How to Draw a Cat: Step-by-Step Guide with Easy Tips and Techniques

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 7 min read

Are you a budding artist who wants to learn how to draw a cat? You've come to the right place! This step-by-step guide will teach you easy tips and techniques that will have you sketching your favorite feline friends in no time. Whether you want to draw a realistic cat or a cute cartoon version, we've got you covered. Let's get started!

Getting Started

Before we dive into the world of cat drawings, let's go over some basics that will help you create a beautiful piece of art.

Materials Needed

First things first, gather the necessary materials:

Pencil: A soft pencil (2B or higher) is recommended for sketching, as it produces darker lines and is easier to erase.
Eraser: A soft eraser ensures that you can remove any mistakes without damaging your paper.
Paper: Use drawing paper or sketchbook paper that can withstand erasing and shading.
Optional: Colored pencils, markers, or other coloring tools if you want to add color to your cat drawing.

Choosing a Reference

When learning how to draw a cat, it's helpful to have a reference image. You can either:

Look at photographs of cats, either from your personal collection or by searching online.
Observe a real cat, if you have one as a pet or can find one in your neighborhood.

Choose a reference that showcases the cat's features and poses, as this will make it easier to draw accurate details.

Sketching Techniques

Before we get into the actual process of drawing a cat, let's discuss some sketching techniques that will come in handy:

Light lines: Start by sketching lightly, so you can easily erase and make adjustments as needed.
Basic shapes: Break the cat's form down into simple shapes, such as circles, ovals, and triangles. This will help you build the overall structure before adding details.
Proportions: Pay attention to the relative size and positioning of the cat's features. Observing your reference image closely will help you achieve accurate proportions.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's start drawing our cat!

Drawing the Head

The head is a key component of any cat drawing, so let's begin by focusing on capturing the feline's unique features and expressions.

Shape and Proportions

Follow these steps to create the basic structure of the cat's head:

Start by drawing a circle or oval for the head. This will serve as a guide for the overall shape.
Add two intersecting lines (one vertical and one horizontal) within the circle to help you place the facial features accurately.
Sketch in the cat's ears by drawing two triangles on top of the head. Make sure they're proportional to the head and spaced evenly.

Remember to keep your lines light, as you'll be refining the shape and adding details later.

Facial Features

Now it's time to add the cat's eyes, nose, and mouth. To achieve a realistic look, pay close attention to their proportions and placement:

Draw two almond-shaped eyes on the horizontal line. Cats have large, expressive eyes, so don't be afraid to make them prominent.
For the nose, sketch a small, inverted triangle on the vertical line, below the eyes.
Add the mouth by drawing two curved lines extending downwards from the bottom corners of the nose.

When learning how to draw a cat, remember that practice makes perfect. Don't worry if your first attempt isn't perfect; you can always refine your drawing as you become more familiar with feline features.

Adding Fur Texture

One of the most distinctive aspects of a cat is its fur. To give your cat drawing a realistic appearance, follow these tips:

Direction: Observe the direction in which the fur naturally grows on your reference image—typically, it follows the contours of the cat's face.
Length: Take note of the fur's length in different areas of the head. For example, it's usually shorter around the eyes and nose, and longer around the cheeks and ears.
Variation: Add some variety to the fur by drawing a mix of short and long strokes. This creates a more natural and believable texture.

Keep practicing, and soon you'll master the art of drawing a cat's head. Next, let's move on to the body!

Drawing the Body

With the cat's head complete, it's time to focus on the body. We'll look at how to draw the body shape, legs, paws, tail, and fur to create a cohesive, lifelike cat drawing.

Body Shape

When drawing a cat's body, consider the size, shape, and proportions in relation to the head:

Draw an oval or a rounded rectangle below the head to represent the cat's body. Make sure it's proportional to the head.
Add a slightly smaller oval or rounded rectangle for the cat's hindquarters if you're drawing the cat from the side or at an angle.
Connect the head and body with two curved lines representing the neck.

Keep in mind that different cat breeds have different body shapes, so use your reference image as a guide when determining the appropriate proportions.

Legs and Paws

Now, let's move on to drawing the cat's legs and paws:

Sketch four elongated ovals or rectangles to represent the cat's legs. Pay attention to their length and thickness, as well as their placement on the body.
At the end of each leg, draw a smaller oval or rectangle for the cat's paws. Remember that cats have unique, rounded paw shapes.
Add details like the toes and claws by drawing small lines and curves on the paws.

Take your time with this step, as the legs and paws play a significant role in the overall appearance of your cat drawing.

Tail and Fur

Complete the cat's body by drawing the tail and adding fur texture:

Draw a long, slightly curved line for the tail. The thickness and length of the tail will depend on the breed and your personal preference.
Using short, curved lines, add fur texture to the body, legs, and tail. Ensure that the fur follows the natural contours of the cat's body.

With the body complete, your cat drawing is starting to come together. Let's add some final details to make it truly stand out.

Adding Details

With the main elements of your cat drawing in place, it's time to focus on adding those finer details that will make your drawing truly unique and lifelike. We'll cover whiskers, shading, and highlights in this section.

Whiskers

Whiskers are an important feature of a cat's face and should not be overlooked. Follow these steps to draw realistic whiskers:

Lightly sketch thin, slightly curved lines extending from the sides of the cat's muzzle. Make sure to draw them in varying lengths and angles, as whiskers are not perfectly uniform.
Add a few shorter whiskers above the cat's eyes to represent the "eyebrow" whiskers.
Darken and refine the whiskers, being careful not to make them too thick or heavy.

With the whiskers in place, your cat's face will have that extra touch of realism and expression.

Shading

Shading is essential for creating a sense of depth and dimension in your cat drawing. Here's how to add shading effectively:

Observe your reference image and identify the areas where shadows occur, such as under the chin, around the eyes, and on the body.
Use a softer pencil or a blending tool to gently shade these areas, creating a gradual transition between the light and dark areas.
Build up the shading layers slowly, adjusting the pressure you apply to create different levels of darkness.

Remember that the goal of shading is to enhance the form and structure of your drawing, so be mindful not to overdo it and lose the original shapes and lines.

Highlights

Highlights are the finishing touch that will bring your cat drawing to life. Follow these steps to add highlights:

Identify the areas where light naturally hits the cat's fur, such as on the forehead, cheeks, and body.
Use an eraser or a lighter pencil to gently remove or lighten the shading in these areas, creating contrast and emphasizing the light sources.
Pay attention to the shape and size of the highlights, making sure they're consistent with the cat's fur texture and the overall lighting in your drawing.

With the highlights added, your cat drawing will have a sense of depth, dimension, and realism. Now, let's move on to the final touches.

Finishing Touches

As you approach the end of your cat drawing journey, it's time to add some finishing touches that will make your artwork truly complete. In this section, we'll cover background, signing your work, and sharing your artwork with others.

Background

Adding a background to your cat drawing can help it stand out and give it a sense of context. Here are some ideas for creating a simple yet effective background:

Draw a basic shape (such as a circle or oval) behind your cat to create a simple frame.
Sketch a few horizontal lines to suggest a surface for the cat to sit or lie on, like a table or a windowsill.
Add a few props or elements related to cats, such as a toy, a food dish, or a scratching post.

Remember to keep the background simple and not overly detailed, as you don't want it to distract from your cat drawing.

Signing Your Work

Once you're satisfied with your cat drawing, it's important to sign it. Signing your artwork gives it a personal touch and shows that you're proud of your creation. Here's how to sign your work:

Choose a spot in the drawing where your signature won't be too distracting, such as in the bottom corner or along the edge of the background.
Use your initials, your full name, or a unique symbol to represent yourself as the artist.
Sign your work using a pencil or pen that complements your drawing, either by matching the color or using a contrasting shade for added interest.

With your signature in place, your cat drawing is now a one-of-a-kind piece of art.

Now that you've learned how to draw a cat and completed your masterpiece, why not share it with others? Showing off your artwork can inspire others, get feedback, and connect with fellow artists. Here are some ideas for sharing your cat drawing:

Post a photo of your drawing on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook, using relevant hashtags such as #catart or #howtodrawacat.
Join online art communities or forums where you can share your work and engage with other artists.
Print your cat drawing on a card or a poster and give it as a gift to a cat-loving friend or family member.

By sharing your artwork, you'll not only showcase your talent but also contribute to the vibrant world of cat art.

If you're looking to enhance your knowledge and skills in drawing animals, don't miss out on the workshop 'Basic Animal Anatomy for Artists' by Viktoria. This workshop will help you master the fundamentals of animal anatomy, providing you with the foundation you need to create accurate and realistic depictions of animals in your artwork.