When it comes to iconic animated characters, Leonardo from Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stands out distinctly. A red-eared slider turned human-like hero, Leonardo’s story is not just of leadership but also of evolution, growth, and understanding. Today, my goal is to show you how to draw Leonardo from the basic structure to the detailed sketch.
Character’s Hallmarks: Getting Leo Right!
- Mutant Appearance: A unique mix of lime green skin, mustard yellow plastron, and green-blue carapace with a mesmerizing teal pattern.
- Facial Traits: Red crescent stripes over the eyes combined with piercing black eyes.
- Attire: Adorning a blue bandana, bluish-grey fingerless gloves, and knee-high toeless footwear, Leonardo makes a statement.
- Personality: Charismatic and cheerful, but with a layer of complexity that showcases his leadership and maturity.
If you’re looking to create a scene that captures the true Ninja Turtles’ spirit, consider adding other prominent characters like Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello. With their unique appearances and personalities, they complement Leonardo perfectly.
Unveiling the Sketch Guide
Our guide offers a systematic, 38-step process to sketching Leonardo from Rise of TMNT. To make your drawing journey seamless:
- Red Color: Marks the current step to guide your pencil’s path.
- Black Color: Represents the lines you’ve already carved in earlier steps.
- Grey Color: Denotes the basic proportionate sketch. Remember, light strokes are your best friend here.
With the first three steps, you will lay down the basic structure of the sketch. By the end, you have the option to ink your sketch. Once done, wait patiently for the ink to dry before erasing any pencil marks. This ensures a neat, clean final image.






































Now that you’ve worked through how to draw Leonardo, was he easier or harder than you expected? Those katanas and the shell details trip a lot of people up, so be honest with yourself about where you want to improve. Drop your version in the comments on the pinned Pinterest post and let the community know what TMNT character you’re planning to tackle next.