How to Draw Calvin and Hobbes

Set up your area for drawing., Mark a general outline lightly for both Calvin and Hobbes., Add more distinct shapes., Draw two parallel vertical lines for the trunk portion of his body, with stubby arms and legs., Draw two ovals near the center of...

36 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Set up your area for drawing.

Put your paper on a comfortable surface to draw on, in a well-lit location, get out your pencil, and put your imagination to work.

Step 2: Mark a general outline lightly for both Calvin and Hobbes.

Their shape could be generally described as rectangular with curved corners, Hobbes being more elongated (he is taller than Calvin), Calvin being almost box-like. , Draw a rough circular shape for Calvin's head, making sure the line across the top is very light, since when you make the slash like lines for his hair, this guideline will be erased or drawn over. , Defining individual fingers and toes is not needed, since we are drawing cartoon characters. , He often keeps his eyes in a rolled expression, so putting them off-center but pointed in the same direction will make him look more natural. , Underneath this, you can make a short slash mark (-) for his mouth, curving up for a smile, or down for a frown, depending on whether he has gotten the best of Hobbes, or Hobbes has gotten the best of him. , You can exaggerate the size of his shoes, which appear to be almost directly connected to his butt, since his legs are disproportionately short. ,,,,, These stripes do not cross Hobbes's stomach, since it is white, do cover his forelegs (or arms, if you prefer) and back. ,, Place them in ferocious (or frightened) poses.

These are two cartoon characters who are seldom found idling away an afternoon.

Step 3: Add more distinct shapes.

Step 4: Draw two parallel vertical lines for the trunk portion of his body

Step 5: with stubby arms and legs.

Step 6: Draw two ovals near the center of Calvin's face

Step 7: with the edges touching

Step 8: for his eyes

Step 9: then add smaller circles for his pupils.

Step 10: Make a sharply curved "C" shape for his nose

Step 11: very close below the ovals you have drawn for his eyes.

Step 12: Define Calvin's clothing by making horizontal stripes on his shirt (his typical attire

Step 13: though it varies)

Step 14: and putting legs on his trousers

Step 15: which are usually black.

Step 16: Draw Hobbes's head an almost round oval

Step 17: remembering he will have tufts of tiger fur about his chin

Step 18: so make this area very light so it will be easy to remove or hide later when you define this feature.

Step 19: Place two "C"s on top of his head for ears

Step 20: and make his nose an oval laying on its side near the bottom of the oval you have drawn for his head.

Step 21: Place two small

Step 22: black circles (his beady little eyes) closely spaced just below the center of the oval which you have drawn for his head.

Step 23: Draw shoulders just slightly wider than Hobbes's head then make his torso long and slender

Step 24: ending it with two very short legs

Step 25: with paws made from two more oval shapes at their ends.

Step 26: Make a long

Step 27: snakelike tail

Step 28: curving almost randomly or "hooked" behind his back

Step 29: then add vertical stripes penciled in black down it

Step 30: as well as around his legs.

Step 31: Make the fuzzy

Step 32: or fur-like dash lines around Hobbes's chin

Step 33: a bit wider than the oval of his head

Step 34: and dimple the line of his lower chin below his mouth to give it a catlike shape.

Step 35: Erase the sketch lines and use extreme expressions on both Calvin and Hobbes

Step 36: since they are very emotional characters.

Detailed Guide