Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Cat (Siamese)" video after each step to draw at your own pace.

 

Time-Lapse (Speed Drawing) video:

 

Written step-by-step video tutorial:

 

For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.

 

Step 1: Draw two circles as guides for the first part of the Siamese cat's body. First draw four small marks for the height and width of the circle, then connect the marks using curved lines. Sketch lightly at first so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake. But the circles don't have to be perfect. They're just guides.

If you do want a perfect circle, trace the outer rim of a coin, a bottle cap or any other object with a circular edge. The circle on the left should be a bit bigger than the one on the right. Leave enough room on the sides for the Siamese cat's head, tail and limbs. Don't draw the circles too far apart, otherwise your cat will end up too long.

 

Step 2: Draw another circle on the top, right side as a guide for the Siamese cat's head. This circle should be slightly smaller than the first circle. The edge of this circle should touch the edge of the first circle. Don't place this circle directly on top of the body. It should be closer to the right side.

 

Step 3: Draw a curved horizontal line across the head. This is a construction line that will help you place the Siamese cat's facial features later. Add a curved vertical line on the top right side of the head for another construction line.

 

Step 4: Draw a small circle on the lower, right side of the head as a guide for the muzzle. This small circle should fit between the horizontal construction line and the lower edge of the cat's head.

 

Step 5: Draw two triangle-like shapes on top of the head as guides for the ears. Siamese cats have pretty big ears, so don't draw these shapes too small.

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Step 6: Draw four lines under the body (two below each circle) as guides for the Siamese's legs. The first leg should bend a bit at the middle to indicate where the joints will be and at the bottom for the foot. The second front leg should have a diagonal orientation and bend a bit at the tip to indicate where the cat's foot will be. The line for the hind leg should start off diagonal at the top, then bend in the middle and go straight down and bend again at the tip. The guide line for the other hind leg should bend closer to the top and at the tip at the bottom.

 

Step 7: Draw a series of curved lines that connect the major shapes to complete the guide for the Siamese cat's body. First draw two curved lines on the right that connect the two large circles on the right to create the guide for the neck. Then add two more lines in the middle that connect the main circles to create the guide for the torso. Draw a long line on the left side of the body as a guide for the cat's tail.

 

That's it for the initial sketch! From this point on, press harder with your pencil to get a more defined sketch.

 

Step 8: Lightly sketch the eyes inside the head as two small ovals. Use the initial lines as guides for placement. As you sketch the oval on the right, give it a slight diagonal orientation. When you get the placement and shape of the Siamese cat's eyes right, darken the lines. Draw a point on the upper left side for the corner of the eye. Darken the outer edge of the eye on the right as well. Because of the angle of the cat's head, this eye will be slightly slanted.

Add a dark section on the lower right side of the eye on the left to further shape the eye. Draw a line under the eye so that the shape comes to a point on the lower right side. Draw a line around the eye on the right to give the shape two corners on the sides as well. Inside each eye, off to the side, draw a tiny circle to represent glare. Draw a thin oval in the middle of the eye and shade it in for the slited pupil. Draw the same shape in the cat's other eye as well.

Shade the inside of each eye to give the iris some value. As you shade the cat's irises, use a value that's a lot lighter than the pupils. Draw a few small lines above the eyes to represent fur. Use quick, short strokes to give the fur a more fuzzy texture.

 

Step 9: Draw the Siamese cat's nose inside the muzzle by first lightly sketching a small triangle. Place the triangle near the middle of the circle but close to the right edge. When you get the placement of the triangle right, darken the lines. Use a wavy line for the top side.

Curve the left side of the triangle as you darken the line to create the first nostril. Do the same thing on the right side to create the other nostril. Add a small vertical line at the bottom. Draw a series of lines above the nose to create the bridge of the nose. Use quick, short strokes at the top to create a furry texture.

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Step 10: Add the muzzle by first drawing a short line under the nose. Then draw the line splitting to the sides to form the cat's top lip. Use a series of quick, short strokes to the left that follow the path of the initial circle for the left side of the muzzle. Follow the right side of the initial circle as you draw quick, short strokes for the other side of the muzzle. Now follow the basic path of the lower edge of the circle to draw the chin. Use quick, short strokes to create a furry texture.

 

Step 11: Use the triangle-like shapes on the head as guides to draw the Siamese cat's ears. Darken the basic shape but make the tips a little shorter and rounder. The base of the ears should extend to the inside of the head past the edge of the main circle. Draw a series of quick, short strokes inside the ears for the fur found there. Draw a few curved lines within the shape as well to give the ear internal structure.

 

Step 12: Use the main circle as a guide to draw the rest of the cat's head. Use quick, short strokes as you follow the basic path of the circle to create the furry head. When you draw the right side, dip the line in toward the muzzle to make the Siamese's head leaner. Draw the lower, left side of the head closer to the muzzle as well. Add some quick, short strokes on the left side of the head too.

 

Step 13: Use the second line from the right under the body as a guide to draw the front leg that's on this side. Follow the basic path of the guide and lightly sketch the shape of the Siamese cat's leg around it. When you get the shape of the leg right, darken the lines using quick, short strokes to represent the fur. Add a couple of short, curved lines at the tip of the foot to separate each individual toe. Bend the shape near the bottom and at the top to indicate the joints in the leg.

 

Step 14: Use the line on the far right side as a guide to draw the other front leg the same way. Sketch the shape of the leg lightly as you follow the path of the guide. The top part should be wider than the bottom. This leg shouldn't bend. The cat is stepping forward, so the joints should be straight. Darken the lines using quick, short strokes when you get the structure of the leg right. The right line of the leg should stop just before it hits the guide for the neck.

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Step 15: Use the line on the far left side as a guide to draw the Siamese cat's first hind leg. Sketch the leg lightly as you follow the basic path of the guide and only darken the lines when you get the shape right. Draw the toes at the bottom using a couple of curved lines. Bend the leg near the middle to indicate the joint. Use quick, short strokes mainly on the top part of the leg. The top part should also be a lot thicker than the bottom.

 

Step 16: Use the remaining line under the body as a guide to draw the other hind leg. This leg should be bent more than the others. The joint should be close to the top. Separate the individual toes on the cat's feet using a couple of curved lines. The top part of the leg should be wider than the bottom.

 

Step 17: Use the remaining lines as guides to draw the rest of the Siamese cat's body. Simply darken the outer edges of the initial guides to create the shape of the body. Use quick, short strokes on the left and underside of the body to create shaggy fur. If you made your initial guides thinner or wider, now is the time to correct them to give your cat the proper body shape. Use the line on the left side as a guide to draw the tail. Use quick, short strokes along the guide to create the furry tail.

 

Step 18: For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of the guides. It's okay to leave some behind. Re-draw any final sketch lines you may have accidentally erased.

 

Final Step: Add some shading throughout your cat drawing to give it the distinct Siamese look. Use a dark value for outside of the ears and a lighter value for the inside. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value. Use a dark value for the face as well, including the nose. Use strokes that go in the general direction of the fur. Continue adding the dark value until the entire front part of the Siamese's face is covered.

Use a lighter value as you reach the top and sides of the head and the bottom part of the muzzle. Add a dark value to the tail too. Use vertical/diagonal strokes as you add the value to the tail. Use a dark value for the legs as well. The value should be light at the very top and gradually get dark. Continue adding the dark value to all four legs. Remember to use strokes that go along with the fur. In this case, mainly vertical strokes.

Now shade the rest of the Siamese cat's body using a light to medium value. You can also use this tutorial as a template for any cat and shade it how you want. Make it an all black cat, a white cat or any pattern you want! For the traditional Siamese look, cover the entire body with a medium value using horizontal strokes.

Add some shading to your Siamese cat drawing to give it more dimension and volume. Pick the direction of the light source when shading so that the shadows are consistent with it. The value of the shadows should be darker than the body but not as dark as the face or limbs. It's always a good idea to use reference as you draw.

Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the cat so it doesn't appear to be floating. Don't forget to pause the video after each step to draw at your own pace.

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