Mario Day Drawing Tutorials
Every year on March 10th, fans of Nintendo’s most recognizable hero celebrate Mario Day. The date works as a clever bit of wordplay. When you abbreviate March as MAR and add the number 10, it visually looks like “MAR10,” which reads just like Mario. What started as a fun observation by fans has grown into a full celebration of everything related to the Super Mario universe.
For many people, Mario Day means replaying classic games, sharing memories of favorite adventures, or introducing a new generation to characters that have been entertaining players for decades. Another great way to celebrate is by drawing the characters. Mario and his world are filled with expressive designs, memorable shapes, and colorful personalities that make them perfect subjects for artists.
In this special Mario Day article, I am sharing several Mario Day Drawing Tutorials from my YouTube channel. Each video walks through the process of drawing a character from the Mario universe step by step. Whether you are a beginner learning basic shapes or someone who already enjoys drawing cartoons, these tutorials are designed to make the process approachable and fun.
Below you will find five different tutorials featuring characters from across the Mario franchise. Grab a pencil, some paper, and follow along.
Mario Drawing Tutorial
No Mario Day celebration would be complete without the hero himself. Mario has been jumping through pipes, stomping Goombas, and rescuing Princess Peach since the early days of Nintendo. His bright red hat, bushy mustache, and cheerful personality make him one of the most recognizable characters in video game history.
In this first of the Mario Day Drawing Tutorials, we focus on drawing Mario in a classic cartoon style. The key to drawing Mario is breaking his design into simple shapes. His head starts with a round base, his hat adds a bold silhouette, and his large nose and mustache give his face instant personality.
When drawing Mario, it helps to focus on the proportions that define him. His head is large compared to his body, his gloves are oversized, and his boots are chunky and rounded. These exaggerations are part of what makes Mario such a fun character to draw.
This tutorial walks step by step through the process of building Mario from those basic shapes into a finished cartoon drawing. By the end of the video you will have your own version of the Mushroom Kingdom’s most famous plumber.
Learn to Draw Mario:
Bowser Drawing Tutorial
Every hero needs a villain, and Bowser has been Mario’s primary rival for decades. With his massive shell, sharp horns, and spiked bracelets, Bowser is one of the most visually striking characters in the series.
In this next entry in our Mario Day Drawing Tutorials, we focus on Bowser. Despite his intimidating appearance, Bowser can still be broken down into simple cartoon shapes that make him easier to draw than you might expect.
The tutorial focuses on starting with Bowser’s large head and jaw before adding his horns, eyebrows, and expressive eyes. From there we build out the shell, spikes, and muscular body that give Bowser his powerful presence.
Bowser is a great character to practice drawing because he combines both rounded cartoon shapes and more aggressive design elements. His shell spikes and claws contrast nicely with the softer shapes of his face and body, giving the drawing a dynamic look.
By following along with the tutorial, you can create your own version of the King of the Koopas ready to challenge Mario once again.
Learn to Draw Bowser:
Geno Drawing Tutorial (Super Mario RPG)
While many Mario fans know the classic characters from the main series, Super Mario RPG introduced several unique characters that quickly became fan favorites. One of the most memorable is Geno.
Geno has a distinctive puppet-like design with a cape, glowing eyes, and a magical star-powered identity. His design stands out from the rest of the Mario cast and makes him an especially interesting subject for drawing.
In this installment of the Mario Day Drawing Tutorials, we explore how to draw Geno step by step. The tutorial focuses on capturing the shape of his hat, the wooden puppet-style face, and the flowing cape that gives him such a dramatic silhouette.
Because Geno’s design mixes fantasy elements with the playful Mario style, he is a great character for artists who want to try something slightly different while still staying within the Mario universe.
Following the tutorial will help you understand how to balance those fantasy details while keeping the character recognizable.
Learn to Draw Geno from Super Mario RPG:
Mallow Drawing Tutorial (Super Mario RPG)
Another beloved character from Super Mario RPG is Mallow. Unlike most Mario characters, Mallow is a soft, cloud-like creature with a gentle personality and a unique design.
Mallow’s rounded body, simple face, and puffy shape make him a surprisingly fun character to draw. His design is built almost entirely from soft curves and circular shapes.
This section of our Mario Day Drawing Tutorials walks through the process of building Mallow from those basic shapes. Starting with a round body, we gradually add the arms, feet, facial features, and signature cloud-like hairstyle.
Because of his simplicity, Mallow is a great character for younger artists or beginners. His design proves that you do not always need complicated details to create a memorable character.
By the end of the tutorial you will have a cheerful drawing of Mallow that captures the playful spirit of the character.
Learn to Draw Mallow from Super Mario RPG:
Elephant Mario Drawing Tutorial (Super Mario Wonder)
One of the newest additions to the Mario universe comes from Super Mario Wonder, where players were introduced to the surprising and hilarious transformation known as Elephant Mario.
This version of Mario keeps his familiar hat and mustache but combines them with a giant elephant body. The result is one of the most memorable power-ups the series has introduced in years.
In the final entry of our Mario Day Drawing Tutorials, we focus on drawing Elephant Mario. The tutorial explains how to start with the large elephant head and trunk before incorporating Mario’s classic features like the mustache and cap.
This character is especially fun to draw because it blends two very different visual ideas. You get the large rounded shapes of an elephant combined with the recognizable details that make Mario instantly identifiable.
The result is a drawing that feels both new and nostalgic at the same time.
Learn to Draw Elephant Mario from Super Mario Wonder:
Drawing Practice and My Art Books
If you enjoy following along with these Mario Day Drawing Tutorials, practicing regularly is one of the best ways to keep improving your drawing skills. The more characters you draw, the easier it becomes to recognize shapes, proportions, and expressions that bring cartoon characters to life.
That idea is the foundation behind the drawing books I create at FirstArtBooks.com. My series includes How to Draw, Trace Then Color, and Draw by Grid books designed to help artists of all ages develop their drawing skills step by step.
Each book focuses on building drawings from simple shapes and clear steps, similar to the approach used in these tutorials. Some books guide you through six-step drawing lessons, while others allow you to trace lines or recreate drawings using grid guides. The goal is always the same: make drawing approachable and enjoyable so anyone can learn.
Whether someone is just starting out or already enjoys drawing cartoons, these books are meant to provide a fun and practical way to practice.
Celebrate Mario Day with Drawing
Mario Day is a great excuse to celebrate one of gaming’s most iconic characters. From classic heroes like Mario to villains like Bowser and fan favorites like Geno and Mallow, the Mario universe is full of characters that are perfect for artists to explore.
These Mario Day Drawing Tutorials give you several ways to join in the celebration. You can follow along with each video, practice drawing your favorite characters, and maybe even create your own Mario-inspired artwork.
All you need is a pencil, some paper, and a little creativity.
Happy Mario Day, and happy drawing.
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.”
