The most common drawing mistakes kids make are drawing too small, pressing too hard, starting with details, putting eyes too far apart and running out of room on the page. Each one has a simple fix, and none of them mean a child “can’t draw.” They’re habits, and habits can change.
10 mistakes and quick fixes
1. Drawing too small
Tiny drawings are hard to add detail to. Fix: “Make it as big as your hand.” Draw a light box first and fill it.
2. Pressing too hard
Dark lines can’t be erased and tire the hand. Fix: “Draw like a feather first, then like a rock at the end.”
3. Starting with the details
Starting with an eye means the head ends up the wrong size. Fix: big shapes first, details last. See drawing with shapes.
4. Running out of room
The body doesn’t fit on the page. Fix: plan where the head and feet go before starting. The gray guide on a How to Draw page shows the whole finished drawing, so kids always know it’ll fit.
5. Eyes too far apart
The face looks odd. Fix: eyes close together, about halfway down the head. See cartoon eyes.
6. Stick arms and legs
Fix: draw arms as long ovals or tubes; add simple mitten hands.
7. Everything in a row
Characters lined up like soldiers. Fix: overlap one in front of another.
8. Rushing
Fix: “One step at a time.” Finish each step before looking at the next.
9. Erasing too much
Erasing every line makes holes in the paper and the patience. Fix: sketch lightly so mistakes don’t matter, and leave some wobbles.
10. Giving up at the first mistake
Fix: turn the mistake into something. A wobbly line can become hair or a tail. See growth mindset art activities.
How to point out a mistake kindly
- Ask a question: “What could we change so the body fits?”
- Point to one thing at a time.
- Praise what worked first. See how to praise a child’s drawing.
- Never fix it for them.
For perfectionists
If your child erases everything or crumples pages, the problem isn’t the drawing; it’s the pressure. See perfectionism in kids’ art.
The book that helps
The gray guide on every How to Draw step fixes size and spacing problems before they start.
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
How to Draw: Cartoon Cats & DogsAs an Amazon Associate, FirstArtBooks earns from qualifying purchases.
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Questions
Why are my child’s drawings so small?
Many kids draw small to feel safe. Encourage big drawings by drawing a light box first and filling it.
How do I stop my child from pressing too hard?
Teach “feather lines” for sketching and “rock lines” only at the end. Softer pencils help too.
Should I correct my child’s drawing mistakes?
Gently, and one at a time, by asking questions rather than fixing it for them.