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| Uploaded: | September 13, 2011 |
| Artist: | Catlucker |
| Difficulty: | Intermediate  |
| Steps: | 23 |
| Updated: | September 13, 2011 |
| P.O.V: | Front |
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How to Sketch a Cat
This is a first! I'm drawing an animal! This time I'm introducing the feline of the animal kingdom - a cat. This cat is between a kitten and an older cat. I couldn't resist doing this picture because it is from a DevientArt member. I held a contest in my account at DevientArt.com to get permission for using animal photos from original photographers or people so I would not be in copyright infringement. She is one of the two First Place Winners. Her name is Aika-san and she called the picture, "What?" So I can show this photo that is a reference picture. In this tutorial we are going to learn "How to Sketch a Cat." I hope you will enjoy it.
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STEP 1.
This first step is the reference picture I used for sketching. I turned the color picture to black and white so I could see the tones and values and sketch them into the drawing. And once you have your picture on the computer, it's easy to make larger for details you might miss.
STEP 2.
MECHANICAL PENCILS - You want to know what pencils I use? Here they are along with how their lead appears in the crosshatch, line, and circular shading. They start from light (H) to dark (B). ------ 9B'S & BLENDERS - Click on the picture with my very dark graphite and blending stumps. You can actually shade a little with blending stumps without the graphite (if it's a little dirty with graphite already on it). Try this stuff out. It really goes a long way in creating a realistic pictures or even sketches
STEP 3.
Now let's start sketching! First start with these interesting shapes. Start with the curve, like an antennea. Lightly sketch these lines please. Then do your circle slightly underneath the curve. Next draw in the lines for eyes and nose placement. Connect the bell shape. Finally, draw the bisecting line to keep a symmetrical balance for this cat's features.
STEP 4.
Draw in your cat's ears, left side of neck and feet. Notice the cat isn't sitting straight up. Try to mimic the curve of these lines and the feet at a slant. Draw lightly and you can erase anything that doesn't look right. Now draw it in correctly
STEP 5.
Your cat is shaping up. Draw in the eyes, nose, mouth and chin. Then the rounded torso and chest hairs. Don't forget the other side of the cat.
STEP 6.
You are actually completing the outline. Draw in the hair and markings of the cat, lightly. Curve those whiskers. I would suggest you add the rock bench and board because it gives the cat the illusion of sitting down and part of the cat's body is behind this bench. If you want to stop here you can. But you will be missing out on the following great new tips.
STEP 7.
Once you erase the guidelines, your outline can look close to this ink outline.
STEP 8.
Those of you who would like to do the line drawing, here's the cat with markings. The following steps will include more tips and steps on how to sketch or draw the penciled cat picture.
STEP 9.
Working at a university in the audio visual department as an artist taught me lots of professional terms. One is "thumbnail sketch." Sometimes I would receive clients that needed logos, pamphlets, murals, silk-screened t-shirts done and I would draw a thumbnail sketch so they could have a preview of what we would do. Now, I would like to share some professional terms we used in the workplace. Click on SKETCH TERMS to see some different applications of sketches.
STEP 10.
TONE-SHADING-TEXTURE - Click on this picture to see the basic shapes that make up most of nature. Adding tone, shading & texture makes your 2-dimensional picture seem to pop out like a 3-dimensional one!
STEP 11.
Overhand is great for writing or fine details. Underhand is like rollerblading through walking traffic--it goes fast! Try tonal shading. It's a great exercise.
STEP 12.
Here are more exercise in case you want to practice for more realism. Heyyyy, I practice too! *giggle* And don't worry about crocked lines. That's all part of the practice.
STEP 13.
Here is another challenge. Remember the days in school when you had to swim, write, type, learn quicker? Sketching and doodling is that kind of exercise too. Draw three strokes really fast in that second. Follow those arrows on the line strokes. Start out slow, then speed up. This helps you to make fur on animals without taking a long time.
STEP 14.
Here is how the pencil outline looks without the the guidelines. If you haven't already, erase those guidelines and see if your cat looks a little like this one.
STEP 15.
My advice is to take your time drawing in the markings. Start with the No. 2 pencil and make sure it is sharp. Draw in the tiny short hairs in short strokes. Top of the head and eyes are the basic areas to begin.
STEP 16.
From left to right sketch in the markings add heavier pressure to your No.2 pencil. I used a 2B 0.7mm mechanical pencil to get those tiny strokes. Try using those short strokes for the cat's hair under eyes and over face. Also start on the neck, legs, and feet markings. Keep a sheet of paper underneath your drawing hand to keep your drawing clean.
STEP 17.
Work your pencil down the cat's torso to the feet. Look at the reference picture and notice that your picture is still light. Right now we're sketching in lines and strokes in the direction of the hair. Don't worry that your tone does not match the reference picture.
STEP 18.
Do a first blend on the drawing with a blending stump. You will not lose your details if you avoid the eyes and nose. As you go over the darker markings, go in the direction of the hair--as if you are combing the cat.
STEP 19.
I gave in and wanted to blend in the hairs more so I softly brushed over the cat's torso area with a tissue. Very, very gently go over the face, but don't lose your details.
STEP 20.
Pencil in a little shading in the background. And if you have sandpaper, use that for the stone bench part. I used a 180-grit sandpaper I got from the hardware store under a dollar (USD). Otherwise, dotting your bench takes much longer.
STEP 21.
Okay, say it! I cheated! (Just kidding) I wanted my kitty-cat to pop out so I added the famous opaque Titanium White Acrylic Paint. *NEW TIP* First I sprayed my picture with a workable fixative to keep the graphite from mixing with the paint!*NEW TIP OVER* Then I used a tiny sable paint brush on the whiskers, outline hair fluff and some body hairs. I also darkened the outline and markings of our cat with a 9B pencil. No.2 pencil people, use more pressure and go over them a couple of more times to get that dark look. The last two steps will show you highlights, tone, shading, etc. So don't stop reading
STEP 22.
Here is how tone, shading, texture and reflective light affected this picture of our kitty-cat.
STEP 23.
And, last but not least, is HIGHLIGHTS. Click on this picture to see where it applies! In closing this tutorial of "How to Sketch a Cat," I must say it has been my pleasure to teach this. Also I'd like to hear if the extra tips made a difference for you. Let me know if you've drawn from this tutorial so I can comment, fav, and vote on your creation. Please don't be shy. I'd love to hear what you have to say. Don't forget to comment, fav, and vote for me too! Keep an eye out for more tuts from me. I will have "How to Sketch" a bird, lion, and tiger tutorials coming soon. Luv you all so much! *blowkiss* *tight hug*Comments: Post Comment
catlucker ~ Oct 17, 2012, 10:08:37 AM
Thank you!!!! 
@wolvesareawesome112
And, begging and pleas for help aside, this is an absolutely brilliant tutorial!! For your first animal tut, WOW 
love the detail!!! 
love the detail!!!
catlucker ~ Oct 17, 2012, 10:07:27 AM
There are weird little speechless icons. To help clarify, the following are the words m-i-s-s-i-n-g. 1) The 9B pencil can be sub-s-t-i-t-uted with a 2B pencil. 2) kneaded eraser or use t-i-t-anium 3) to give that extra "-p-op"
@wolvesareawesome112
Ok, anyway, sorry about the crazy begging, but have you got any tips for doing the effect of the light on the cats fur? I only use 2B and HB pencils, and a very, very, very vague sort of blending stump. Also the eyes? how do you get that sort of shiny effect? Ive pressed zoom and can see that theres tiny strokes coming out, but mine just havent got that effect. Help?? Thank you so much catlucker!!!
catlucker ~ Oct 17, 2012, 10:02:36 AM
Okay, I'm glad to help. First (it may not sound important, but) use the full size of your typing paper 8-1/2 by 11 inches or bigger. Once you've finished your whole outline of the cat (that means the eyes are outlined too), you can start shading. In the eyes use a sharpened 2b pencil and darken those pupils as black as you can (if there's a highlight lighting in the pupils-like a part of a tiny circle-leave it blank). Now the iris area is tricky, but start with a sharpened HB pencil and make tiny radiating lines from the center (where the pupil is). Check out my eye tutorial for that type of detail. Here's the link: http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/8332/1/1/how-to-draw-eyes-in-pencil,-draw-eyes-with-pencil.htm It's like doing a little painting within a painting. It takes a tiny bit of time. Uhm, focus on the eye tutorial pencil shading parts: Steps 16 thru 19. Read it slowly and follow it in your mind. A 2HB pencil is the regular HB pencil or No. 2 pencils you use in school. The 9B pencil can be subs
uted with a 2B pencil that you have. Okay once you've gotten the foundation down...pupil, lines radiating in the eye, sectioned out white areas (sparkles or catch lights) then you can shade in or around the shapes, add darker shading for depth with a blending stump. You can clean up your sparkles with a kneaded eraser or use anium white/watercolor white to give that extra "
op". Lots of info, but I hope I helped.
uted with a 2B pencil that you have. Okay once you've gotten the foundation down...pupil, lines radiating in the eye, sectioned out white areas (sparkles or catch lights) then you can shade in or around the shapes, add darker shading for depth with a blending stump. You can clean up your sparkles with a kneaded eraser or use anium white/watercolor white to give that extra "op". Lots of info, but I hope I helped.@wolvesareawesome112
Ok, anyway, sorry about the crazy begging, but have you got any tips for doing the effect of the light on the cats fur? I only use 2B and HB pencils, and a very, very, very vague sort of blending stump. Also the eyes? how do you get that sort of shiny effect? Ive pressed zoom and can see that theres tiny strokes coming out, but mine just havent got that effect. Help?? Thank you so much catlucker!!!
catlucker ~ Oct 17, 2012, 9:51:17 AM
Awwww...such pion, such enthusiasm! Hey, try getting that put through to Dawn in the request on on the main header. That makes the request authentic (if she approves, I get compensated). That would help me soooo much.
ion, such enthusiasm! Hey, try getting that put through to Dawn in the request on on the main header. That makes the request authentic (if she approves, I get compensated). That would help me soooo much.@wolvesareawesome112
Lion tut??? please 
Its not usual that i beg for tuts... but a lion tutorial would be amazing! I know a tutorial takes heaps of time and effort, but if you have any free time after youve finished the tuts you're working on, and when you've finished the 1D guys... maybe you could do one of a lion?? I would love doing the mane
Its not usual that i beg for tuts... but a lion tutorial would be amazing! I know a tutorial takes heaps of time and effort, but if you have any free time after youve finished the tuts you're working on, and when you've finished the 1D guys... maybe you could do one of a lion?? I would love doing the mane
wolvesareawesome112 ~ Oct 17, 2012, 6:37:44 AM
And, begging and pleas for help aside, this is an absolutely brilliant tutorial!! For your first animal tut, WOW love the detail!!!
love the detail!!!
wolvesareawesome112 ~ Oct 17, 2012, 6:35:15 AM
Ok, anyway, sorry about the crazy begging, but have you got any tips for doing the effect of the light on the cats fur? I only use 2B and HB pencils, and a very, very, very vague sort of blending stump. Also the eyes? how do you get that sort of shiny effect? Ive pressed zoom and can see that theres tiny strokes coming out, but mine just havent got that effect. Help?? Thank you so much catlucker!!!
wolvesareawesome112 ~ Oct 17, 2012, 6:30:12 AM
Lion tut??? please Its not usual that i beg for tuts... but a lion tutorial would be amazing! I know a tutorial takes heaps of time and effort, but if you have any free time after youve finished the tuts you're working on, and when you've finished the 1D guys... maybe you could do one of a lion?? I would love doing the mane
Its not usual that i beg for tuts... but a lion tutorial would be amazing! I know a tutorial takes heaps of time and effort, but if you have any free time after youve finished the tuts you're working on, and when you've finished the 1D guys... maybe you could do one of a lion?? I would love doing the mane
catlucker ~ Oct 6, 2012, 3:14:15 PM
Thank you for that wonderful compliment! @sacha
absolutely frikkin' AMAZINGGGGGGGGG
sacha ~ Oct 6, 2012, 11:48:14 AM
absolutely frikkin' AMAZINGGGGGGGGG
catlucker ~ Feb 20, 2012, 10:43:08 AM
Thank you!!! I hope you have a lot of fun drawing it! Much luv to you!
@Agnesu
Wow I Love it! i'm going to draw this today! 
i hope it's going to be nice 
but GREAT tut Catlucker 
I Love it! i'm going to draw this today! i hope it's going to be nice but GREAT tut Catlucker 