On every step of a How to Draw page, a light gray outline shows the complete finished drawing. That guide lets kids see the layout and spacing before they start: how big the head is, where the ears go, how far apart the eyes are. Kids draw black lines on top, a few new ones each step, until the character is done. Then they color it in.
Why a gray guide?
The hardest part of drawing for most kids isn’t making a line; it’s knowing where the line should go and how big to make things. A child who starts with a huge head runs out of room for the body. A child who draws the eyes too far apart ends up with a strange face. The gray guide solves that. It’s always there, on every step, showing the whole finished drawing at the right size.
How each step works
- Look at the gray guide. That is the finished drawing, in light gray.
- Find the new lines. Each step adds a few new black lines.
- Draw them. All the lines in the drawing are black: the ones from earlier steps and the new ones.
- Check, then move on. Compare with the example before the next step.
Most characters take about six steps. Each step is small, so no step feels hard.
Tips for kids
- Draw lightly at first. Light lines are easy to erase. See common drawing mistakes and fixes.
- Start big. Big drawings are easier than tiny ones.
- Don’t rush. Finish each step before you look at the next.
- Make it yours. When you’re done, add a hat, a background or a funny face.
Tips for grown-ups
- Do it together. Draw the same character side by side.
- Say the step out loud. “Now the two ears, like triangles.”
- Praise the effort. “You kept the eyes nice and close together” is better than “Perfect.” See how to praise a child’s drawing.
- In a classroom, show one step at a time on the board. See directed drawing.
Is it just copying?
Copying is how artists have always learned. But step-by-step lessons do more than copy: they teach kids to see a drawing as simple shapes built up in order. After a few lessons, kids start using those shapes to draw their own characters. Read why step-by-step drawing works.
Videos and free pages
Many lessons have a video too. Watch on the videos page, and print free step-by-step pages from the drawing ideas page.
Which age?
How to Draw books are for ages 5 and up, roughly kindergarten to grade 5. Younger kids can start with tracing. For the full plan, see how to help your child learn to draw.
The book that helps
Every How to Draw book uses this method, with dozens of characters per book. Pick a theme your child loves.
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
How to Draw: Cartoon Robots
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Questions
What is the gray outline on a How to Draw page?
It shows the complete finished drawing on every step, so kids can see the size, layout and spacing while they draw.
Are the lines from earlier steps gray?
No. All the lines kids draw are black, both earlier ones and new ones. The gray outline is only the guide to the finished drawing.
How many steps are in each lesson?
Most characters take about six steps, each adding a few new lines.
What age are How to Draw books for?
Ages 5 and up, roughly kindergarten to grade 5.