Drawing cats isn’t as intimidating as you think, it only takes patience and practice to perfect! Begin with a light pencil stroke while maintaining a relaxed grip. Start by sketching out the overall shape of the cat’s body, then focus on the details such as the fur and markings. With several easy steps, you can produce a realistic looking picture of a cat.
Draw the Body Outline
To create the outline of the cat’s body, you’ll want to start with a basic circle or ovular shape. Use your light pencil strokes to mark out the cat’s shape, leaving room for additional details later. Use smooth and confident strokes, drawing the body outline in one continuous motion. You’ll need this outline to work from for the rest of the drawing.
Sketch the Crucial Features
As you’re establishing the body outline, you’ll want to note the distinctive features. For example, you’ll want to indicate where the eyes and the nose go. Use a few light pencil strokes to mark the position of each feature. It’s perfectly fine if things look a bit “sketchy” at this point; you’ll be adding on details later.
Create Depth with Lines and Shading
Next, use your pencil to make various curved lines to create the cat’s fur. With soft, gentle motions, draw “flowing” lines along the contours of the body to indicate the fur’s direction. This is when shading comes into the picture; use your pencil to make shadows in the area between the “fur” lines. Layering the fur lines and shadows will help the image look more realistic.
Final Touches
To finish up, Strengthen the lines and shadows you’ve already drawn and add any accessories (bells, bows, etc.). Also, don’t forget to add texture to items like the ears or tail. Once you’re finished, take a step back and admire your artwork; a realistic looking cat is not an easy feat!
