Got a craving to learn how to draw the lovable Simpsons family? It’ll be a breeze once you understand the basic steps and create your own snazzy designs. From the multi-eyed baby Maggie, to the girly-girl Lisa, to the skate-boarding Bart, ‘The Simpsons’ are an iconic cartoon clan with plenty of personality. Luckily, even if drawing cartoon figures isn’t your strongest skill set, you can use a few tricks to create a Simpsons family masterpiece with ease. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Prepare Your Art Tools
First up, you’ll need to gather together everything you need for your project. Grab some basic drawing instruments like pencils and pens, and some markers and colored pencils if you would like to add a touch of pizzazz to your portrait. Anything connected to ‘The Simpsons’ that could inspire you could also come in useful — think coloring books, stickers, and posters. Whatever tools you opt for, make sure you have them close to hand when sketching your Simpsons portrait.
Step 2: Start Sketching
Now comes the fun part — sketching the Simpsons clan. When you’re starting out, use a pencil to create a basic outline and get the basic shapes down. For Homer and Marge, draw an oval for each head and an exterior platform to serve as an outline for the body. To draw Bart and Lisa, elongate their bodies a little more for a slimmer shape and give them some slightly larger heads too. Make sure each family member has a trace of yellow and a touch of black for their clothes. Don’t forget to keep the shape of their eyes and mouths as simple as possible.
Step 3: Add Some Color
It’s now time to add some vibrancy to your completed outlines. If using paint, watercolors, or markers, remember to stay simple, since you’re dealing with cartoon characters. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, use bright and bold colors to make the artwork pop. Be aware that the uglier the cartoon drawing, the better in this case. This is, after all, an iconic cartoon gang!
Step 4: Give Them Character
What would the Simpsons family be without a smidgeon of personality? You can inject it into your drawing with a few extra lines and details. Gradually begin to add personality quirks and details. For Bart, give him an old school cap and skateboard, and draw Lisa with an oversized bow. If you can’t make up your mind, take a peek at the movie or the official website to get some ideas.
Step 5: Finalize Your Work
Now that you’ve nailed all the main steps, it’s time to go over your work in detail and tweak any areas that need it. Use a pen to clean up the lines and details, but avoid altering the basic structure of the characters. If you’re pleased with the final result, you’re done! Admire your masterpiece and just bask in the knowledge that from now on, you officially know how to draw the Simpsons family.
Step 6: Time to Pose Like the Simpsons
Before moving on to the next project, why not have a bit of photobooth fun by creating a Simpsons-style family portrait? Get the family together and stage a mini photo shoot. Stand back and imitate the particular poses of each character. Try to keep it silly and creative, since this is all about honouring the famous cartoon clan.
Step 7: Don’t Stop There
If you’ve conquered the art of drawing the Simpson family, why not draw Springfield’s other unique characters, such as Comic Book Guy, Principal Skinner, Mayor Quimby and Krusty the Clown? You may need to invest in some more art supplies, a few coloring books, and use the official website as a reference guide. Ready to take on more cartoon projects? Get stuck in and start flexing your drawing muscle.
Step 8: Content is King
It’s all well and good drawing the Simpson family, but if you really want to make your artwork stand out, there must be a deep and meaningful purpose. Whether it’s creating a Simpsons-inspired family portrait or bringing your favorite episode to life, original ideas will go a long way. Add a piece of original dialogue, a hidden twist, or maybe even a secret message — the sky’s the limit!
Step 9: Have Fun With It
‘The Simpsons’ is all about fun, so instead of thinking of your sketch as an artwork, think of it as a snapshot of how you see this crazy cartoon family. Get creative with color and line thickness. Take risks and experiment with different ideas. Who knows, your rendition of the Simpsons might just be the next big hit on the ‘Social Media’ circuit!
Step 10: Enjoy the Journey
When all is said and done, it’s important to remember the slogan of the ‘Simpsons’: Have fun! While artistry is important, the journey is just as crucial. Now that you know the basics and tricks of drawing the famous family, there’s no pressure to make an award-winning piece of work. Just focus on enjoying yourself; that’s what the Simpson family would want.
