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how to draw a monster

How to draw a monster - a free monster drawing guide

Learn to draw a friendly monster step-by-step using simple shapes, colors, and shading while practicing creativity, proportion, and drawing skills.

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Photos of friendly monster drawing examples

Step-by-step guide to draw a friendly monster

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How to Draw a Monster - Step by Step for Kids

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, black marker or pen, coloring materials (crayons or markers or colored pencils), darker colored pencil for shading, blending stump or finger (optional)

Step 1

Lightly draw a large oval in the middle of the paper for the monster's body.

Step 2

Lightly draw a smaller circle overlapping the top of the oval for the monster's head about one-third the size of the body.

Step 3

Draw two round eyes inside the head spaced evenly apart.

Step 4

Draw small filled circles inside each eye to make the pupils.

Step 5

Leave a tiny uncolored dot in each pupil to create a shiny eye highlight.

Step 6

Draw a wide friendly smile under the eyes to give your monster a happy expression.

Step 7

Add one or two simple teeth inside the smile as small rectangles or triangles.

Step 8

Draw arms and legs using tube shapes or rectangles attached to the body.

Step 9

Add fun features like horns antennae spikes or big ears around the head using simple shapes.

Step 10

Add body patterns like spots stripes or scales using small shapes across the body.

Step 11

Trace over your final pencil lines with the black marker and wait a moment for the ink to dry.

Step 12

Gently erase any leftover pencil lines so only the marker outlines remain.

Step 13

Draw a small sun or arrow to show where your light is coming from.

Step 14

Add shading on the side opposite the light using a darker colored pencil and blend softly with a blending stump or your finger.

Step 15

Color your monster with your coloring materials and then share your finished creation on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

I don't have a blending stump or a black marker — what can I use instead?

If you don't have a blending stump use a clean cotton swab or your finger to blend the darker colored pencil when adding shading on the side opposite the light, and if you lack a black marker trace your final pencil lines with a black pen or fine-tip felt marker before waiting to dry and erasing pencil lines.

My marker smudged and the pupil highlights disappeared — how do I avoid or fix that?

To prevent smudging and protect the tiny uncolored dot highlights in the pupils, draw all lines lightly in pencil (steps 1–9), trace with the black marker in step 11 and wait the full drying time before gently erasing leftover pencil lines in step 12, and if a highlight is lost leave a tiny white spot with a white gel pen or carefully erase around the pupil.

How can I change this activity for different ages?

For younger kids simplify to the big oval body, head circle, two eyes, and coloring with crayons (skip the shading and blending stump), while older kids can add detailed horns, spikes, body scales, the light-direction arrow, and use colored pencils plus a blending stump to shade opposite the light for more depth.

What are some ways to extend or personalize my monster drawing after coloring?

Extend and personalize your monster by adding a background scene or companion creatures, experimenting with mixed media like watercolor washes before tracing in step 11, using metallic or gel pens for spots and highlights, and photographing your finished creation to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a friendly monster

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How to Draw a Simple Monster: Easy Step by Step Drawing Tutorial for Beginners

4 Videos

Facts about drawing fundamentals for kids

🎨 Starting with simple shapes like circles, squares, and triangles makes building monsters super easy and fun.

😊 Monsters with round shapes, big eyes, and smiles usually look friendlier to people and other kids.

🔺 Lots of sharp angles, spikes, and teeth tend to make a creature look scary—soften them to keep your monster friendly.

🌈 Color choices change the mood: bright warm colors feel energetic and happy, cool colors feel calm and gentle.

✏️ Adding basic shading (light and shadow) makes a flat monster drawing look 3D and more alive.

How do I teach my child to draw a friendly monster step-by-step?

Start by sketching simple shapes: use a circle or oval for the body, smaller circles for eyes, and rounded rectangles for arms and legs. Add facial features—smile, teeth, horns or antennae—keeping proportions playful. Refine outlines and erase construction lines, then add textures like fur, spots, or scales. Ink if desired, color with crayons or markers, and finish with light shading and a cast shadow for depth. Encourage imagination and praise effort.

What materials do I need to draw a friendly monster with my child?

You’ll need plain drawing paper, a pencil (HB or 2B), eraser and sharpener; colored pencils, markers, or crayons for coloring; and an optional black fineliner for outlines. A blending stump or cotton swab helps simple shading, and scrap paper is useful for practice. A ruler or circle template can assist younger kids. Choose washable, non-toxic supplies and set up a wipeable workspace to keep things tidy and safe.

What ages is drawing a friendly monster suitable for?

This activity suits children about 4 to 12 years old with easy adaptations. Ages 4–6 enjoy big shapes, bold colors, and adult help for fine lines. Ages 7–9 can work on proportion, details, and light shading independently. Ages 10+ can explore texture, perspective, and refined shading or backgrounds. Offer simple templates for beginners and extra challenges—like action poses or scenes—for older kids to keep everyone engaged.

What are the benefits of having my child draw friendly monsters?

Drawing friendly monsters boosts creativity, fine motor skills, visual-spatial reasoning, and an understanding of proportion. It supports emotional expression—children can project feelings onto characters—and builds confidence when they complete a drawing. Practicing color choices and shading develops observation and planning. Group drawing fosters social skills and cooperation. Try variations like monster families, seasonal themes, or a flipbook to extend learning and fun.

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