It doesn’t take a Renoir or Picasso to draw the beloved Simpsons Family. All you need is a blank piece of paper, a little imagination, and you’ll be able to draw your own Simpsons in no time. Drawing the Simpsons is fun and easy for all levels of artistic ability. Here’s a few helpful pointers on tips and tricks to master the art of drawing the iconic cartoon family.
1. Study the Simpsons
Before you begin your own rendition of the Simpsons, it’s important to study their faces and stances. Watch the show, pause it, sketch out the characters from different angles and with different facial expressions. Become familiar with their noses, eyes and mouths. Think of their favorite poses and stances and try to incorporate them into your drawings. Once you have the basics down, you can then incorporate your own imagination and style.
2. Choose a Character
Choose a character to start with. Homer is a good beginner character because he has a relatively simple design. Begin by breaking him down into basic lines and shapes. Homer’s face is generally made up of a few simple circles. His head is shaped like a potato, and his body is a rectangle. Rather than being overwhelmed with overly complex details, it is best to focus on making the basic outline look decent. Remember you can always refine the details later on.
3. Shade for Texture and Dimension
When you have the characters basic features correctly drawn, it’s time to add depth by shading. Pay attention to shading patterns in the reference images. Don’t be afraid to use textures that give the characters more character. Think of the shading as what will add the extra flair of personality to each character. Pay attention to the shape and subtle curves of the shading. Too much harsh shading could make your drawings look overly cartoon-ish.
4. Final Touches
A few final touches can really make the characters pop! When shading different body parts, like hands, be sure to give them definition by adding the subtle lines, wrinkles, and the shadows that make the characters look real. Homer, for example, has five fingers with two big ones in the middle. When drawing, add wrinkles around the mouth, which can really emphasize an emotional expression. Finally, don’t forget to add personal touches like favorite hats and accessories or even everyday props like donuts and beers.
5. Redraw and Reiterate
Even if you think you got Homer down on the first try, it’s important to keep redrawing and reiterating the characters. Repetition is the key to improving your capabilities and making your Simpsons look even more realistic. Pick different angles, poses and expressions. Dodge and burn specific parts of the character to create a 3D effect. Keep tweaking and adjusting until the characters look just right.
6. Have Fun and Experiment
Above all else, have fun and experiment with different approaches. Even if your drawings don’t turn out the way you planned, don’t get discouraged. Keep practicing and you’ll be able to draw the Simpsons with greater detail and finesse in no time.
