Use the step-by-step instructions below to learn how to draw a kitten sitting down. Follow along with the video, or use the images in this article. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a completed drawing of this adorable animal!

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To draw this kitten step by step, follow along with the video tutorial below and pause the video after each step to go at your own pace. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step images below the video. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods.

Materials You'll Need Before starting, gather these basic drawing supplies from Blick Art Materials. If you choose to purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Pencils (an HB lead pencil is best for light sketches)	Kneaded Eraser	Drawing Paper

Step 1: Create the Initial Pencil Sketch

Head Guides

• Circle Guide: Start by sketching a circle to establish the size of the head. To create a circle, mark the desired height and width. Then connect those marks with light, curved lines. If you have trouble drawing freehand circles, feel free to trace the edge of a circular object, such as a lid or cup.
• Facial Construction Lines: Draw a diagonal line straight across the circle to determine the tilt of your kitten's head. Add a curved horizontal line to cross the diagonal, making an X-like shape. Finally, sketch a small circle on the lower section of the main head shape to act as a guide for the muzzle. Keep your lines light so they can easily be erased later.
• Ear Triangles: Place two triangular shapes on top of the head for the ears, positioning them on opposite sides of your diagonal center line. Keep in mind that due to the tilt of the head, the ear on the right side should sit higher than the left one.

Upper Body Guide

• Body Circle: Just below the head, create another circle for the upper body. Make this shape slightly smaller than the head circle.
• Placement: Do not let this new shape overlap with the head.
• Center Line: Draw a straight vertical line right down the middle to cut the body circle in half.

Lower Body and Tail

• Legs: Extend two long vertical lines downward from the chest circle to establish the inner borders of the front legs. Take a moment to check that their length is well-proportioned against the rest of the body frame. Add two matching outer lines, giving them a slight inward tilt as they go down.
• Paws: Close the bottom of the leg lines with brief horizontal strokes, and curve the tops so each foot looks like a half-circle.
• Lower Body: Outline the outer core of the lower body with long, curving sweeps, making the bottom base wider than the top.
• Tail: Draw an upward-curving line on the right side to determine the path of the tail.

Step 2: Draw the Facial Features

Now begin adding the details to your drawing.

• Eyes: Lightly sketch two large circular eyes resting directly above the muzzle line, placed evenly on both sides of the diagonal guide. When you are pleased with the proportions, darken the outer rims with thick, deep pencil lines. Add sharp, downward-pointing strokes on the inside corners toward the nose. Inside the eyes, include tiny circles for highlights and short, bold slits for the pupils.
• Nose: Position a small triangle inside the muzzle, keeping the top flat and parallel to your horizontal guide. Darken it with a subtle wavy line on top, add small curved nostrils, and taper the bottom into a sharp point.
• Mouth and Chin: Form an upside-down V shape just below the nose for the mouth.
• Muzzle Texture: Outline the checks and chin using brief, feathered pencil strokes to hint at a soft, furry texture.

Head Definition

• Ears: Darken the primary ear shapes on top of the head. Use a dense row of short, jagged strokes across the bottom rim to show the fluffy base where the ear meets the crown. Sketch a couple of quick internal lines to represent the inner ear flaps and openings. Repeat this exact process for the opposite ear.
• Wider Cheeks: Follow the circular boundary of your initial head guide. Expand the cheeks slightly outward to give the kitten a rounder appearance.
• Textured Edges: Use broken, short, and angled pencil strokes all along the face profile to simulate realistic fur. Add a few small tufts inside the head area as well.

Step 3: Sketch in the Body

Now it's time to add details on the rest of the kitten's body.

• Legs: Follow your existing leg guidelines on the bottom left to finalize the first limb. Apply a steady series of fine, feathered strokes to build up a soft texture. Darken the rounded paw outline at the base, adding a few tiny interior lines to separate the individual toes. Follow the exact same routine for the front leg on the right side.
• Body: Finalize the outer margins of the body using short, sketchy movements. Fill out the shoulders so they look slightly wider than your initial construction circle.

• Hind Paws: Tuck a couple of small, curved lines near the bottom base to suggest the visible edges of the hind feet, complete with toe divisions.
• Fluffy Tail: Trace the tail guide and draw a matching parallel curve next to it to add realistic thickness.

Step 4: Prepare Your Drawing for Shading

With your eraser, gently remove underlying construction lines to neaten up the sketch. If you accidentally erase any important details, go back over them with your pencil. If you want your drawing to resemble a solid white kitten, stop here and simply place a few soft, faint shadows under the chin and paws.

Step 5: Shade Your Drawing

To draw a kitten with a tabby coat pattern, keep following these steps!

• Stripes: Use a dark tone to block out classic tabby stripes running along the forehead, cheeks, back, and legs. Start with light pressure and build up density.
• White Patches: Leave the lower half of the muzzle and much of the chest blank to indicate clean white fur. Use small, angled strokes on the chest to show depth in the fur clumps.
• Midtones and Eyes: Apply a smooth midtone value across the remaining areas of the body, working your pencil strokes in the natural direction of coat growth. Fill the eyes with a medium tone while leaving the tiny highlight circles bright white. Conclude your piece with a soft cast shadow on the ground to give the kitten weight and dimension.

Step 6: Keep Working On the Coat

Keep adding value across the kitten's body, making sure that your pencil strokes follow the direction of fur growth. If you have a pet cat, try to duplicate its coat pattern on your drawing. Take your time and stay patient as you create the pattern.

Step 7: Add Final Details

To have your kitten pop against the background, add a darker outline to your kitten. Add the deepest shadows inside the ear layers, around the contours of the paws, and underneath the belly. Finally, finish up your sitting kitten illustration by softening the wide cast shadow directly underneath the feet to balance out the overall lighting. Clear up any lingering smudges outside your drawing perimeter with a clean eraser. Step back, adjust any light patches or gradients to your preferred look, and enjoy your completed cat sketch!

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