How to Draw a Cartoon Spider

In this lesson, we will show you how to draw a cartoon spider and depict this creepy creature for many people in a very cute style.

Any creature, even one as creepy as a spider, can be depicted in a very simplified and cute style, similar to what you often see in cartoons.

To draw a spider or any other creature in a cartoon style, you need to reduce all details to a minimum, keeping only the most recognizable features, adding large eyes, and avoiding details and shading that don’t fit this style.

In our example, the spider is colored solid black, and only the large cartoon eyes stand out on its small body.

How to draw a cartoon spider step by step

Step 1: Outline the round body form

As in many other cases, you need to start with the simplest shape. In our case, this is a circle drawn with very light lines. Sketch it to mark the main contours of the spider’s head and body. The shape, height, width, and size of this circle will determine the overall size and proportions of the arthropod.

Step 2: Draw the large cartoon spider eyes

Now add the detail that will make your spider drawing truly cartoonish – its large eyes. Of course, in real life spiders have very different eyes: they are very small, and there are usually more than just two of them. Using smooth outlines, draw the cartoon eyes and add small pupils inside. By changing the shape of the outlines, you can alter the expression of the cartoon arthropod’s face.

Step 3: Draw the cartoon spider legs

Now, on the sides of the round body, begin sketching the legs of the cartoon spider. A spider, being an arthropod, has eight legs, unlike insects. However, in our example, we decided to depict the spider in an unusual way and drew three legs on each side. At this stage, do not add any details – simply mark their placement and overall pose using simple lines.

Step 4: Trace the body and cartoon eyes

Starting from this step, begin outlining your cartoon spider drawing to give it a cleaner and more cartoon-like appearance. Cartoon drawings often use very thick lines, so you can follow that approach here as well. Carefully trace the outline of the body and add small hairs on the top of the head. Then outline the eyes and pupils with clear, dark lines, gradually erasing the auxiliary sketch marks.

Step 5: Outline and refine the legs

Now do the same with the legs – using clean, dark lines, outline their contours to give them a finished and clear look. Check the overall proportions of your cartoon spider drawing and tidy everything up if you notice any mistakes or inaccuracies.

Step 6: Complete the spider illustration

Now it’s time to finish the drawing and give it a final look. In our example, we colored the entire cartoon spider in solid black, so you can follow the same approach. Alternatively, you can color it in any other color you like or leave it uncolored and add simple basic hatching instead.

As mentioned at the very beginning of this cartoon spider drawing lesson, using basic shapes and lines is what helps the entire drawing look more cartoon-like.

Using the same approach, you can draw any other arthropod, insect, or animal in a similar style. In addition, this style allows you to create more complex compositions with multiple characters included.

We also mentioned that the eyes are the most noticeable element in this drawing. It is these large, expressive eyes that make a simple, schematic drawing truly cartoon-like.

Now you can try one very interesting technique that animators all over the world use. Try drawing the spider as shown in our example, and then change the position of the pupils by erasing and redrawing them so they look in different directions – up, down, left, or right.

This will help you understand how a simple adjustment can change the direction of a character’s gaze.

You can also try another useful technique commonly used by animators. By erasing and redrawing the upper contours of the eyes and changing their angle, you’ll see how the mood of the drawing changes.

Using these two simple techniques – adjusting the direction of the gaze and the angle of the upper eye lines – you can create a wide range of different emotions and expressions.

In our Cartoons category, we explain the basic methods that artists and animators use to create memorable characters like these. There you can also find drawing lessons for cartoon animals of various types and shapes.