7 Tips for Drawing Cute People: A Beginner's Guide

Daisie Team -

Contents

1. Get the Right Tools

2. Learn Basic Anatomy

3. Practice Drawing Expressions

4. Start with Simple Shapes

5. Add Details and Personal Touch

6. Experiment with Colors and Shading

7. Refine Your Work

Ever wondered how to make your notebook doodles come to life? The secret is in cute people drawings. And guess what? Drawing cute people isn't as tough as it seems. With a little guidance and a dash of practice, you too can start creating adorable characters that can steal hearts. So whether you're aiming to sketch a cute self-portrait or a charming chibi character, this beginner's guide has got you covered. Here are seven practical tips to get you drawing cute people in no time.

1. Get the Right Tools

Let's start with the basics—you need to equip yourself with the right tools. While you can't buy talent, having the right drawing materials can make your journey into cute people drawings a whole lot smoother. Here's what you might need:

  • Pencils: Start with a regular No. 2 pencil to sketch the basic shapes, and a darker pencil—say, a 4B or 6B—for defining your lines.
  • Erasers: A good eraser is your best friend in the drawing world. It's not just for correcting mistakes, but also for creating highlights and fine-tuning your drawings.
  • Paper: A nice sketchbook or drawing pad is a great place to start. Make sure it's durable enough to handle erasure and re-drawing.
  • Colored pencils or markers: These can add pop and personality to your cute people drawings. Experiment with different brands and types to find what works best for you.

Remember, it's not about having the most expensive equipment—it's about how you use what you have. Even the simplest tools can create incredible cute people drawings when wielded with creativity and practice.

2. Learn Basic Anatomy

Now here's a tip that might surprise you: to draw cute people, you need to understand basic human anatomy. Now, don't worry, this doesn't mean you need to enroll in a biology class or memorize every bone in the human body. But a basic understanding of proportions and placement of body parts can make a world of difference in your cute people drawings.

Here's a simple guide:

  • Head: In cute people drawings, the head is often larger compared to the body. This is what gives your characters that adorable, youthful look. But remember, balance is key—don't make the head too large or it might look unnatural.
  • Body: The body is usually smaller and simpler. You don't need to draw every muscle or bone; instead, focus on the basic shape and posture.
  • Arms and Legs: These should be shorter and plumper. Remember, cute characters are all about soft and rounded shapes.

Of course, these are just guidelines. Feel free to play around and tweak these proportions to create your own unique style of cute people drawings. Maybe your characters will have extra-large eyes or tiny, stubby legs. That's the beauty of drawing—you get to create your own rules.

3. Practice Drawing Expressions

One of the most powerful tools in your cute people drawing toolkit is the ability to give your characters expressions. And not just any expressions, but ones that evoke emotion and tell a story.

Imagine this: you're drawing a cute little girl. If you just draw her with a blank expression, she's just a generic character. But give her a wide grin, sparkling eyes, and a slight blush on her cheeks, and suddenly, she's a happy, lively, and adorable character that people can't help but fall in love with.

So, how do you draw expressions? Here are a few tips:

  • Eyes: They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and this is especially true for cute people drawings. Play with different shapes and sizes to express different emotions. Round, large eyes can indicate surprise or innocence, while half-closed eyes can suggest contentment or slyness.
  • Mouth: A simple line can turn into a smile, a frown, or a gasp of surprise. Don't be afraid to exaggerate the mouth to show strong emotions.
  • Eyebrows: These are often overlooked, but they can dramatically change the expression of your character. Raised eyebrows can show surprise or fear, while furrowed eyebrows can indicate anger or concentration.

And remember, practice makes perfect. The more you draw different expressions, the better you'll become at conveying emotion in your cute people drawings. So don't be afraid to fill up those sketchbooks with tons of expressive faces!

4. Start with Simple Shapes

Shapes are the building blocks of all drawings, including cute people drawings. Starting with basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles can make the process of drawing cute people a lot less intimidating. Let's break it down together:

  • Circles: Great for heads, bodies, eyes, or any round part of the body. Did you notice how many cute characters have round features? That's no coincidence! Circles are naturally pleasing to the eye and convey a sense of softness and cuteness.
  • Squares and rectangles: These can be used for bodies and clothing. While they might not seem as "cute" as circles, they can add variety and interest to your drawings.
  • Triangles: Don't overlook the humble triangle! Triangles can be used to create interesting hairstyles, clothes, or even cute little noses!

Starting your cute people drawings with simple shapes doesn't just make the process easier — it also helps you create a consistent style. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to draw cute people from any angle, in any pose, and with any expression. Now, isn't that something to look forward to?

5. Add Details and Personal Touch

Once you've got the basic shapes down, the fun really begins. Adding details and your own personal touch is what transforms your simple shapes into unique, adorable, cute people drawings. Here's how you can do it:

  • Experiment with Expressions: A slight curve of the mouth can turn a neutral face into a smile, and a couple of lines can suggest a cute blush. Don't be afraid to play around with different facial expressions to bring your cute people drawings to life.
  • Add Accessories: A hat, a bow, or a pair of glasses can add a lot of personality to your cute people drawings. Think about what accessories might suit your character's personality or lifestyle.
  • Create Unique Outfits: Clothes aren't just for covering bodies — they're also a wonderful way to express your character's style. From a simple t-shirt and jeans to a fancy dress or an astronaut's suit, the possibilities are endless.

Remember, the goal is not to create a perfect drawing, but to create a drawing that is uniquely yours. So don't be afraid to add your own personal touch. After all, the cutest thing about your cute people drawings should be the piece of you that they carry with them.

6. Experiment with Colors and Shading

Color and shading can bring a whole new dimension to your cute people drawings. But where to begin? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Color Choices

Color choice can dramatically impact the mood of your drawing. For instance, warm colors like red and orange can convey energy and passion, while cool colors like blue and green can suggest calm and tranquility. Using pastel colors can also add to the "cute" vibe of your people drawings.

Shading

Shading gives depth to your cute people drawings, making them look more three-dimensional. Start by deciding where your light source is. Once you determine this, you can add shadows in the areas where light wouldn't naturally hit. Remember, the closer the shadows are to the light source, the darker they should be.

So grab your colored pencils, markers or whatever you like to use, and start experimenting. Don't forget that it's okay to make mistakes — it's all part of the learning process. Plus, you might just stumble upon a new technique or color combination that you love!

Happy coloring!

7. Refine Your Work

Perfecting your cute people drawings can seem like a daunting task. But fear not! Here are a few key steps to refine your work and truly make it shine.

Step Back and Review

Take a moment to step back from your drawing. Looking at it from a distance can give you a fresh perspective. Do the proportions look correct? Does the color scheme work? Is the expression on your character's face just right? If something feels off, don't be afraid to make changes. After all, even the smallest tweak can make a big difference.

Use an Eraser

Remember, an eraser is just as important as your pencil. Don't see it as a tool for correcting mistakes, but rather as a tool for refining your work. You can use it to lighten lines, create highlights, or even add texture to your cute people drawings.

Seek Feedback

Don't be shy to show your work to others. Feedback can be incredibly valuable in helping you spot areas for improvement that you might have missed. You could ask a family member, a friend, or even join an online art community. Who knows, your cute people drawings might just inspire someone else to start drawing too!

Remember, refining your work is all about patience and practice. So, keep at it. Your skills will improve with time and soon enough, you'll be creating cute people drawings that not only look great, but also express your unique style.

Keep drawing and refining. Your masterpiece awaits!

If you enjoyed our blog on drawing cute people and want to dive deeper into character design, don't miss the workshop 'How to Create CUTE Character Design' by Alba. This workshop will provide you with the skills and techniques you need to create adorable and memorable characters for your own projects. Happy designing!