How to Draw a Cartoon Sheep

This lesson will show you how to draw a cartoon sheep with its characteristic wool texture using a very simple technique.

In most of our lessons, we show how to carefully build volume, form, and construction.

However, here we decided to simplify everything so that the entire process is reduced to a minimal set of basic lines through which an artist can recreate cartoon animals on paper.

At the same time, this method still allows you to create a basic sense of volume in your drawing so that it does not look flat.

How to draw a cartoon sheep step by step

Step 1: Sketch the oval body shape

Volume in a drawing can already be suggested by the way the object is turned on the sheet of paper. Outline the torso of the sheep as an oval that slightly narrows toward the back. This will indicate that the animal is not standing strictly sideways but is slightly turned toward us.

Step 2: Sketch the head and neck structure

Now sketch the cylindrical neck and the rounded head in the upper part of the body. By placing these parts at the front of the torso with a slight turn toward the viewer, you will help the drawing appear more three-dimensional later, even though you are using very simple lines.

Step 3: Draw the face of the cartoon sheep

Gradually begin adding details using simple, generalized shapes. In the upper part, sketch the hair on the head in a cloud-like form. Add the ears on the sides, and slightly below draw the eyes and the muzzle. Arrange these features so that the sheep’s face is turned in a three-quarter view.

Step 4: Draw the legs of the cartoon sheep

In the lower front part of the torso, sketch the outlines of the front legs using smooth shapes. Then add the hind legs, making them slightly smaller to convey the effect of linear perspective. Also note that the sheep’s rear right leg is only partially visible, which further adds a sense of volume to the drawing.

Step 5: Sketch the wool texture and facial details

Now begin adding smaller details, but still using basic, non-final lines. Use short, bumpy strokes to indicate the texture of the wool on the head. Slightly below, refine the eyes and draw the nose and mouth of the cartoon sheep.

Step 6: Outline and complete the face

Now, starting from this stage, use more final and confident lines, carefully tracing the drawing and methodically erasing the construction lines. Begin with the head: outline the contours of the face and remove any unnecessary sketch lines in this area. Paint the eye and leave a small highlight inside.

Step 7: Refine the head and neck lines

Now do roughly the same with the rest of the head and neck. Carefully trace the curly wool on the head, the ears, and the neck with clean, clear lines. Then use an eraser to gently remove the remaining construction lines and clean up this area so it does not look messy.

Step 8: Draw the hooves of the cartoon sheep

Add the wool texture on the sheep’s body using the same light, bumpy strokes you used on the head and neck. On the legs, sketch the outlines of the hooves, keeping in mind that the front ones should be slightly larger than the rear ones. For now, continue using light lines that can be easily erased.

Step 9: Refine the wool outline on the body

Now carefully trace the previously sketched outlines of the wool on the sheep’s body with clearer, smoother lines. At the same time, remove the short sketch marks and the construction ovals that were created in the earlier stages.

Step 10: Finalize the legs and hooves

Finalize your entire cartoon sheep drawing by tracing the remaining parts, namely the legs and hooves. Check the whole drawing and make sure that all parts are proportional to one another and that the basic principles of symmetry are maintained. The drawing should look clean and neat. If it does not, go back to the step where the mistake was made and correct it.

As you can see, despite its simplicity, the sheep looks fairly three-dimensional because it is not placed in a flat, two-dimensional position. We clearly see the turn of the body, the basic overlapping of forms, and the use of simple linear symmetry.

All of these simple techniques from the fundamentals of drawing that we discussed in the first lesson of the basic drawing course allow you to create a convincing and fairly volumetric drawing using very simple methods.

Even without complex shadows, atmospheric perspective, or highly detailed forms, the drawing already appears three-dimensional at a basic level.

You can apply the same principles when drawing a cartoon chicken or almost any other animal using a simple method.

If you look at our lesson on how to draw a cartoon cat, you will notice that we used the same technique with a slight turn of the body while keeping the forms very simple.

The animal already appears noticeably three-dimensional, while still remaining clearly cartoon-like.