How to Draw a Monster
A monster can take almost any shape, so this tutorial on how to draw a monster gives you room to work with unusual forms and a strong cartoon expression.
Prepare to Draw a Monster
A monster is a good subject for practicing exaggerated cartoon forms because its body does not need to follow normal anatomy. Small differences in the shape of the head or limbs can make the creature look more unusual.
The head connects directly to the torso, without a visible neck. Pay attention to this connection, since placing the head too high would change the heavy look of the figure.
The single eye and lowered head create the monster’s unusual expression. The arms and legs are thick and heavy.
The body does not need perfect symmetry. Slight differences between the limbs suit this type of fantasy character and will not spoil the drawing.
Monster Drawing Tutorial
Materials
- Pencil
- Paper
- Eraser
- Coloring supplies (green and brown)
Time needed: 20 minutes
How to draw a monster step by step
- Outline the monster’s head and torso.
Sketch a large oval for the monster’s head, then add a body shape beneath it. Let the two forms overlap slightly so the head connects directly to the torso without a visible neck.
- Add the monster’s eye and nose.
Place one large eye near the center of the head and draw the pupil inside it. Add a small nose below the eye, leaving enough room underneath for the monster’s mouth.
- Draw the monster’s ears and mouth.
Add a pointed ear on each side of the head. Below the nose, sketch a curved mouth with the ends turned downward to form the monster’s facial expression.
- Sketch the monster’s arms and hands.
Extend two thick arms beside the torso and place the hands near the lower part of the body. Use simple curved lines for the fingers rather than drawing detailed joints.
- Outline the monster’s legs.
Draw two thick legs beneath the torso of the monster. Leave a clear gap between them. Leave enough room below to add the feet in the next step.
- Add the monster’s feet and toes.
Sketch a large foot at the end of each leg. Use short curved lines to separate the toes, and make the feet wider than the legs.
- Draw the monster’s torn clothing.
Add a simple garment across the torso and place its upper edge over one shoulder. Draw an uneven lower edge with several pointed tears. You can anlso add small clothing details.
- Refine the monster line drawing.
Erase the lines hidden inside the arms, legs, and clothing. Trace the remaining contours more clearly, then check that the lines are connected smoothly.
- Color the cartoon monster.
Use green for the monster’s skin and brown for the torn garment. Color the pupil black, leave a small white highlight in the eye, and add darker green inside the ears and mouth.
Monster Drawing Printables
Download the printable version of this monster drawing tutorial if you want to practice away from the screen. The PDF includes the step-by-step guide along with tracing, coloring, and grid worksheets.
More Ways to Draw a Monster
After finishing the main drawing, try a few different monster designs. Each tutorial uses the same simple approach but changes the character’s shape and details.
Simple Monster Drawing Tutorial
This version starts with one simple body shape and gradually adds the facial features, arms, and legs. It is a good choice if you want to practice creating a monster with only a few basic lines.
Once the main outline is complete, you can easily change the eyes, horns, or teeth to create a different monster without changing the construction.
Monster Face Drawing Tutorial
This method focuses only on the monster’s head. The simple face shape gives you more time to practice the eye, mouth, hair, and other facial details without drawing the whole body.
After learning this version, you can use the same face on many different monster characters with your own body designs.
Cute Monster Drawing Tutorial
This version uses softer shapes and a different expression. The simple construction makes it easy to change the horns, eyes, or smile and create your own cartoon monster.
Once the drawing is finished, experiment with different colors to give each monster its own personality.
Conclusion
This monster uses only a few simple shapes, which makes it a good subject for experimenting with your own ideas. Change the eye, ears, clothing, or colors, and you will quickly get a completely different character.
If you’d like to keep drawing fantasy creatures, try how to draw a dragon next. It introduces a different body structure while still using simple cartoon construction.
Each new character adds another idea to your sketchbook, and after a few drawings you’ll have no trouble inventing monsters of your own.
