How to Draw a Cat

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Anyone can learn how to draw a cat easily, step-by-step! It just takes some practice and patience to draw even a complex masterpiece, no matter your experience! While it’s common for people to struggle with drawing cats, you can become a master of sketching these furry creatures with just a little practice and guidance. Cats are known for their unique features, so capturing these in your drawing is essential. Plus, they can be drawn in various poses, so you have plenty of options. When you’re ready to start drawing your cat, follow the simple how to draw a cat step by step guidelines ahead. But, first, let’s look at what you’ll need to start drawing a cat!

Materials Needed to Draw a Cat

• Pencil: It’s always best to start your cat sketch with a pencil in order to create thin and precise, delicate lines. A pencil’s lead is also soft enough to erase.
• Paper: High-quality paper with a smooth surface is also needed. Make sure to avoid paper that is rough, especially for newbies.
• Eraser: You’ll need an eraser that can help eliminate any mistakes you’ll make. Mistakes are inevitable for any new drawer, so this is a must-have. 
• Pencil Sharpener: Another thing you’ll need is a pencil sharpener to keep the pencil lead sharp and ready to use.
• Coloring Materials: Once your design is finished, fill in the design with colored pens, colored pencils or crayons. You can also outline the design with a fineliner black pen. 
• Stable Drawing Surface: Tools are great but are useless without a stable drawing surface. This is because it provides a flat, level surface to work on. 

Easy Step by Step for Drawing a Cat

1: Draw the Cat Outline

On your piece of paper, begin by outlining the cat’s head. Don’t be afraid to take it slow and lightly sketch your outline so that you can easily erase. The head should be roughly circular, with a distinct nose and chin area. Add the cat ears on top.

2: Add the Cat’s Face  

Next, slightly below the middle of the cat’s head, draw in the cat’s whiskers, cat’s eyes, cat’s nose and cat’s mouth . Once you’re happy with the position of the eyes, go ahead and add some pupils. You can make the whiskers as long or as short as possible, but they should be thin and evenly spaced. The eyes should be large and almond-shaped.

3: Fill in the Cat’s Legs

For the next step, add the legs of your cat. The cat’s front leg on both sides should be placed below the head so that the cat appears in an upright position . Below the front legs, add the back leg on each side. You can add extra detail by drawing in claws and cat’s paws at the end of each hind leg.

4: Add the Cat Body and Tail

Next, draw out the outline of the cat body and tail. The body should be roughly oval-shaped and slightly larger than the head of the cat. With the cat tail, you can have it curled up or hanging down. 

If you want a more realistic cat, you can also add some fur to the body and tail by drawing short, curved lines. You can make the fur as dense or as sparse as you like.

5: Add Details

To add some character and personality to your cat, consider drawing it holding an item like a heart or boba tea like the example or anything you’d like!

You can also add extra embellishments like bows, glasses, or other accessories to make your cat genuinely unique! Of course, many people like to add flowers or other patterns to their cats’ fur as well. 

6: Make it Colorful

Finally, use color to bring your cat to life! Choose bright colors or patterns that reflect your cat’s personality or the setting it will be placed in. You can also make your cat look like a tabby cat by adding stripes for the cat’s fur pattern.

7: Add a Background

To finish off your drawing, add a background behind your cat. This could be anything from simple solid color to a more complex landscape. Experiment and have fun! This is your opportunity to be creative and let your imagination run wild. You can even add other elements like trees, flowers, or houses to the background. You could even cut out your cat and glue it onto a piece of card stock or construction paper and turn it into a greeting card.

Check out these other drawing tutorials

• How to draw a bunny
• How to draw a hedgehog
• How to draw a dog
• Cute Things to Draw – over 30 drawing ideas

Frequently Asked Questions When Learning to Draw a Cat

What type of paper should I use for my cat drawing?

You can use any type of paper for your cat drawing, but the heavier-weight paper is generally recommended for beginners. 

If you’re using pencils, you’ll want to use a paper that’s thick enough to prevent the pencils from poking through. 

You’ll want to use a paper that can hold up to the medium without warping or bleeding for markers or paint. Because of this, watercolor paper is often a good choice for drawings.

What pencils should I use to draw a cat?

There is no one “correct” answer to this question, as it depends on your personal preference. However, softer pencils may be easier to use for creating fur, while harder pencils can be used to create sharper lines. 

Ultimately, it is up to you to experiment and see what works best for you! Many artists also like to use a variety of pencils to create different effects in their drawings. 

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of pencils until you find the ones you like. If you’re just starting, a basic set of pencils will suffice.

Is it Easy to Draw a Cat? Can I still draw a cat without drawing experience?

Yes! Anyone can create a beautiful cat drawing, regardless of their skill level. Just remember to have fun and be creative! You can also use reference photos for ideas. Remember there are no rules for art, so feel free to express yourself in whatever way you see fit. Whether you want to draw an easy cat design, cartoon cat or a cat that’s more realistic, with practice, you’ll be able to create fantastic cat drawings in no time! 

Takeaway

Drawing a cat is easy and fun! Just remember to sketch out the general shape of your cat first, then add in the details. To get started, try using some of the tips and tricks mentioned above. And don’t forget to practice, practice, practice! 

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