this article how to draw the perfect character!

Steps

1
You need an idea. How about drawing a character from your favorite website? One great place to start is trying to draw a WeeMee from WeeWorld.com
1. When you draw the face first, don't add a nose, just do a simple black outline.
2. Then, draw the features. Don't use colored pencils, just your main writing utensil.
3. Then, add the clothes, and hairstyle. Remember to use your imagination!
4. Erase any unwanted lines. Now color with artist utensils, such as paintbrushes, colored pencils, crayons, etc. Remember to add some detail to your character, make it pop out.
2
You have officially have made your very own cartoon! Okay, so it wasn't really your idea.

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3
Next, you are going to draw on the back.
4
With this new piece of paper, you will draw another character. But this time, change around the features. Make the eyes bigger, neon skin, and maybe crazy hair. Try clothes that you would wear, or ones you wish you could get. Change the size around and make the features different ... add a nose, things like that. Now, color your creation.
5
Now begin to compare. Notice the difference? One is an imitation -- and the other is all you! Now, grab a new piece of notebook paper.
6
Start jotting down different ideas. Maybe you want to draw a cute Labrador Retriever. Or, maybe you want to draw a cute little baby! Your cartoon could even be about a talking apple or something.
7
Grab your other piece of paper. Draw the character you imagine. Try using a Sharpie marker for the outline, carefully tracing the pencil first. Erase any stray marks on the piece of paper. Next, use writing utensils such as crayons, markers, colored pencils, or even pastels. Paint works good, too.
8
Grab your notebook sheet again. Write down an idea of a comic series! Make a plot, funny lines you could use, and other characters.
9
Fold the blank sheet of paper. Make it into about fourths. Next, draw your main character, just using a pencil first.
10
Draw the other characters, but only the basic outline.
11
Draw the background and furniture, trees or anything else.
12
Go back and add detail. Outline with Sharpie or black marker. Erase any and all stray marks. Color if wanted.
13
Add dialogue, and action works.
14
And there you have it. Your perfect, awesome, totally YOU cartoon! Congratulations!

Community Q&A

Question

How do I exaggerate the cartoon character?

Community Answer

Exaggerate the character's features by stretching or compressing the nose, mouth, eyes, face, ears etc.
Question

How do I create a chibi character?

Community Answer

Make the head big and roundish and the body small and squat, with short chubby arms and legs and small hands and feet. The eyes should be larger than normal, possibly filled with humongous sparkles from reflected light, and the nose and mouth tiny, almost nonexistent (unless the character is screaming or sneezing, etc.). If this is not helpful, you can look for manga drawing guide books at public libraries: those usually have some chibi options.
Question

What if you want to draw someone that isn't fictional (a real person I know)? Do you do the same?

Community Answer

Yes. And there are plenty of art guidance books found in public libraries that can help with that. Otherwise, you might try looking at a photograph of said person and practicing on it.

Warnings

Copying other cartoons can get you in trouble if you get serious. Planning on getting a cartoon published? Don't copy others.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
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Remember that if you can fly in your cartoon, chances are you can't in real life. So, don't lose yourself when fantasizing. Leave the too-crazy things for paper and the press.

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