If you’re part of a family that’s crazy about cats, you’ve landed in the right spot. I’ve curated a delightful assortment of cat designs that are sure to captivate your attention. The best part? These ideas are surprisingly easy to execute! As you or someone you know embarks on bringing these feline friends to life through drawing, here’s a helpful tip: start with the outline and let the proportions guide you before moving on to the finer details.
I personally prefer starting with the head and then working my way down the page. This approach ensures that your drawing remains balanced and visually appealing. Before we dive into the list of cat designs, if you’re curious about the tools I used to bring my mischievous tabby gang to life, feel free to take a peek at the materials below: this notebook, these pens, these markers, and these paint pens. They were instrumental in helping me complete this project!
One final tip before we begin: start with a light pencil sketch and build upon it with ink. This approach worked wonders for me when I was first learning to draw cats. So go ahead, take a load off, and indulge in a lazy cat afternoon while you try your paw at bringing some of these adorable felines to life.
Watch: How to Draw Cats
Cuddly Cat
Start by gently placing a soft, circular mark on your paper. As the foundation for this delightful sketch, let’s add the charming details beyond the circle. Define the whimsical features that bring the sweet kitty to life – from the fluffy tail and headpiece to the tantalizing ball of yarn in her paws. If you’re a true feline aficionado, these adorable cat crafts will surely captivate your heart!
Minimal face of a cat
The power of perspective in drawing lies in its ability to completely transform an image, much like how adding a background or leaving it blank can alter the essence of my cat face example. The process begins with identifying a central point, such as the bridge of the nose, from which one works outward in equal measure. If you’re fond of creating adorable little creatures like this one, I encourage you to explore more cute animal drawings for inspiration!
Yoga cat
When creating a whimsical cat illustration, it’s easy to draw inspiration from real-life feline poses. To get started, consider beginning with an inverted ‘C’ shape for the body, followed by the addition of legs, head, and tail. Finally, don’t forget to include the ground line to give your illustration depth and dimension.
Cat & The Fly
Feline fascination is palpable in even the simplest of sketches. The natural hunter’s gaze remains fixed on its quarry, betraying a primal instinct to pounce on unsuspecting prey. This subtle attention to detail reveals the cat’s innate hunting prowess, making it a compelling subject for artists seeking to capture its essence.
Thoughtful cat
While the concept may seem deceptively straightforward, capturing a cat’s contemplative moment can be an effortless exercise for artists. The simplicity of its physical appearance and facial expression makes it a breeze to draw multiple iterations without expending too much creative energy.
Silhouette cat
Our household has a special fondness for stencils. I decided to take on the challenge of creating a freehand-inspired stencil drawing and was thrilled with the outcome! The key to starting this project was figuring out where to begin – I started with the curvy cheek line, then followed the natural flow of lines to bring my design to life.
Cat in love
The epitome of felinity can be seen in cats that exude an aura of unadulterated joy, as if their very whiskers could radiate a warm glow. To fully appreciate this feline’s effervescent demeanor, begin by focusing on the space between its ears and gradually move outward and downward to encompass the entirety of its being.
Sleepy cat
The tranquility of a snoozing cat is truly captivating. When rendering this adorable scene, begin by focusing on the area around the ears, ensuring the head is fully completed before proceeding to the rest of the feline’s body.
Happy Cat
This charming little one exudes serenity, with only a subtle line distinguishing their ears from the rest of their face. When creating such whimsical designs, I recommend starting with the head, then moving on to the torso before filling in the tail as the final touch. If you’re inclined towards freehand art, you might enjoy exploring these simple yet delightful doodle patterns.
Hungry cat
The joy of watching an animal savor a special treat is unmatched. I deliberately crafted soft and playful lines to amplify that delight in this adorable cat’s snacking escapade. The experience can be further enhanced by getting creative with different snacks! To bring this scene to life, start by drawing the left ear and work your way down to the left paw, creating a whimsical candy cane shape for each foot. Then, simply follow the pen along each foot and back up again.
Cat in motion
In the spirit of nostalgia, let’s take a trip down memory lane to the iconic cat-and-mouse duo, Tom and Jerry. For those who share this fondness, it’s only fitting that they make an appearance on this list. Their timeless rivalry is reminiscent of other classic pairings like peanut butter and jelly or salt and pepper – a match made in heaven!
As I brought this feline friend to life, I began by crafting the body in a boomerang shape, followed by adding the head and finally, detailing the rest of the features. If you’re inspired by this whimsical doodle, be sure to explore more ideas for your next creative project.
Disgruntled cat
While it’s unlikely you’re familiar with these felines, those who are might have some fascinating tales to share about how they reached this point. The disgruntled cat’s sole advice is not to stress over achieving the perfect ear angle. After all, a cat feeling this way will often display unpredictable ear positions, ensuring it looks stunning regardless of its placement on your page.
Hungry cat
As we gaze at certain images, our minds often wander back to personal experiences – a phenomenon that’s perhaps most pronounced when it comes to pets. The mere sight of a hungry cat, for instance, can instantly transport us to memories of our own feline friends. Perhaps the thought of your pet is triggered by the image, and you find yourself smiling at the memory of their antics or quirks.
Regardless of whether your pet’s personality is as endearing as the one depicted here, the act of drawing them from scratch can be a therapeutic experience in its own right. By starting with the face and cheeks, we’re able to achieve a sense of balance and harmony in our representation of this beloved animal.
Curious cat
The familiar encounter is one many of us share when meeting a new feline friend. Typically, these chance meetings occur in urban settings while running daily errands, with the cat seeking affection or sustenance. When drawing another cat that doesn’t start with the head, I’d begin by crafting the front legs, torso, back legs, and body just below the highest point of its chest.
Loved cat
When it comes to cats, there’s no denying that exposing their belly is a classic sign of comfort and affection. As we delve into the world of feline behavior, this natural inclination takes center stage. The subtle cues in the way a cat’s body language shifts when they’re feeling relaxed and at ease can be telling indicators of their emotional state.
In particular, observing the soft lines or slight unevenness on a cat’s belly can reveal how much they’re truly appreciating a moment of connection.
Fat cat
While big cats may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I have a special spot in my heart for these gentle giants. In fact, during my time volunteering at a local cat shelter, one of my favorite felines was a stunning specimen named King, who tipped the scales at around 20-30 pounds! His massive size and loving personality made him an instant hit with me.
To bring this majestic creature to life, start by sketching out a rough outline of the shape.
Don’t worry too much about proportions at this stage; just get a sense of where all the key features will be placed.
Once you have your basic shape in place, go back and add the finer details to each side of the cat. With patience and practice, you’ll soon be creating adorable felines that will purr-fectly capture the hearts of cat lovers everywhere.
Outer space cat
While imagining a cat in space might be a stretch for our feline friends, it’s certainly an amusing concept to bring to life through art. Feel free to experiment with different facial expressions – I opted for a sassy ‘cattitude’ to give this astronaut kitty some personality. When starting your drawing, begin by capturing the head and helmet or the body, then revisit and complete the other part of the body.
It might feel unnatural at first, but the line where the helmet meets the cat’s head will ultimately help define the proportions once the piece is finished.
Hanging in there cat
This whimsical illustration of a cat grasping a page is both humorous and relatable. Who hasn’t been scolded by their furry friend for doing something they shouldn’t? The simple lines used to create this scene actually add depth to the composition, with the tail extending down towards the floor in a clever way.
To achieve this effect, I suggest approaching the drawing as if you’re creating a capital letter ‘J’ or ‘T’, but instead of following the traditional curved shape, angle the bottom to guide the tail downwards. This subtle adjustment can make all the difference in capturing the cat’s playful yet mischievous nature.
Kitten in a stocking
The adorable kitten design is inspired by miniature creatures finding cozy spaces. Envision tiny animals snugly nestled in teacups, stockings, or other compact containers. When bringing this whimsical design to life, feel free to add your personal touch – a unique theme, vibrant colors, or creative flair! Begin with the stocking and gradually work your way up to create a delightful head, allowing your imagination to run wild.
Bookstore or literary cat
The ambiance of a public bookshop or library is often elevated by the presence of a curious cat. For many, spotting a feline friend amidst the shelves can add a touch of wholesomeness to their shopping experience. Whether depicted lounging on a bookshelf or engaged in studious pursuits, a well-rendered cat can bring a smile to one’s face.
When drawing such a feline character, consider starting with a downward-facing ‘3’ shape for the body, and then adding the tail and ears to complete the design.
Angry cat
Drawing this last feline friend may evoke memories of a famous internet sensation with a similar name. I must confess that his iconic status inspired me, and a nod to him is in order – RIP. In contrast to its infamous counterpart, however, this angry cat’s demeanor shouldn’t be misconstrued as perpetual anger. In fact, it’s one of the most straightforward and uncomplicated subjects on this list.
Begin by sketching the top half of the head, rounding out the features before moving down to define the shoulders. This design is surprisingly easy to bring to life, and I’m confident you’ll find satisfaction in its creation.
