Whimsical and adorable, cats have long been a delightful subject in cartoons and illustrations. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of drawing a cat’s face step by step. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or simply looking for a fun activity, this tutorial will help you capture the charm of a feline companion on paper.
1. Understanding the Features of a Cat’s Face
Before we dive into drawing, it’s important to familiarize ourselves with the key characteristics of a cat’s face. Take a moment to observe pictures and references to get a sense of their unique features. Here are some common traits you’ll want to keep in mind:
- Large and Round Eyes: The black part of a cat’s eye is prominent, while the white portion is almost invisible. The shape of the eye is almond-like, often with a hint of droopiness.
- Small Jaw: Cats generally have a slender jawline, which adds to their graceful appearance.
- Triangular Ears: Notice the distinct shape of their ears, resembling triangular formations.
- Oval Face: While the shape of a cat’s face may vary depending on the breed, most domestic cats in Japan feature an oval face.
- Short Distance from Eyes to Nose: Pay attention to the proximity between the eyes and the tip of the nose, as this is an important characteristic.
With these details in mind, let’s proceed to the next step and bring our cat’s face to life.
2. Step-by-Step Guide: Drawing a Cat’s Face
Positioning Your Drawing
To begin, you’ll need to establish the positioning of your cat’s face. This step will determine the overall layout and placement of the features. Follow these instructions:
Draw an oval shape for the face, leaving space for the ears. You can use an ellipse tool or roughly sketch it freehand.
Create crosshairs within the oval, similar to the ones used when drawing a human face’s positioning.
Divide the horizontal line into six equal sections by drawing a vertical line. This will help with accurate placement and proportions.
Further divide the bottom half of the oval into six sections as well. This subdivision allows for more precise detailing.
Locate the position of the ears. Draw slightly larger triangles starting from the intersection points of the contour and the first lines on either side of the central line.
With the positioning established, we can now move on to outlining the cat’s face.
Outlining the Features
Once you have determined the positioning, it’s time to outline the features of the cat’s face. Here’s what you need to do:
Create a new layer and draw solid lines to define the outline of the face, taking into account the underlying structure.
For long-haired or plump cats, the jawline may appear rounded and the skeletal lines less visible. However, keeping the skeleton in mind helps locate the various parts and their relationships. It also aids in capturing details like the cheekbone depressions.
Drawing the Eyes
With the outline complete, it’s time to focus on the eyes, the windows to a cat’s soul. Pay close attention to the following steps:
- Referencing the position of the first vertical line from the center to the left and right, draw the eyes. The distance between the eyes should be approximately 1.5 times the width of a single eye. Remember to capture the almond shape and add a subtle droopiness.
Adding the Nose and Mouth
Once the eyes are in place, we can now move on to drawing the nose, mouth, and chin. Follow these instructions carefully:
The cat’s nose is a downward facing triangle, with nostrils shaped like slits. Extend the nose from the eye socket area, drawing a smaller triangle near the horizontal line that divides the lower half.
A single line extends from the cat’s nose, leading to the mouth. Keep the mouth and chin relatively small in size.
Optionally, you can add the beard by drawing three strands on each side, originating from the bulge between the nose and mouth.
Capturing the Ears
The ears play a crucial role in a cat’s expressions. Here’s how you can draw them:
- Start at the intersection points where the ears meet the outline, drawing a line from the center of the eye upwards. Be mindful not to make the tips of the ears too pointed.
Refining the Details
Now that the overall structure is in place, it’s time to refine the outline and add any remaining details. Follow these steps:
Make adjustments to the outline and add any necessary details to ensure accuracy.
Once you are satisfied with the positioning and details, it’s time to add color. Feel free to experiment with shading and textures to bring your cat’s face to life.
Congratulations! You have successfully drawn a cat’s face. For additional guidance on drawing a cat’s body, please refer to our article: [How to Draw Cats 2]. Enjoy your creative journey!
