Draw Rick in 6 Simple Steps
Drawing Rick from the popular cartoon Rick and Morty, can seem like an intimidating task, even for experienced artists. But, with a few easy tips, you’ll be able to create the cartoon-retro-futuristic character in no time! Whether you’re an aspiring cartoonist or a fan of the show looking to bring Rick to life, these 6 simple steps will help you create your best drawing yet.
1. Outline an Egg-Shaped Head
Start with a classic egg-shape, resembling a baby’s skull, to get an overall idea of the head size and shape. This can be seen from multiple angles in the show, so use your favorite reference. Remember to keep the bottom narrower than the top and draw a slightly angled line across the center for a classic cartoon look.
2. Draw His Classic Hairstyle
Rick’s unmistakable hairstyle is a great way to identify him. Draw a slanted line from the top back of the head to the front of the face. Then, draw a series of zigzagging lines to create his unique comb-over. Rick’s hair flows gently, adding gentle curves to the lines, but the majority of the strokes should be jagged and choppy.
3. Add a Miniature Mouth
Rick sports a classic open-mouth style with two prominent teeth. Draw the edges of his lips curved downward and thin, with the bottom lip slightly lower than the top. Then draw a few small triangular points in the center of the mouth for his teeth. Small details like this will help your drawing look more like a cartoon character.
4. Sketch His Nose and Eyes
Rick’s nose is another easily recognizable element of his cartoon character. Draw a long, thin line for his nose, about the same size as his mouth. His eyes should be drawn to look slightly surprised, joining at the top of the nose and angling outward. Add a few curved lines in the corner of each eye for the wrinkles, and a few lighter lines around the eyes to give the impression of creases.
5. Outline His Jawline and Ears
Drawing jagged lines for his jawline will give the cartoon a more exaggerated cartoon look. Don’t forget his oversized ears! Draw two tear-drop shapes on either side of his head, slightly overlapping the hair. Make sure the ears are big and rounded at the ends but not too exaggerated.
6. Complete His Look With His Shirt Collar
Rick’s signature look is completed with a shirt collar, drawn with two curved lines meeting at the chin. Add a rounded, shirt-style line at the bottom. Finally, draw a few jagged lines on either side of the collar to add some texture and shading without needing to draw it in with color.
Final Thoughts on Drawing Rick
With these 6 simple steps, you can draw the iconic Rick from Rick and Morty with ease. Keep practicing the steps and don’t be afraid to experiment with angles and sizes to create a unique version of the character. The more confident you become in your cartoon-style drawing, the closer your Rick will look to his animated counterpart.
Tips for Developing Your Cartoon Drawing Skills
Comedic, exaggerated cartoon style can take years of practice, but there’s no reason you can’t start to improve your skills right away. To start, look for talented cartoonists who draw your favorite characters and study their lines and composition. With this basic knowledge, try sketching cartoons from memory or a reference image to practice your technique. From here, you can work on learning color theory and shading techniques to further refine your drawings.
Understanding Character Anatomy
Anatomy plays an important role in any cartoon drawing, since understanding body proportions and positioning is essential to creating a cartoon character. Most cartoonists will use basic principles of anatomy, such as skeletal structure, muscles and fat distribution, when designing characters or drawing them from memory. This will help you achieve a natural look and add authenticity to your cartoon character. Equally important is the artist’s own unique style, so be sure to put your own personality into the art.
Create Your Own Cartoon Style
Finally, the trick to creating great cartoon art is finding your own style. Experiment with line thickness, texture, and coloring techniques, and don’t be afraid to try something new. With each comic-style drawing, you’ll build up your own repertoire of techniques. With time and practice, you’ll be on your way to mastering the art of cartoon-style drawing.
