This easy drawing tutorial shows how to draw cartoon animals with simple shapes and calm, steady lines. You will build a cute, fluffy kitty character step by step, using curves and small details. Take your time, and enjoy watching your cartoon animal come to life.

What You Will Need

• Pencil (or a light sketch pen)
• Eraser
• Black marker or fineliner (optional, for outlining)
• Coloring tools (colored pencils, crayons, or markers)

Here are my RECOMMENDED Art Supplies!

• Crayola Coloring Set (140 Pieces – Mega Value!)
• 24 Colored Crayon Set
• A4 Printer Paper
• Crayola Coloring Pencils
• HP Home Printer with Instant Ink!

Time needed:

20 minutes.

Step-by-Step Drawing Guide

Step 1: Sketch the Head Top and Pointy Ears

Start with a wide curved line to form the top of a cartoon animal head. Add two pointy triangle ears on both sides, then draw a smaller inner line in each ear.

Pro Tip: Keep the ears similar in size, even if they are not perfectly matched.

Alt Text: A simple outline shows the top curve of a cartoon animal head with two pointy ears and small inner-ear lines.

Step 2: Add Cheeks and a Rounded Body

From under each ear, sketch the sides of the face and add a small bump for fluffy cheeks. Then draw two long curved lines down to form a plump body, leaving a short line at the bottom.

Pro Tip: Keep both body curves smooth and close to the same width.

Alt Text: The cartoon animal now has cheeky side bumps and a large rounded body outline added beneath the head.

Step 3: Add Big Eyes and a Cute Expression

Place two large round eyes in the upper half of the face, keeping them level, and add small highlight circles inside. Between the eyes, add a tiny round nose, then draw a small smiling mouth with two short curves.

Pro Tip: Lightly mark the eye centers first, then draw the circles to match.

Alt Text: The cartoon animal now has two large sparkling eyes, a tiny round nose, and a small smiling mouth added to the face.

Step 4: Add Whiskers on Both Sides

Draw three short straight whisker lines on each cheek, starting near the face edge and pointing outward. Angle the top line slightly up, keep the middle line flatter, and tilt the bottom line gently down.

Pro Tip: Match the whisker lengths and spacing on both sides for balance.

Alt Text: The cartoon animal face now includes three whisker lines on each cheek, extending outward from the fluffy sides.

Step 5: Add Overlapping Forearms and Two Foot Paws

In the lower half of the body, extend one long curved line from each side and bend them toward the center, so the forearms meet gently on the tummy. Add a few short split lines at the ends for tiny claw tips, then draw two separate half-oval foot paws at the bottom and mark the toes with small curves.

Pro Tip: Place both foot paws on the same level first, then add the arms.

Alt Text: The cartoon animal now has two curved forearms meeting at the center with small claw lines, plus two separate half-oval foot paws with toe marks.

Step 6: Add a Curved Tail on the Right

From the lower right side of the body, extend a long curve outward and bring a second curve back to form a plump tail. Near the tip, add a small zigzag band line to create a simple tail marking.

Pro Tip: Keep the tail thickness steady, and round the tip for softness.

Alt Text: The cartoon animal now has a rounded tail curving out on the right side with a zigzag stripe near the tip.

Step 7: Color in your drawing!

Fun Facts

• Many cartoon animals use big eyes and rounded shapes to look friendly and calm.
• Adding small markings, like a tail stripe, helps your character feel more unique.
• Simple face details can change the mood, even with the same head shape.

Pin it now, Draw later!

You have now built a complete cartoon animal character by layering easy shapes: ears, cheeks, a round body, a sweet face, paws, and a tail. If you want more depth, lightly shade under the cheeks, beneath the arms, and along the belly curve. Try coloring the tail tip a different color, or add soft stripes to the body for extra personality.

A common beginner mistake is placing the eyes too high or too far apart, which can make the face feel uneven. If that happens, gently erase and reset the eye centers before redrawing the circles.

Keep practicing this step by step drawing method, and try changing one feature at a time. You can make new cartoon animals by swapping ear shapes, whiskers, or tail styles.

Get the FREE Printable Drawing Guide

FREE Download Printable Cartoon Animals Drawing Tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make my cartoon animal look cuter?

Use larger eyes with clear highlights, and keep the head and body rounded. Small smiles and soft curves also help.

What if my two sides do not match?

That is normal for beginners. Check the center line of the face, then adjust one side with small, gentle changes.

Can I turn this into other cartoon animals?

Yes. Keep the same body, then change the ears, whiskers, and tail. You can also add spots, stripes, or different eye shapes.