Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles in My Crusty Goobers Style
In this post, I’m sharing a new timelapse drawing video where I draw Muckman from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in my Crusty Goobers style. Muckman is one of those characters that feels like he was made for this kind of loose, unpredictable drawing approach. He’s messy, strange, and full of personality—exactly the kind of character that works best when you just start drawing and see where it goes.
Just like the other drawings I’ve shared in this series, I don’t start with a sketch. I jump straight in with a pen. No pencil, no erasing, no safety net. Whatever happens on the page becomes part of the drawing, and that mindset fits Muckman perfectly.
A Little Background on Muckman
Part of what makes Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles so fun is the character’s backstory. Muckman was originally a garbage man named Garson Grunge who lived and worked around the sewers. After Bebop and Rocksteady dumped mutagen out a window, it landed on him and caused him to mutate into a walking pile of sentient trash.
At the same time, his friend Joe Junkee was also mutated into what became Joe Eyeball—his parasitic eyeball companion who often acts as his voice of reason. Together, they took on the names Muckman and Joe Eyeball.
They didn’t start out as friends of the Turtles. At first, they blamed the Turtles for what happened to them and even became enemies for a while. Over time, though, Muckman turned into more of an ally—grimy, sewer-loving, and capable of launching ooze attacks, but ultimately surprisingly friendly despite his gross appearance.
Knowing that backstory makes Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles even more enjoyable, because the character isn’t just a pile of trash—he’s a tragic, weird, and oddly likable figure.
Why Muckman Works So Well for This Drawing Style
Muckman isn’t supposed to be clean or symmetrical, which makes Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles ideal for a pen-first approach. His design invites chaos. Lumps, uneven shapes, and cluttered details all feel right at home.
That’s an important lesson for kids to see. Not every drawing has to be neat or polished to be successful. Characters like Muckman show that messy drawings can still have a lot of personality.
When kids draw along with this video, they’re encouraged to embrace their own version of Muckman instead of worrying about copying mine exactly.
Drawing Along Instead of Watching
These videos are meant to be drawn along with. Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles works best when kids grab paper and markers and jump in while the video plays.
Starting directly with pen shows that you don’t need to be afraid of making a mistake. Mistakes don’t end a drawing—they just change its direction. That mindset helps kids relax and enjoy the process instead of freezing up.
Pen First, Markers Second
When I draw Crusty Goobers–style characters, I never sketch first, and Muckman is no exception. I start with pen and let the lines fall where they fall. Once the drawing is finished, I color it in with markers.
Watching Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles go from loose linework to bold color helps show how forgiving drawing can be. Even imperfect lines can look great once color is added.
How This Connects to the Crusty Goobers Books
Muckman doesn’t appear in my Crusty Goobers books, but the process you see here is exactly how those characters are made. The books are full of original characters drawn with this same mindset—start drawing, keep going, and don’t overthink it.
If you enjoy Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles in this style, you’ll recognize that same energy in the Crusty Goobers books. They’re designed to help kids feel comfortable experimenting and creating without pressure.
Using Familiar Characters as Creative Jump-Starts
Familiar characters like Muckman make great creative warm-ups. When kids already know who the character is, they can skip the “what should I draw?” stage and just start.
Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles becomes a gateway into drawing original characters afterward, once kids feel loosened up and confident.
A Hands-On Way to Use Screen Time
This is the kind of screen time that encourages action. Instead of just watching, kids are actively drawing along. Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles becomes a creative activity rather than passive entertainment.
Parents often tell me they like pairing these videos with drawing books so kids can keep creating after the video ends.
About the Timelapse Drawing Video
In the video, you’re watching Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles from start to finish in a timelapse format. I begin directly with pen and let the drawing develop as I go. There’s no plan for where every piece of garbage lands or how the shapes stack up. I react to the drawing in real time.
If something looks off, I don’t stop. I adapt. That’s a big part of how Crusty Goobers–style characters come together. Sometimes a strange proportion or unexpected shape actually makes the character more interesting.
Watch the Video Here:
After the linework is finished, I color the drawing with markers. Marker coloring keeps things bold and energetic and fits the messy nature of Muckman perfectly. There’s no delicate shading here—just confident color choices and forward motion.
Final Thoughts
This timelapse video of Drawing Muckman from Ninja Turtles is meant to show that drawing doesn’t have to be planned or perfect. Starting with a pen, adapting to mistakes, and coloring boldly with markers makes the process fun and approachable.
That same philosophy is what drives my Crusty Goobers art books. They’re about creativity, momentum, and letting characters take shape naturally—even if they start as a pile of trash.
Kevin Coulston is an accomplished cartoonist, animator, and writer. He is the author and illustrator of over 80 (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.”
