How to Draw a Cartoon Wolf

Cartoon wolf drawing

Drawing a cartoon wolf is helpful because it gives you some insight as to how other animals with similar properties should be drawn.

After you learn how to draw wolves in this lesson, then if will be easier to draw other animals that have similar structures. What kinds of other animals? Well, let's give it some thought...

Drawing dogs will be easier because they have a framework that is very similar to a wolf's. After all, a wolf is canine... they look very similar to huskies. But the list doesn't stop at just "dogs". Other animals such as jackals, coyotes, wolverines, hyenas, and dingos are all of similar structure.

So then, do focus on the cartoon wolf in this lesson as that is indeed what we're drawing here. But at the same time, see if you can picture other animals of similar form. Later, you can even try drawing these other animals from a real photo.

Alright, let's get going with the lesson...

Framework for drawing a cartoon wolf

First Step - A Framework for Your Wolf

Start off your cartoon wolf by drawing three circles just like I've done. Actually, it's the top one that is a circle while the bottom two are ovals.

Each of these shapes - the circle and the two ovals, represent the three core parts of the wolf's body... the head, the chest, and the behind. Because it's a cartoon, and because the wolf is sitting... this arrangement of shapes is much more simple in nature.

Now, what about those lines between the shapes? Well, it's these lines extending right through the tail that are actually the spine of your cartoon wolf. Draw them in to connect each shape and to serve as a "line of action" for your drawing.

Now one other thing to do is draw the snout. The snout is a distinct feature. Draw it as a circle located within the circle at the top that makes up the head of your wolf. Draw it so that it's off-centered, positioned down and to the right slightly.

All is good then? OK, let's move on and draw in a few more guidelines...

Completing the framework of the cartoon wolf

Second Step - Extra Guidelines

With the framework well on the way, there are still a few extra things to include. Take a look at the image to the right to see what I mean.

First, draw crosses over each of the three main shapes. In doing so, it will be much easier to keep things aligned. They help you by creating a centerline to work from, which helps to maintain symmetry if and when you need to.

There are also a few more distinct features that need to be added to the face of your wolf - eyes, ears and nose. Go ahead and lightly sketch them in similar to how I've done. Ensure that the nose is positioned more over to the right. This shows that the head is slightly turned to the left (your right).

For the legs, I decided to switch over to a bright green. Because the wolf is turned slightly to the left, you only need to draw one of the back legs. Draw the two front legs as simple straight lines and make them symmetrical.

OK, looking good! Now on to the actual drawing...

Third Step - Develop the Face of Your Cartoon Wolf

Now that you have an excellent framework to create your cartoon wolf, you can go ahead and begin the actual drawing. Take your time from this point forward as from now on, each line is permanent!

Beginning with the eyes, slowly develop the face of your wolf. Use the following example to help you...

Drawing the eyes of the cartoon wolf Drawing the snout of the cartoon wolf Drawing the face of the cartoon wolf Drawing the ears of the cartoon wolf Drawing the sides of the wolf's head Completing the head of the cartoon wolf

Broken down into six simple steps, you can easily see how the face of the cartoon wolf comes to be. An important thing to note... starting from the center and then working your way out from there is a very effective way of developing the face. There is much less room for error if you tackle your cartoon wolf in this way!

Surely, you will have some ideas of your own as to how your drawing will look. And as we're very much aware... that's the beauty of drawing! Being creative and original!

On to the body...

Fourth Step - Draw the Body of Your Cartoon Wolf

Well, now that the head is in place, go ahead and draw the body of your wolf much in the same way. Use the framework as your guide, but be sure to deviate from it where and when you need to. Once again, take your time and be creative!

In three simple steps, here's how I tackled my cartoon wolf...

Drawing the body of the cartoon wolf Drawing the front legs of the cartoon wolf Drawing the back legs and tail of the wolf

Once the head is in place, move on down with the neck. After that, move down to the bottom and draw the stomach area. This paves way for the two front legs to come next. A funny thing I noticed... I gave my wolf a bit of a "pot belly". Not very wolf-like is it! But then again, being a cartoon wolf... it's A-OK. :-)

Naturally then, the next thing to do is draw in the front legs. Use the cross as well as the green lines to help you. After that, draw a couple curved lines - one for the back, the other to complete the stomach. The rest is pretty straight-forward... back legs and then the tail.

When you're all finished, you'll have something like this...

Drawing of a cartoon wolf

Final Step - Your Finished Cartoon Wolf

Keeping your lines nice and light in the beginning makes the final step all the more rewarding. Erase them to reveal the permanent black lines that compose your cartoon wolf.

Looks much different without all the shapes and lines underneath, doesn't it!

What next? How about some color? Wolves actually can be colored a number of different ways. They come in grey, brown, white... and the colors occur in different patterns too. As you can see in the finished example up top, I had lots of fun with this!

I recommend you take a look at a photograph of a real wolf. This will give you some great ideas as to how you should color yours. The possibilities are endless.

And so, that's it for this lesson. Good job and see you next time for another lesson!