Who doesn’t recognize Felix the Cat, the jovial black feline with a giant grin that won hearts worldwide? In this guide, we’ll help you explore your artistic side by teaching you how to draw Felix the Cat, one of the most beloved cartoon characters ever created.
Felix the Cat: A Brief Sketch
Felix, the brainchild of Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer, was brought to life during the silent film era in 1919. Recognizable by his anthropomorphic young black body, white eyes, and that unmistakable big grin, Felix quickly secured his spot as one of the most recognized cartoon characters in film history. As the first fully realized animal character in American film animation, Felix truly is a piece of cartoon history.
If you’re a fan of vintage cartoons, why not add characters like Mickey Mouse and Betty Boop to your sketch portfolio too? Their unique designs, just like Felix, can offer you an exciting challenge and help you hone your drawing skills even further!
Guiding the Way: About This Drawing Guide
This guide is designed to make the process of drawing Felix as enjoyable and intuitive as possible. Here’s what you need to know:
- Red Color: This signifies the current drawing step. This is where your pencil should be working!
- Black Color: These are the lines you’ve previously drawn. It gives you a sense of your progress and where to head next.
- Grey Color: This represents the basic sketch. Think of it as your roadmap through the entire drawing process.
The tutorial consists of 12 steps, starting with the basic sketch. Once the sketch is done, you can choose to ink it. Remember, always wait for the ink to dry before gently erasing the pencil sketch to prevent any smudging.
One thing I always find interesting about learning how to draw Felix the Cat is seeing how differently people interpret him, since his design has been redrawn by so many artists over the decades and everyone picks up on slightly different details. Drop your version in the comments on the pinned Pinterest post and see how it stacks up against what others have come up with. If you want a steady stream of new guides, the signup form at the top of the page sends a weekly digest straight to your inbox.