Video Drawing Tutorial: Shape Drawing Challenge #3 | Turn 1 Shape into 3 Characters | Shape Drawing Book for Kids

by | May 19, 2025 | How to Draw Books for Kids, Video Tutorials

Shape Drawing Challenge Video 3: One Shape, Three New Characters + A Shape Drawing Book for Kids!

If you’ve been following along with my Shape Drawing Challenge video series, then you’re in for a treat. The third video in the series is here, and in this one, I take a single, simple shape and turn it into three completely different characters: a cuddly alien, a cheerful robot, and a fire-breathing dragon! These quick, creative sketches are a fun way to show just how far you can stretch your imagination using just one shape.

This challenge is all about creativity, thinking outside the box, and having fun while drawing. Each transformation happens in real-time as I draw on camera, talking through my ideas and how I use the shape as a foundation. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking for a fresh drawing exercise to try with your kids, the challenge in this shape drawing book for kids is a great place to start.

Shape Drawing Challenge Book

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What Is the Shape Drawing Challenge?

The Shape Drawing Challenge is an art exercise where you start with a simple shape—like a blob, a square, or a squiggle—and turn it into multiple characters or objects. It’s a fantastic way for kids to train their creative thinking skills, and for adults to playfully loosen up their drawing hand.

This challenge in this shape drawing book for kids is especially fun because there’s no right or wrong answer. The only rule is: use the shape! It can be flipped, rotated, stretched, or twisted, but that shape has to be visible in the final character or object you create. It’s part puzzle, part art challenge, and all fun.


The Shape Drawing Book for Kids

If you and your kids are enjoying the videos, the good news is: there’s a whole book based on this idea. The Shape Drawing Challenge book is a companion to the video series and packed with even more inspiration. It includes 16 different shapes with enough drawing pages for you to draw up to 480 different things and characters!

This Shape Drawing Book for Kids is designed to spark creativity and boost confidence. It’s especially great for kids who love to draw but sometimes get stuck wondering what to draw. With a shape already on the page, it gives them a starting point—and from there, the possibilities are endless.

Whether they draw a robot, a slice of pizza, or a sleepy dragon, they’ll be flexing their imagination with every page. Some shapes are easy, some are challenging, but each one is designed to kickstart the creative process.


What Makes This Book Special?

As with all of my drawing books, the art in this book is hand-drawn by me—Kevin Coulston. I wanted the book to feel playful, imaginative, and inviting, so every page was created with young artists in mind. The prompts are open-ended, and kids can interpret them however they want.

The pages are large and printed with bold, clear shapes. There’s room to sketch, doodle, and let your ideas run wild. And since there are no instructions telling kids what to draw, it’s a pure creativity booster.

Here’s why this Shape Drawing Book for Kids is a favorite:

  • It inspires storytelling: What kind of creature is that weird shape turning into?
  • It builds confidence: There’s no wrong way to complete a page.
  • It’s screen-free fun: All you need is a pencil, some imagination, and the book.
  • It’s great for solo or group use: Perfect for quiet time, classroom activities, or family drawing night.

Get The Book!


The Series

The Shape Drawing Challenge book is part of a growing family of creative drawing activity books I’ve designed for kids ages 5 and up. While some of my other series—like How to Draw, Trace Then Color, and Draw by Grid—focus on step-by-step skill-building, this one is more about wild creativity and less about perfect results.

It’s great as a warm-up before a more structured drawing session or as a fun, low-pressure way to practice drawing when you’re just getting started.


Try It Yourself

If you haven’t already watched the video, give it a look with your kids. Grab a pencil and see what kinds of characters you can create from a single shape. After you’re done, grab the book and keep the creativity going with even more shapes and surprises.

The Shape Drawing Challenge is one of the most flexible and fun drawing exercises I’ve ever made. It gets you drawing without overthinking, and every page can lead to something totally unexpected.

So sharpen your pencils, open your mind, and start sketching. The next silly monster or space dog might be hiding inside that weird little squiggle.

Get this shape drawing book for kids and more at FirstArtBooks.com

Get Started Today

 

Meet The Author & Artist

Kevin Coulston is a children’s book author, illustrator, cartoonist, and member of the National Cartoonists Society. Over the course of his career, he has published more than 100 books, including instructional drawing books, activity books, comics, graphic novels, and children’s picture books.

His popular How to Draw, Trace Then Color, and Draw by Grid series have helped thousands of aspiring young artists learn to draw through simple, approachable lessons featuring hundreds of Kevin’s original cartoon characters.

Kevin is also the creator of the comic series Dylan McVillain and The Adventures of a 4th Grade Space Captain, as well as the children’s picture book series Alexis and the T-Rexes. In addition to his publishing work, Kevin created, wrote, illustrated, and animated the web series Bad Jokes with Ugly Folks, starring legendary voice actors Rob Paulsen and Tara Strong.

Kevin believes anyone can learn to draw—and that learning is a lot more fun when the characters you’re drawing are weird, silly, and just a little ridiculous.

What Our Customers Are Saying

“The author really does a great job demonstrating how easy (and rewarding!) it can be to draw seemingly ordinary things you (and your little ones!) may feel too intimidated to try drawing without the step-by-step guide! Putting already-known shapes together and making something new and original is a fantastic way to learn! And recognizing that you can add your own twists and personality to your drawings makes all the difference. I think it’s a fun, original approach to building confidence for a lifelong hobby. I have the ebook copy, and can only imagine how great a physical copy would be!”

– Daenarah [Amazon Review]

“There are several of these fun books by this author. My kids and I have had a lot of fun with these. It’s a great activity to do as a family and see how they all turn out. Almost like a sip and paint but more of a juice box and draw.”

– Allison B. [Amazon Review]

My kids can’t wait to start drawing these monsters in their illustrations! The many different moods of the monsters appeal to their different personalities. We love the many options, styles, and opportunities to expand upon the characters. Recommended for all ages!

– Kasey [Amazon Review]

“Kevin has put out many books on drawing and animation, and has such a great feel for HOW to explain the process. His art is so expressive and kid-friendly, but his real strength is in his ability to really explain and show how it’s done, making it accessible to kids and adults. I’m a firm believer that not everyone who “can do” can teach, but Kevin does both beautifully! Pick this up and watch kids have a blast making robots of all sorts, while learning great fundamental art skills at the same time!”

– Tom R. [Amazon Review]

“My 5yo LOVES this book! The drawings are cute and the instructions are easy to follow along with. She gets a kick out of drawing muffin monsters and ketchup monsters and it actually keeps her pretty focused for long periods of time.”

– Monica [Amazon Review]

“This is a fantastic book for kids who love art, cartoons, comic books, or just having fun! There are a lot of characters to choose from, and really easy step-by-step instructions to follow. You child will have a blast drawing these fun, silly characters! And just in time for Easter baskets!”

– Bestmomever [Amazon Review]

“This is a very good book for kids that want to learn to draw, my sons love it and Kevin does a great job of making drawing fun and not intimidating. Highly recommended for the long summer hours!”

– David D. [Amazon Review]

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