How to Draw a Cartoon Pig

This simple tutorial will show you how to draw a cartoon pig using very simple basic shapes and rounded lines.

A pig has a very distinctive appearance made up mostly of rounded lines and shapes, and this is exactly what you need to convey in your drawing.

In addition, in this lesson you will need to convey the cartoon style of the character. This can be achieved using classic methods of this style, such as simplification, exaggeration, and added expressiveness.

To keep the pig from looking too flat, we will show how to draw it with a slight turn, which will give it a subtle sense of volume, just as we did in our cartoon sheep drawing tutorial.

How to draw cartoon pig step by step

Step 1: Sketch the basic cartoon torso shape

Begin with the torso by sketching it as a simple oval. This will be the central shape around which you will build the rest of the cartoon pig drawing. Place this shape so there is enough space around it for the other parts of the body.

Step 2: Draw the head of the cartoon pig

On the side, draw a smaller circle to indicate the head. These two geometric shapes should overlap. The more the circle overlaps the oval, the stronger the turn of the head toward the viewer.

Step 3: Add the pig’s face and main features

Now begin adding general basic forms with large outlines. First sketch the eye, then draw the elongated muzzle with the snout at the end. Below the muzzle, draw a smiling mouth. On the top of the head, sketch the pig’s large ears.

Step 4: Sketch the front and hind legs

Next sketch the legs, keeping in mind that the pig is standing in a slight three-quarter view. This means we clearly see one front and one hind leg, while the second front leg is partially visible and the second hind leg is even less visible. These small overlaps help create a sense of volume in the drawing.

Step 5: Draw the curly tail and add the hooves

At the back of the body, sketch the pig’s spiral tail. Use smooth lines to outline the hooves, still avoiding unnecessary details. At this stage you can also refine the shape of the legs and correct any inaccuracies.

Step 6: Outline and refine the cartoon pig’s face

Now gradually begin giving the drawing a more finished look by using darker pencil lines or a liner. First outline the muzzle, carefully drawing the snout and adding the nostrils. Then refine the eye and fill it with black. Erase the construction lines from the pig’s head.

Step 7: Draw the cartoon pig ears in detail

Continue the lines from the previous step by outlining the rest of the head and darkening the ears. Check the proportions of this part of the drawing and remove any remaining construction lines so the head looks clean and complete.

Step 8: Add neck folds and trace the front legs

With a couple of smooth lines, add folds on the pig’s neck. Then outline the front legs with clear, dark lines, gradually erasing the construction sketches from the early stages that are no longer part of the final drawing.

Step 9: Outline the remaining parts of the pig

Outline the remaining parts of the pig with dark, clean lines and finish the tail. Refine the hooves and check the proportions and symmetry of all the parts. Compare the overall shape of the pig with the individual parts and correct any inaccuracies if they appear.

This pig drawing lesson is based on the classic principles of drawing in a simplified style. Try not to add too many small details so the pig does not look overly complicated.

It is best to rely on basic forms to achieve a clean result. Later, you can experiment with the outlines and viewing angle.

For example, you can turn the pig in another direction and change the facial features. You can also take this further and transform the simple cartoon pig into a full character.

That is exactly what we did in our drawing lesson on Piglet from Winnie-the-Pooh. In essence, it is the same pig but with more recognizable features and characteristic clothing.

If you want to continue practicing your skills, be sure to try our cartoon chicken drawing lesson, where we use the same methods to depict a completely different animal.