Home » Cartoon Characters » Hey Arnold! » How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold!

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold!

Within the animated corridors of the beloved TV series, Hey Arnold!, Gerald Martin Johanssen shines as the deuteragonist. As Arnold’s loyal best friend and Phoebe’s boyfriend, Gerald has charmed audiences with his cool, friendly, and easygoing demeanor. As the voice of reason among the fourth graders, he beautifully contrasts Arnold’s eternally optimistic perspective, making him an integral part of the series.

Features to Focus on When Drawing Gerald

  • Heritage: Being of African American descent, Gerald’s features should reflect this background.
  • Hi-top Fade: Gerald’s iconic haircut, which Helga teasingly refers to as “Tall Hair Boy”.
  • Attire: A striking red shirt with the number 33. This was “3” when he was younger. Paired with blue jeans and red and white high-top sneakers.
  • Personality: Often seen as cool and composed, capturing Gerald’s relaxed posture and friendly demeanor can make your sketch more authentic.

Understanding Our Drawing Guide

Our tutorial consists of 9 in-depth steps to help you sketch Gerald with precision. The guide uses a unique color-coding system to make the process intuitive:

  • Red Color: Highlights the current step in your drawing journey.
  • Black Color: Denotes the lines you’ve drawn in the prior steps.
  • Grey Color: Shows the basic structure or proportion sketch. Remember to use light pencil strokes for this foundational stage.

The journey begins with crafting a basic structure to ensure accurate proportions. Once the sketching is done, artists have the option of inking their drawing. It’s essential to let the ink dry before gently erasing the pencil lines to prevent smudging.

Step 01

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold! - step 01

Step 02

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold! - step 02

Step 03

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold! - step 03

Step 04

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold! - step 04

Step 05

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold! - step 05

Step 06

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold! - step 06

Step 07

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold! - step 07

Step 08

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold! - step 08

Step 09

How to draw Gerald | Hey Arnold

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best technique for drawing Gerald’s hi-top fade?

To capture Gerald’s hi-top fade, start with a rectangular shape and slightly round the corners. Ensure it’s proportionate to his head and then add the curly outline. To finish, fill in this hair shape with black color.

How can I accurately sketch Gerald’s outfit?

Gerald’s outfit consists of a red shirt with the number 33 and blue jeans. Begin with the shirt, ensuring it falls naturally on his body. Add the number clearly. For the jeans, ensure they’re slightly baggy, reflecting the ’90s style, and finish with his red and white sneakers.

Any tips on capturing his friendly and easygoing posture?

To convey Gerald’s personality, focus on his posture. Keep his shoulders relaxed and slightly slouched. His facial expression should be welcoming with a soft smile and relaxed eyebrows. Using references from the series can also be beneficial.

Learning how to draw Gerald can be a nostalgic and fun journey. If you’ve found value in this guide, consider sharing the link with others, be it on social media or any other platform. By spreading the word, you help more budding artists master their skills. If you wish to see more of such tutorials, consider supporting the SketchOk project. Donations play a crucial role in ensuring we provide free, quality drawing guides. By contributing, you can even suggest ideas for new tutorials, making the drawing community richer and more varied.

Donate | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Did you like the tutorial?

You can support the author of this website and also suggest your own ideas for new drawings by making a small donation here:

Leave a Comment