If you’re a fan of newspaper comic strips, you’ve probably encountered the hilarious misadventures of the loveable Great Dane named Marmaduke. This large and messy but endearing canine has won over readers worldwide since 1954. Now, you too can bring this character to life on your sketchpad! In this guide, we will walk you through how to draw Marmaduke in 11 easy steps.
Understanding Marmaduke’s Features
Marmaduke is a unique character with distinguishing features that set him apart from other cartoon dogs:
- Large size: Marmaduke is a Great Dane and thus is much larger than most dogs, measuring over 40 inches at the withers in the comics.
- Expressive face: He’s known for his wide eyes and wide, cheerful grin, which express his mischievous yet loveable nature.
- Messy appearance: Marmaduke isn’t a prim and proper dog. His messy fur gives him a playful and friendly appearance.
As you sketch, keep these features in mind to capture Marmaduke’s spirit accurately. You could also consider drawing other famous dog characters from classic comics and cartoons of the last century like Tramp, Pluto, Clifford, Droopy Dog and Huckleberry Hound for an amazing retro illustration.
About Our Guide
This step-by-step drawing tutorial is designed to help you successfully draw Marmaduke, regardless of your artistic skills. It’s all about following the steps and understanding the color-coded guidelines:
- Red Color: Represents the current step you should be focusing on.
- Black Color: Showcases the lines you have previously drawn.
- Grey Color: Shows the basic proportion sketch, which you should draw with light pencil strokes to easily erase and adjust.
The first step involves creating a basic sketch to establish Marmaduke’s proportions. The last step gives you the option to ink your sketch. If you choose to ink, remember to let the ink dry before gently erasing the pencil sketch. This method ensures a clean, crisp finished piece.
If you want new drawing guides sent straight to you each week, there’s a signup form at the top of this page that’ll do exactly that, no need to keep checking back. Now that you know how to draw Marmaduke, it’s a good one to add to that collection alongside whatever comes next. And if you share your Marmaduke on Pinterest, drop it in the comments on the pinned post there, it’s fun to see how different people tackle the same goofy Great Dane.