How to Draw Rocket Raccoon

Finished Rocket Raccoon drawing holding a large weapon with detailed clothing and fur

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to draw Rocket Raccoon, a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy from Marvel universe.

Many of you probably know the Guardians of the Galaxy from the movie released in 2014. However, this charming superhero was created much earlier. Rocket Raccoon first appeared before comic book readers in “The Incredible Hulk” in 1982.

How to draw Rocket Raccoon step by step

Step 1: Sketch Rocket Raccoon’s guidelines

Begin with a stick figure made of lines and circles. This framework will help establish Rocket Raccoon’s body structure, pose, and position on the paper.

His body structure is very different from that of an adult man and is much closer to that of a very young child. Compared with the head, Rocket Raccoon’s body looks very small. Mark the head with two guidelines: a vertical facial symmetry line and a horizontal eye line. Note how both lines curve to convey the slight tilt of the head.

Sketching Rocket Raccoon’s pose with a large head and simple body lines

Step 2: Add volume to the raccoon’s body

Before proceeding, check the body structure from the previous stage because mistakes will be difficult to correct later. Outline Rocket Raccoon’s face with a diamond-shaped form, then draw the angular ears. Move lower and sketch the rectangular torso and triangular groin area.

Following the stick figure, outline Rocket Raccoon’s arms and weapon. Although the muscles are not visible, each arm is clearly divided into the upper arm, forearm, and hand. The hands are clenched, so pay attention to their size.

Next, draw Rocket Raccoon’s legs. The upper sections resemble cylinders, while the lower sections, especially the fully visible left leg, are thinner and more streamlined. Carefully reproduce the bends of the lower legs, then sketch the tail.

Building Rocket Raccoon’s face, torso, arms, weapon, legs, and tail

Step 3: Mark the facial features

With Rocket Raccoon’s figure established, begin adding details from the head downward. Use the facial guidelines to mark the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth. The eyebrow on our right has a sharper angle because of the turn of the head. Also refine the contours of the ears.

Marking Rocket Raccoon’s eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and ear contours

Step 4: Refine Rocket Raccoon’s head

Finish Rocket Raccoon’s head. Draw the tousled fur along the sides, then refine the small, angry eyes. Add the slightly parted lips and small visible teeth.

Refining Rocket Raccoon’s tousled fur, angry eyes, muzzle, mouth, and teeth

Step 5: Detail the arms and clothing

Outline Rocket Raccoon’s arms and torso, then draw the small strap and buckle. Refine the arm contours, paying particular attention to the high gloves that completely cover the forearms. Carefully sketch the fingers and knuckles.

Detailing Rocket Raccoon’s torso, strap, buckle, gloves, fingers, and weapon

Step 6: Refine the raccoon’s tail and legs

Refine the contours of Rocket Raccoon’s tail, then draw the transverse bands and shade them. It is best to do this in two stages: first outline each band, then fill it with hatching. Also refine the leg contours and draw small, sharp claws on the feet.

Refining Rocket Raccoon’s striped tail, legs, feet, and small sharp claws

Step 7: Complete drawing Rocket Raccoon

Erase the remaining construction lines from Rocket Raccoon’s figure. Add the final details to his clothing and refine the ankle on the visible left leg.

Finishing Rocket Raccoon’s clothing, body outlines, left ankle, and remaining details

This step-by-step tutorial showed you how to draw Rocket Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy. If you want to continue drawing Marvel characters, try drawing Spider-Man, one of the most recognizable superheroes in comics.

You can also practice drawing the Punisher or drawing Wolverine, whose appearance are built on completely different costumes and facial features.