Use this tutorial to learn how to draw Cupid in his recognizable form with his signature curly hair, bow, and heart-tipped arrow.

How to Draw Cupid: Introduction

Cupid is usually shown as a small winged figure holding a bow and arrow, and this simplified version conveys that in a simplified and stylized form that’s easy to draw. This tutorial on how to draw Cupid keeps the look simple while making sure the key features are clear and readable.

When you will draw Cupid, keep in mid that the most important thing to pay attention to is proportion. The head is intentionally large compared to the body, and the limbs are short and rounded. If the arms or legs are drawn too long or angled too sharply, the figure will lose its cartoon and cute style.

Another very important thing is not to overcomplicate the figure. All parts of the body are made with basic shapes, and the arms, legs, and wings should look simple and smooth. Avoid adding too many details that would take away from the clean silhouette.

The hair is another area where it’s easy to lose control of the shape. Try to keep the curls smooth and simple. The face is minimal, with only essential features. Don’t overcomplicate the facial features.

Cupid Drawing Tutorial

Materials

Pencil
Paper
Eraser
Coloring supplies

Time needed: 45 minutes

How to Draw Cupid

Begin to sketch Cupid’s outline.
Draw Cupid’s head as a large circle or oval, and just below it, add a smaller, rounded oval for the body. The head should be slightly larger than the body to match the cute, cartoon style. Keep the lines smooth and light since you’ll be adding details around these shapes in the next steps.
Draw Cupid’s facial details.
Next, draw Cupid’s facial features, starting with two small circles for the eyes, placing them near the middle of the head. Above each eye, draw short curved lines for eyebrows. Then sketch a small rounded nose and a gentle smile using a smooth curved line. When you draw Cupid, try to keep the details minimal.
Sketch the ear and curly hair.
To continue to draw Cupid, add his curly hair and small ears. First, draw a small curved ear just below the hair. Then, sketch a series of soft, rounded bumps around the top and sides of the head to create the look of fluffy curls. These should form a crown-like shape.
Sketch the rounded arms and hands.
Sketch the left arm first with the hand extending forward, ready to hold the bow. Use smooth, rounded lines, keeping the elbow joint soft. Then draw the right arm crossing in front of the body, also extended forward. At the end of each arm, sketch simple cartoon hands with small fingers.
Sketch the bow and arrow.
To draw Cupid’s signature accessory, sketch a curved bow in the left hand. The bow should be a long, symmetrical “C” or “W” shape, with a string drawn from end to end. Then, add a small heart-shaped arrowhead on the right and a short shaft extending to the bow’s string.
Draw Cupid’s clothes and visible wing.
Now sketch Cupid’s visible wing, starting with a curved shape for the upper edge. Then sketch three rounded sections that resemble feathers. Place the wing high on the back, behind the right arm. Next, sketch a few wavy lines around Cupid’s waist to show the fabric that wraps around his lower body.
Sketch the legs and feet.
Sketch the left leg slightly bent and the right leg stretched back, both with soft, rounded forms to match the rest of the character. Add small, simplified feet at the ends – use a gentle arc for the soles and rounded lines for the toes. The leg positioning should support the illusion of flight.
Outline the shapes and erase the guidelines.
Now, use a darker pencil or pen to trace all major lines of your Cupid drawing. Erase any extra or overlapping sketch lines from the first steps that are no longer needed. Make the lines smooth and polished throughout the figure. If any proportions seem incorrect, this is a good moment to make small adjustments.
Color the drawing of Cupid.
To complete the tutorial, color the full drawing of Cupid, using soft peach or beige tones for the skin, light yellow or golden colors for the hair, and white or light gray for the wings. The bow can be brown or gold, and the heart-shaped arrow tip should be bright red or pink.

Conclusion

This Cupid drawing tutorial is a good exercise for developing your skills in symmetry, proportions, and character creating. It’s especially helpful for practicing how to keep different parts of a figure balanced while working with themed elements like props and wings.

If you’d like to continue with similar subjects, try to draw a heart in a really easy way and visit my very detailed tutorial on how to draw a rose. These pair naturally with Cupid and work well in themed collections.

For more step-by-step tutorials, check the my collections on Pinterest, where you’ll also find printable versions. If you prefer watching the process, the YouTube channel offers guided lessons in video format, updated regularly with new ideas and subjects.