Drawing Cute Junk Food: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 9 min read

Do you ever find yourself doodling on the corner of your notebook, only to realize you've created a little piece of art? Or maybe you've always wanted to bring your imagination onto paper, but didn't know where to start. Whether you're a seasoned doodler or a beginner with a pencil, this guide will show you, step-by-step, how to draw cute junk food. Yes, you read that right! We're combining the love for art and junk food into one deliciously creative activity.

1. Getting Your Tools Ready

Before you can start drawing, you'll need to gather a few essential tools. Don't worry, we're not talking about anything fancy here — just the basics to get you started on your cute junk food art journey.

Picking the Right Sketchpad

The first tool you need is a sketchpad. Not all sketchpads are created equal, so it's important to choose the right one. Here's what you need to look for:

Size: A medium-sized sketchpad (about 9x12 inches) is a good starting point. It's big enough to give you space to draw, but small enough to be portable.
Paper quality: Look for a sketchpad with thick, smooth paper — it's easier to draw on and less prone to tearing.
Binding: Spiral-bound sketchpads are great because they lay flat when you're drawing, which can make your art sessions more comfortable.

Choosing Your Drawing Tools

Next up, you'll need something to draw with. Here's a list of some basic drawing tools that are perfect for beginners:

Pencils: A couple of good quality HB and 2B pencils will do the trick. They're perfect for sketching and shading your cute junk food drawings.
Eraser: Everyone makes mistakes — that's where the eraser comes in. A white vinyl eraser is a good choice because it's gentle on paper.
Sharpener: Keep your pencils sharp and your lines crisp with a simple pencil sharpener.

Organizing Your Workspace

Before you start drawing, it's important to set up a comfortable and organized workspace. Here are a few tips:

Find a quiet, well-lit spot where you can draw without distractions.
Keep your drawing tools within easy reach.
Have a drink and a snack (maybe some of your favorite junk food?) nearby to keep your energy levels up.

Now that you've got your tools and workspace in order, you're ready to start learning how to draw cute junk food. Let's dive into the fun part — sketching basic shapes!

2. Sketching Basic Shapes

Before we can get to the delicious details of our adorable junk food characters, we need to start with the basics: shapes. You'd be surprised how your favorite junk foods can be broken down into simple shapes like circles, squares, and triangles. Let's get started.

Drawing Circles and Ovals

Believe it or not, a lot of your favorite junk foods start with a circle or an oval. Donuts, burgers, even the top view of a soda can — they're all circles or ovals! Here's how you can perfect them:

Start with your pencil at the top of your paper, and make a smooth, round motion to draw a circle. Don't worry if it's not perfect — that's what erasers are for!
To draw an oval, start the same way as you would a circle, but stretch out the top and bottom.
Practice drawing circles and ovals of different sizes. This will come in handy when you start to draw different types of cute junk food!

Creating Squares and Rectangles

Squares and rectangles are another basic shape that you'll find in lots of junk food items, like chocolate bars and french fry boxes. Here's a simple way to draw them:

Start by drawing a straight line.
Draw another line at a right angle to the first one. The length of this line will determine the height of your square or rectangle.
Draw two more lines to complete the shape, making sure all angles are right angles.

Making Triangles and Diamonds

Triangles and diamonds might not seem like common shapes in junk food, but think about a slice of pizza or nachos. Here's a quick guide on how to draw these shapes:

To draw a triangle, start with a straight line for the base. Then, draw two more lines from each end of the base, meeting at a point at the top.
A diamond is just like a square, but tilted. Draw it just like you would a square, but start with your paper turned 45 degrees.

With these basic shapes under your belt, you're ready to bring them together to create some cute junk food characters!

3. Creating Junk Food Characters

Now that you've mastered the basic shapes, it's time for the fun part — turning them into cute junk food characters! Remember, all you need to do is break down each food item into its basic shapes. So let's get started.

Designing a Cute Burger

Think about a burger. The bun is made up of two ovals, the patty is a circle, and the lettuce and tomato are just more circles of different sizes. Here's how to draw a cute burger:

Start with two large ovals for the buns. The top one should be slightly larger and rounded, while the bottom one can be flatter.
Draw a circle for the patty, making sure it fits between the two buns.
Add in smaller circles for the lettuce, tomato, and any other toppings you want. Don't forget the sesame seeds on the bun!

Drawing an Adorable Pizza Slice

A slice of pizza is basically a triangle with circles for the pepperoni and other toppings. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Draw a large triangle for the slice.
Add a curved line near the base for the crust.
Draw circles of different sizes for the toppings. You can even draw smaller triangles for pieces of pineapple or bell pepper!

Sketching a Lovable Donut

A donut is just a circle within a circle, with lots of small ovals for the sprinkles. Here's how to draw a cute donut:

Draw a large circle for the outer edge of the donut.
Draw a smaller circle inside the first one for the donut hole.
Add in small ovals of different sizes and orientations for the sprinkles. Don't forget to make them colorful when you get to the coloring stage!

Just like that, you've learned how to draw cute junk food characters! But we're not done yet. Next, we'll add some personality to these characters to really bring them to life.

4. Adding Personality

With the basic shapes and outlines of your cute junk food characters complete, it's time to bring them to life through personality. Yes, you heard it right! We are going to make them more engaging by adding eyes, smiles, and even hands and feet. Let's learn how to draw cute junk food with personality.

Giving Your Character Eyes

Adding eyes to your characters is like giving them a soul. It's where they express their emotion and engage with the viewer. Here's how:

Draw two circles or ovals for the eyes. For a fun effect, make one slightly larger than the other.
Inside each eye, draw another smaller circle for the pupil.
For a lively look, add a tiny white circle inside the pupils to act as the light reflection.

Creating a Smile

A smile goes a long way in making your characters look friendly and joyful. Here's how to draw it:

Draw a curved line under the eyes to create a simple smile.
For a big, happy grin, you can draw a semi-circle or oval and add some lines for teeth.
Remember, the style of the smile can change the character's emotion drastically, so experiment with different shapes!

Drawing Hands and Feet

Adding hands and feet can make your junk food characters look more dynamic. You don't need to be detailed; simple shapes will do:

For hands, draw small ovals or circles. You can add lines to hint at fingers.
For feet, draw wider ovals or semi-circles. Add lines for toes if you want, or leave them as simple shapes.
Remember, they don't have to be symmetrical. In fact, asymmetry can make your characters look more natural and interesting.

And there you have it, now you know how to draw cute junk food characters with personality! Next up, we'll explore how to bring color into your drawings to make them pop.

5. Coloring Your Drawings

Now that we've given our cute junk food characters some personality, it's time to give them a splash of color. Coloring is an important part in learning how to draw cute junk food because it brings your creations to life and makes them pop off the page. Let's dive in!

Choosing the Right Colors

Colors can greatly affect the mood of your drawings. Here's how to choose the right colors:

Think about the real colors of the junk food you're drawing. For instance, a burger may have browns, greens, yellows, and reds.
Feel free to play with colors. Maybe you want a purple donut or a blue pizza slice. Go for it!
Consider using a color wheel to help you pick complementary colors for a harmonious look.

Applying Colors Effectively

How you apply your colors can also make a big difference. Here's how:

Start by lightly coloring in your shapes with your chosen colors.
Add depth to your drawing by applying more pressure to your coloring tool in certain areas to create darker shades.
Try blending different colors together for a fun, unique look.

Adding Shadows and Highlights

Shadows and highlights can give your drawing a three-dimensional appearance. Here's how to do it:

To create a shadow, choose a side where your light source is not coming from and darken that area slightly.
For highlights, do the opposite. Lighten the areas where your light source is hitting.
Remember, shadows and highlights should follow the shape of your object to look natural.

And voila! You've colored your cute junk food drawings. But we're not done yet. Next, we'll discuss some ways to showcase your fabulous creations.

6. Showcasing Your Drawings

So, you've learned how to draw cute junk food and color it beautifully. Now, it's time to share your artwork with the world and take pride in your creations. Here are some ways you can showcase your junk food drawings.

Framing Your Artwork

One of the simplest ways to showcase your artwork is to frame it. Framing not only protects your artwork from dirt and damage but also gives it a professional look. Here's how you can go about it:

Select a frame that complements your drawing. The color and style of the frame should enhance your artwork, not overshadow it.
Remember to use a mat inside the frame. This helps to showcase your artwork and gives it a finished look.
Hang your framed artwork in a place where it's easily visible. This could be in your room, living room, or even a local cafe.

Another great way to showcase your artwork is by sharing it on social media. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are great places to share your artwork and connect with other artists. Here's how you can do it:

Take a good quality photo of your artwork. Make sure the lighting is good and the photo is focused.
Write a caption that tells the story behind your artwork. For example, you could write about what inspired you to draw cute junk food.
Use hashtags like #cutejunkfoodart and #howtodrawcutejunkfood to make your post more discoverable.

Joining Art Communities

Joining art communities, both online and offline, can also be a great way to showcase your artwork. Here are some tips:

Find art communities on platforms like DeviantArt, Behance, and Dribbble. These platforms have a large community of artists and art lovers who can provide feedback and appreciation.
Participate in local art exhibitions and fairs. This can be a great opportunity to showcase your artwork and meet other artists.
Consider taking art classes or joining an art club in your city. This can help you improve your skills and meet like-minded people.

And there you have it! You've not only learned how to draw cute junk food but also how to color and showcase your artwork. So grab your sketchpad, let your creativity flow, and start drawing!

If you enjoyed our step-by-step guide on drawing cute junk food and want to level up your drawing skills even further, don't miss out on the workshop 'Learn How to Draw in Procreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop is perfect for beginners and will teach you the fundamentals of drawing using the popular digital art software, Procreate. Start your creative journey now and become a pro at digital illustration!