This easy drawing tutorial shows how to draw a cartoon caterpillar with a sweet face.
We will build it with simple curved lines and round body segments.
Take your time, and keep your shapes light until you like the proportions.
What You Will Need
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Black marker or pen
- Paper
- Optional: colored pencils or crayons
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:
19 minutes.
Step-by-Step Drawing Guide
Step 1: Sketch the Antennae Shapes
Near the upper middle of the page, draw two inward-curving comma shapes, one on each side.
Add a thinner parallel line inside each curve to give the antennae some thickness.
Pro Tip: Keep both antennae the same height and curve so the caterpillar feels balanced.
Step 2: Draw the Head and Face
Under the antennae, draw a big rounded head outline with a softly curved bottom.
Add two round eyes with small crescent highlights, then draw a tiny smiling mouth.
Pro Tip: Keep the eyes level and evenly spaced, and place the smile slightly below them.
Step 3: Add the Body and Tiny Legs
Draw a large oval body behind the head, touching it softly on the right side.
Under the head, add two small U-shaped legs to show a crawling pose.
Pro Tip: Make the body oval slightly bigger than the head for a cute caterpillar proportion.
Step 4: Add a Second Body Segment and Back Legs
Draw a second, larger round or oval segment behind the first body, with a little overlap.
Add two small U-shaped legs under the new back segment near the bottom.
Pro Tip: Make the back segment slightly larger and keep the overlap line clear.
Step 5: Add a Third Body Segment and the Last Leg
Draw a final rounded tail segment behind the second segment, with a small overlap.
Add one more small U-shaped leg under the tail near the bottom right.
Pro Tip: Make the tail segment slightly smaller or rounder so the body tapers nicely.
Step 6: Add One More Tail Segment and a Final Foot
Behind the previous tail, draw one more smaller rounded segment to extend the caterpillar.
Add a small U-shaped foot under the very end, placed a bit farther back.
Pro Tip: Let the segments get slightly smaller toward the tail for a smooth taper.
Step 7: Color in your drawing!
Fun Facts
- Caterpillars are the larval stage of butterflies and moths.
- Many caterpillars move with a wave-like motion, gripping with tiny legs called prolegs.
- Some caterpillars use bright colors to warn predators that they taste bad.
Pin it now, Draw later!
Trace your final lines with a pen, then erase any extra sketch marks.
If you want color, try a bright green body with soft stripes on each segment.
Now you know how to draw a cartoon caterpillar step by step—draw a few in different sizes to make a whole crawling family.
Get the FREE Printable Drawing Guide
FREE Download Printable Cartoon Caterpillar Drawing Tutorial
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make my caterpillar look even cuter?
Make the eyes larger, keep the mouth small, and round the head a bit more.
What if my body segments look uneven?
Lightly sketch each segment first, then adjust the sizes before you ink.
Can I turn this caterpillar into a butterfly later?
Yes, draw a cocoon nearby, then add a simple butterfly with big wings on the next page.
