How to Draw a Cartoon Police Officer

This lesson continues the theme of cartoon characters and will show you how to draw a cartoon police officer with characteristic proportions.

In one of our previous lessons, we showed you how to draw a realistic police officer with naturalistic proportions and physique.

Now we will show you a simplified cartoon version of drawing a police officer, based on our cartoon man drawing lesson and forming part of our series of step-by-step cartoon instructions.

Continuing this theme, we demonstrate how to apply cartoon character drawing methods in practice when drawing a police officer.

How to draw a cartoon police officer step by step

Step 1: Sketch the cartoon officer head

Cartoon characters are best constructed step by step using basic circles and ovals, starting from the upper part. Therefore, sketch the cartoon police officer’s head as a simple oval. Then draw the facial symmetry lines intersecting exactly at the center of the officer’s head.

Step 2: Sketch the cartoon torso and neck

Directly below the head, indicate the neck with a pair of short lines. After that, sketch the torso, keeping in mind that cartoon proportions imply a deliberately enlarged head, so the torso should be smaller than in a realistic drawing.

Step 3: Mark the simplified arms

Now sketch the outlines of the arms using very light lines. You can place them in any pose, for example crossed over the chest as in our example. Just remember that the arms should remain proportional to the torso.

Step 4: Sketch the simplified leg shapes

The legs of a cartoon character should also be proportional to the torso and, in overall proportions, noticeably shorter than those of a realistic human figure. Draw them using a series of ovals while maintaining symmetry between the left and right legs of the cartoon police officer.

Step 5: Draw the cartoon police officer’s head details

Starting from this stage, begin adding the basic outlines of the details while still relying on large shapes. Start with the head and draw the police officer’s hat with its characteristic outline. Slightly below, sketch the glasses, then add the nose and mouth. On the sides of the head, use a pair of curved lines to indicate the ears.

Step 6: Refine the cartoon police officer head

Gradually begin refining the head, giving the details a more finished and accurate appearance. Draw the glasses in detail and give the hat a more precise shape. Outline the ears and add inner details. Draw the nose and mouth of the cartoon police officer more clearly and adjust the outline of the jaw.

Step 7: Clean up and complete the officer’s head

Erase all construction lines from the head, check the proportions and accuracy of the details, and make sure all parts relate correctly to one another. Add small details to the cartoon police officer’s head if necessary.

Step 8: Add details to the officer’s body

Using the same method you applied when adding details to the head, begin adding details to the body, working with general, light, and rough lines. First, add the outlines of the clothing and indicate the placement of the folds. Then sketch the outline of the belt and the elements attached to it.

Step 9: Refine and detail the cartoon arms

Gradually refine the arms, detailing the clothing and folds. As you continue refining the cartoon police officer drawing, regularly check the proportions and try not to focus on one area for too long. Erase construction lines step by step as you work.

Step 10: Detail the legs of the cartoon officer

Detail the police belt by drawing a baton and other items such as handcuffs or a radio. Then refine the pants, adding folds and seams. At the very bottom, outline the boots and add the feet. Continue removing construction lines as the drawing becomes more detailed.

Step 11: Outline the cartoon police officer drawing

Cartoon style implies thick, dark outlines, so gradually add them by working from the top downward, outlining the entire cartoon police officer. Make the lines bold and clear, remove all remaining construction lines, and finalize the proportions.

Drawing all cartoon characters involves a specific set of techniques, which we used in this lesson to depict the police officer.

A large head with a disproportionately small body and simplified features and proportions are the basic foundations of creating cartoon characters.

By applying these principles, you will be able to draw not only a cartoon police officer from any country or state, but also any other professional character.

For example, we used the same principles in our cartoon doctor drawing lesson, where we dressed the character in a medical coat.

To learn how to draw other cartoon characters and create characteristic proportions and outlines, visit our cartoon category. There, we also show how to accurately depict famous characters from animated series that many of us enjoy.