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How to Draw Pikachu

In this guide, I will show you how to draw Pikachu – the world’s most famous Pokemon and one of the most recognizable anime characters.

How to Draw Pikachu Featured Image
How to Draw Pikachu Step by Step

How to Draw Pikachu: Introduction

So, if you wanted to learn how to draw Pikachu, you are probably a fan of Pokémon. Or you decided to practice your artistic skill and chose simple but cool-looking art for this. Either way, you’ve made a great choice.

Pikachu is one of the most iconic characters from the Pokémon series, and mastering how to draw it can help you improve your ability to illustrate well-known cartoon characters.

While drawing Pikachu, there are a few key details to focus on to ensure that the character is recognizable. Pay attention to Pikachu’s round body shape, to make the character look cute and accurate. The placement of the large, pointy ears is another important feature that defines Pikachu’s appearance, along with the lightning bolt-shaped tail.

Now, gather your pencils and erasers, and make sure you have good lighting. By focusing on these details and carefully following each step, you’ll be able to draw Pikachu accurately and effectively. Let’s begin drawing Pikachu!

Pikachu Drawing Tutorial

Materials

  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Eraser
  • Coloring supplies

Time needed: 30 minutes

How to Draw Pikachu

  1. Draw the head of Pikachu.

    Begin the drawing by sketching a basic oval shape to outline Pikachu’s head. The shape should be slightly narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, mimicking the general head shape of the character without any details yet.Draw the head of Pikachu

  2. Sketch the body.

    Now, extend the drawing by creating Pikachu’s body outline. From the base of the head, draw two lines curving downward to create Pikachu’s rounded body. At the bottom, draw a slight curve to show where Pikachu will sit. This gives the drawing of Pikachu a cute, chubby appearance.Sketch the body

  3. Illustrate the limbs of Pokémon.

    Start by drawing two simple lines coming down from the upper body for the arms, placing them on either side. The arms should be short and plump. At the ends of the arms, draw small hands with simple fingers. Next, draw Pikachu’s legs at the bottom of the body.Illustrate the limbs of Pokémon

  4. Draw the ears of Pikachu.

    Starting at the top corners of the head, draw two long, pointed ears extending outward. The base of each ear should be narrower where it connects to the head, gradually widening and then tapering toward the sharp tips. Draw characteristic diagonal lines on the tips of the ears.Draw the ears of Pikachu

  5. Draw the tail.

    Start by drawing two jagged lines to the right of Pikachu’s body. These lines should move in sharp, diagonal directions, forming the characteristic zigzag shape. The tail should have three main “zigzags” before reaching the tip.Draw the tail

  6. Add the facial details.

    Detail Pikachu’s face by adding two simple dots for the eyes and a small, curved line for the mouth. These features should be placed carefully. Another noticeable feature of Pikachu’s appearance is the red circles on his cheeks. In anime style, a simplified blush might look like this.Add the facial details

  7. Erase the guidelines.

    Erase any unnecessary lines from earlier steps and make adjustments to any inaccuracies in the lines or shapes. Trace over the entire drawing with a darker or thicker line to finalize the outlines, making every part distinct and clear.Erase the guidelines

  8. Color Pikachu.

    Complete the drawing by applying colors true to Pikachu’s classic look: bright yellow for the body, red for the cheeks, and brown at the base of the tail. A few white highlights in the eyes will create an even friendlier expression on the Pokemon’s face.Color Pikachu

Additional Content

I hope your drawing process has resulted in a satisfactory outcome. Now, I would like to provide you with an shortened version of this drawing tutorial, complemented with additional materials. This compact version is created for convenient reference at any time. By downloading the file, you will have access to a shortened version of the lesson that you can use at your own pace. In addition to the steps of this Pikachu drawing tutorial, you will also find a coloring page, a tracing worksheet, and a grid drawing worksheet.

How to Draw Pikachu: Advanced Advices

One of the key traits of Pokémon drawings is their minimalistic approach to details. Pikachu’s face, body, and limbs all follow this simplicity. Resist the urge to add excessive detailing, as this does not align with the core design principles of Pokémon characters.

Pikachu’s limbs and paws are kept minimal, with simple, short lines indicating fingers and toes. Keep these details as simple as possible, ensuring they remain proportionate to the body and are not overly detailed. This helps to keep the drawing consistent with the original look.

Pikachu, like most Pokémon, is drawn with clean and simple lines. Avoid using excessive details or textures, as this can conflict with the character’s simple style. Focus on smooth curves and clear, bold lines to replicate the clean look seen in official Pokémon artwork.

The shading in Pokémon illustrations is typically minimal, relying on large blocks of color rather than detailed gradients. If adding shading, use it sparingly, and focus on large, simple areas of shadow rather than fine details. This helps to maintain the flat, clean style of the Pokémon design.

Pikachu’s color palette is really simple and consists of solid yellow with red cheeks and black ear tips. When adding color, avoid using complex effects, instead focusing on solid, flat blocks of color. This method keeps the character looking true to the Pokémon style.

Conclusion

By following each step carefully, you should now have a complete drawing that illustrates Pikachu’s familiar features. Practicing these steps will help you become more comfortable with drawing this character.

If you found this tutorial helpful, be sure to check out other tutorials available on my site, such as the anime character drawing tutorial or the chibi drawing tutorial. Additionally, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel, where you can find video versions of these drawing tutorials. You can also follow me on Pinterest to stay updated with the latest content, where I regularly share new tutorials and coloring pages.

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