Free Video: How to Draw Michelangelo from TMNT
Ready to draw your favorite nunchuck-swinging turtle? In today’s free video tutorial, I’m showing you how to draw Michelangelo—yes, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle himself. If your kid’s into pizza-loving, sewer-dwelling heroes, they’re going to love this one.
This drawing is totally kid-friendly and drawn in my usual silly cartoon style. I walk you through every step slowly and clearly, making it easy for young artists to follow along.
And while Michelangelo isn’t one of the characters in my Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals book, this video fits right in with the kind of weird, wild, and wonderfully mutated animals you’ll find inside the pages of that book. After all, what are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles if not the original mutant animal cartoon crew?
About the Book: Draw by Grid – Mutant Animals
Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals is one of my weirdest and funniest books—and that’s saying something. Every drawing in the book uses a simple grid system to help kids create their own versions of hilarious mutant creatures, one square at a time.
These aren’t your average animals. This book is packed with:
- A sheep with 4 arms
- A cycloptic pig
- A horse/bird hybrid
- A 6-armed cat creature
- …and dozens more strange and silly animal mashups
It’s a great companion to this free video, where we walk through how to draw Michelangelo, because the focus in both is the same—drawing funny characters with personality.
Kids who love the Turtles will get a kick out of this book because it taps into that same kind of energy: action, humor, and creative design all mashed together.
What Makes the “Draw by Grid” Series Different?
This series is all about making drawing fun and accessible for kids. Each page features a goofy character broken down into a simple grid format. That means your child doesn’t have to worry about getting everything “right” all at once. Instead, they can focus on one square at a time, slowly building their drawing in a way that feels easy and achievable.
Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals is especially fun because it breaks all the rules of the animal kingdom. In this book, anything goes. Extra limbs? Go for it. Eye patches? Absolutely. Wings, horns, weird fur patterns, teeth where they shouldn’t be—yes, yes, and yes.
If your kid had fun learning how to draw Michelangelo in the video, they’re going to love drawing these ridiculous animal hybrids too.
Why Drawing Mutant Animals Is a Hit With Kids
There’s something super satisfying about drawing weird creatures. Kids don’t have to follow the same old rules, and that opens the door to real creativity.
In this book, I’ve designed each character to look wild and funny, but not complicated. They’re goofy and expressive, not overly detailed or intimidating. That balance makes it perfect for young artists who want to create cool things without getting overwhelmed.
Plus, mutant animals spark storytelling. Your kid might start with the drawing, but don’t be surprised if they end up naming their creature, giving it a backstory, and imagining whole worlds where these characters live. It all starts with putting pencil to paper.
And after they try this video and learn how to draw Michelangelo, you may find them inventing their own turtle-like creatures—maybe even a pizza-loving platypus with a shell?
Designed for Kids Ages 6 and Up (But Fun for Everyone)
The Draw by Grid format works well for artists of all skill levels, but it really shines for kids ages 6 and up. The gridded pages help build spatial awareness, improve focus, and teach kids how to translate what they see into what they draw.
It also teaches patience—something every artist needs. Completing one of these pages feels like a mini achievement, and the results always bring a smile.
Even if your kid is just starting out, they’ll feel successful working through this book. And the more they draw, the more their confidence grows.
Drawing at Home, in Classrooms, or on the Go
This series is designed to be used anywhere. All you need is a pencil and a flat surface. There’s no mess, no apps, no batteries required—just good, creative fun.
Try the free video where I show you how to draw Michelangelo, then grab a copy of Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals and keep the momentum going. Whether your child is working at the kitchen table, on a road trip, or in an art class, this book is easy to bring along and hard to put down.
Try the Video, Then Dive Into the Book
I always love sharing these video freebies because they give you a real taste of what drawing with me is like. If your child enjoys drawing Michelangelo, they’re going to love the mutant animal madness waiting inside the book.
The grid system in Draw by Grid: Mutant Animals makes it easy for kids to follow along, and the silly characters make it irresistible to keep going. This isn’t just drawing—it’s play, imagination, and storytelling all rolled into one.
So give the video a try. See what your kid thinks. And if they love learning how to draw Michelangelo, they’re absolutely going to love drawing their own army of mutant animals next.
Kevin Coulston is an accomplished cartoonist, animator, and writer. He is the author and illustrator of over 70 (and still counting) children’s drawing books available here on FirstArtBooks.com. Kevin has also authored numerous kid-friendly comic book series, including “Dylan McVillain: A Super Villain with the Best Intentions” and “The Adventures of a 4th Grade Space Captain,” along with the Children’s Picture Book series “Alexis and the T-Rexes.”
