Drawing Michelangelo in My Crusty Goobers Style
In this post, I’m sharing a new timelapse drawing video where I draw Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in my Crusty Goobers style. This one was especially fun to work on because Michelangelo has always been the most playful and unpredictable of the Ninja Turtles, which fits perfectly with how I approach these drawings.
When I sit down to draw these Crusty Goobers–style characters, I don’t start with a sketch. I start with a pen. Whatever happens, happens. Any weird lines or unexpected shapes just become part of the character. That approach works really well for a character like Michelangelo, who has always been a little wild, a little goofy, and full of energy.
Drawing Along Without Overthinking It
This video isn’t about perfection or copying an exact reference. It’s about drawing along with me and letting the character evolve naturally. I put pen to paper and let the drawing lead the way. If a line goes somewhere unexpected, I work around it. That’s just part of the creative process.
After the ink work is done, I color the drawing using markers. You’ll see the character come to life as the colors go down, and you’ll notice that the coloring is loose and expressive. This is the same mindset I use when creating my Crusty Goobers characters in my books—fun first, rules second.
If you’re drawing along at home, this is a great reminder that you don’t need to erase mistakes. You can turn them into features.
Why Michelangelo Works So Well in This Style
Michelangelo has always been the most lighthearted of the four Turtle brothers. He plays pranks, cracks jokes, and doesn’t take much seriously—except pizza. That free-spirited personality translates really well into the Crusty Goobers style.
In this drawing, I lean into that playful energy. The shapes are loose, the expression is exaggerated, and the character feels like he’s mid-thought or mid-joke. Michelangelo’s love of pizza, skateboarding, surfing, and partying all influence how I think about his posture and expression while drawing.
He’s not stiff or serious. He’s carefree, a little chaotic, and full of personality—and that’s exactly the kind of energy I want kids (and adults) to feel when they draw along.
No Sketching, Just Commitment
One thing I always like to point out in these posts is that I don’t sketch first when I draw Crusty Goobers–style characters. I commit to the pen right away. That can feel scary at first, but it’s incredibly freeing once you get used to it.
Drawing Michelangelo this way keeps the process spontaneous. There’s no pressure to get things “right.” You’re reacting to the drawing as it develops. That’s something I encourage kids to try too—especially kids who feel stuck or nervous about drawing.
This approach shows that drawing doesn’t have to be perfect to be enjoyable or expressive.
How This Connects to My Crusty Goobers Books
The Crusty Goobers books are built around this exact mindset. The characters are strange, imperfect, funny, and unpredictable. They’re not meant to look polished or symmetrical. They’re meant to feel alive.
Even though Michelangelo himself doesn’t appear in the books, this video shows how any character could be reimagined in the same style. If you can draw along with this video, you can apply the same ideas to your own original characters—or to the creatures in the Crusty Goobers books.
The goal is always the same: draw freely, accept imperfections, and have fun with the process.
Drawing as a Creative Outlet
Videos like this aren’t just about a single character. They’re about encouraging people to sit down and draw without overthinking it. Whether you’re a kid picking up a marker for the first time or an adult who hasn’t drawn in years, this style removes a lot of pressure.
Watch The Video:
Michelangelo’s playful, innocent personality makes him a great reminder that drawing can be lighthearted. You don’t have to be serious. You don’t have to plan everything. You can just start.
Final Thoughts
This Michelangelo Crusty Goobers drawing was a blast to create, and I hope it inspires you to draw along and experiment with your own characters. Grab a pen, grab some markers, and see where the drawing takes you.
Whether you’re a longtime Ninja Turtles fan or just someone who enjoys drawing silly characters, this is a great way to loosen up and spark your own creativity.
Thanks for drawing along with me.
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.”
