How to Draw SpongeBob SquarePants

This easy step-by-step lesson will show you how to draw SpongeBob SquarePants from the animated series of the same name.

SpongeBob is a very recognizable cartoon character, which means he has many distinctive features, the first of which is his unusual square shape.

But despite the character’s unique style, the drawing methods remain classic cartoon techniques – the same ones animators typically use to create characters like this.

In this lesson, using SpongeBob as an example, we will show you how such unusual cartoon characters are built and what methods are used to draw them quickly while keeping their recognizable shape.

How to draw SpongeBob SquarePants step by step

Step 1: Sketch the main body rectangle

At first, draw a rectangle. Note that the rectangle should be slightly narrowed toward the bottom. Sketch the symmetry guidelines. The vertical line will help you find the center of the face, and the horizontal line will help you place the eyes. Note that these lines should intersect at the center of the rectangle.

Step 2: Draw the wavy sponge edges

SpongeBob is a sea sponge, and one characteristic feature of its texture is uneven edges. Using a smooth, wavy line, draw these edges along the upper part of SpongeBob’s body, using the rectangle from the previous step as a guide. Try to keep this part symmetrical as you draw it.

Step 3: Draw the eyes and smile of SpongeBob

Now sketch the main outlines of SpongeBob’s facial features. First, draw the cartoon eyes of the character using the symmetry guidelines you added in the first step. Then, slightly lower, using the vertical centerline, draw SpongeBob’s famous smile.

Step 4: Sketch the irises and the nose

Now it’s time to start adding details, and once again, let’s begin with the eyes. In the center of each eye outline, draw the irises and pupils. Then, using a long smooth line and following the construction guidelines from the first step, draw SpongeBob’s nose. After that, draw the cheeks above the upper corners of the mouth, on both sides beneath the eyes.

Step 5: Draw the teeth and sleeves of SpongeBob

Another memorable feature of this cartoon character is his front teeth. Using two small squares, draw these teeth with a small gap between them. Below the teeth, sketch the edge of the lower lip. On the sides of the body, draw the short sleeves of the shirt.

Step 6: Sketch the collar, tie, and pants

In the center of the torso, sketch the triangular shirt collar. Between the collar triangles, draw a short tie and center it. Then, in the lower part beneath the torso, draw the short pant legs – another characteristic feature of this cartoon character.

Step 7: Draw the eyelashes of SpongeBob

Using clean, confident lines, trace the irises to give them a neat, finished look. Then fill in the pupils with black. At the top of the eyes, draw the eyelashes – three above each eye. Check the symmetry of the entire SpongeBob drawing and of the individual details as well.

Step 8: Sketch the belt and arms

Using clear, dark lines, outline the edge of the pants. Then draw the belt slightly below this edge as a series of broken black lines. After that, move to the sides of the torso and draw the arms ending in cartoon hands. Unlike the torso shape, the arms and fingers should be rounded.

Step 9: Add the legs, socks, and shoes

Now, using smooth lines, draw SpongeBob’s legs. Below these lines, draw the shoes as rounded shapes with angular heels. Slightly above, draw the socks and add horizontal stripes near the top. Check your SpongeBob drawing for any mistakes and correct them. Evaluate the proportions and compare them with our illustration.

Step 10: Ink the lines and add spots

Trace your entire SpongeBob drawing with dark, clean lines to give the sketch a more finished look. Then erase all construction lines you sketched in the very first steps, and once again evaluate and compare the proportions. Finally, add the last recognizable detail – oval spots that create the sponge texture on the upper part of the character’s body.

In this SpongeBob drawing lesson, we showed the method we use to draw most cartoon characters.

Even though SpongeBob has a very unusual design, he is drawn in nearly the same way as many other characters from similar cartoons.

Now you can try drawing this character in context, creating a slightly more complex composition, and changing the pose and facial expression. At the same time, the main drawing principles will remain the same.

And if this lesson seems too simple for you, try drawing Mickey Mouse. In that tutorial, you’ll use the same basic methods, but with slightly different nuances.

To learn how to draw other super popular characters from cartoons and well-known animated movies, visit our Cartoons category. There, we also explain the basic principles of drawing cartoon characters and how their proportions differ from realistic ones.

If you found this tutorial interesting and helpful, share it with your friends and follow us on social media.

Stay tuned for new drawing lessons from DrawingForAll!