How to Draw a Cat
Step by Step

Start With Basic Shapes

Here is the biggest secret to drawing animals: every drawing starts with simple shapes. Real artists do not start with details. They start with circles, ovals, and triangles called construction lines, or guidelines.

These light guidelines help you get the proportions right. Proportion just means the ratio between the head and the body, so your cat does not end up with a giant head and a tiny body. Draw these first lines very lightly so you can erase them later.

When you learn how to draw a cat using basic shapes, every other animal becomes easier too. The same trick works if you want to learn how to draw a dog later on.

How to Draw a Cartoon Cat (Step by Step)

This is a cute cartoon cat that is great for kids and beginners. Follow this how to draw a cat step by step and take your time with each part. In each picture, the new line you draw is shown in red.

Step 1: First, draw a big oval shape. This will be the cat’s head.

Step 2: On the top left of the head, draw a pointy triangle. This is the first ear.

Step 3: Now draw the second pointy ear on the top right side.

Step 4: Draw a smaller triangle inside each ear so the ears look real.

Step 5: Below the head, draw a large oval. This is the cat’s body.

Step 6: From the middle of the body, draw one front leg with a small paw at the bottom.

Step 7: Draw the second front leg and paw next to it.

Step 8: On the left side, draw the curve of a back leg.

Step 9: Add small paws under both back legs.

Step 10: On the right side, draw a long, curvy tail.

Step 11: Draw two big round eyes on the face, with a little shine (highlight) inside each one.

Step 12: Add a tiny triangle in the middle for the nose.

Step 13: Under the nose, draw a curved line to make a happy, smiling mouth.

Step 14: Draw three thin whiskers on each cheek.

Step 15: Clean up any extra lines. Your cat is now ready!

Step 16: Last of all, add color — orange and white fur, pink ears, and green eyes. Your cute cat is finished!

Congratulations! You just learned how to draw a cute cartoon cat. This same easy cat drawing works perfectly as a directed drawing activity in a classroom, even for kindergarten.

Drawing Different Kinds of Cats

How to Draw a Cat Face

Sometimes you just want a close-up cat face. Here is how to draw a cat face easy:

1. Draw a wide curved line for the top of the head.
2. Add two pointy ears.
3. Draw two almond-shaped eyes with round pupils and small highlights.
4. Add a little triangle nose and a curved “W” mouth.
5. Pull out the whiskers on both sides.
6. Draw stripes or spots if you want a tabby cat.

A cat face is a great first cat sketch because you can finish it in a few minutes.

How to Draw a Sitting Cat

A sitting cat has a soft, triangle-like shape. The bottom is wide and the head is small at the top.

1. Draw a big circle at the bottom for the lower body.
2. Add a smaller circle above it for the chest.
3. Draw the smallest circle on top for the head.
4. Connect them with smooth lines.
5. Add the front legs coming straight down and tuck the back legs to the sides.
6. Curl the tail around the body.

If you want a standing cat instead, the body becomes a long oval with four legs underneath, all about the same length.

How to Draw a Realistic Cat With Pencil

Ready for a challenge? Here is how to draw a realistic cat with pencil. This one takes more patience.

1. Sketch the shapes. Use a big oval for the body and a circle for the head. Add light guidelines down the middle of the face.
2. Refine the outline. Draw the real outline over your shapes, then gently erase the guidelines.
3. Add the face. Draw careful almond-shaped eyes, the nose, and the muzzle. Pay attention to where each part sits.
4. Add fur texture. Use short, jagged lines that follow the fur direction. Fur on the face moves up and out from the nose.
5. Shade and blend. Press lightly with your graphite for soft areas and harder for dark areas. Blend gently for smooth fur. This is where shading and pencil pressure really matter.
6. Add whiskers last. Draw them with quick strokes so they look thin and natural.

Using a reference photo helps a lot with a realistic cat, because you can see how the fur and shadows really look.

Color Your Cat

Coloring is the fun part! Cats come in many fur patterns. You can make a striped tabby, a black-and-orange tortoiseshell, an orange marmalade cat, or a patched calico. There are no rules here, so try pink and purple if you want. You can also print a coloring page to practice your colors before drawing your own.