How to Draw Classic Superman

This drawing tutorial will show you how to draw classic Superman, the legendary superhero from the DC Universe. Superman first appeared in comic books in 1938.

In one of our other tutorials, we already showed you how to draw Superman, but here we want to focus in detail on the features and characteristics that characterize his classic image.

This is exactly how readers saw him in the early to mid-20th century, and it is these features that we will show how to convey in this drawing tutorial.

How to draw classic Superman step by step

Step 1: Sketch Superman’s basic figure shapes

First, let’s sketch the skeleton of Superman. This figure will show us the main proportions, pose, and position on the paper. Using an oval, draw the head. Draw the neck and spine. The height of the spine is equal to two head lengths. Using a horizontal line, draw the shoulder line. Note that Superman’s shoulders should be extremely wide. Draw the guidelines for the arms and legs, as shown in our example. The legs should be four head lengths tall.

Step 2: Build the upper body volumes

Draw the facial symmetry guidelines. Mark the head with two perpendicular lines: a vertical line for facial symmetry and a horizontal guideline for the eyes. Note that the position of the vertical line shows the sideways turn of the head. Using a short cylinder, draw the neck. Sketch the torso as shown in the example below. Draw the shoulders and elbows using circles. Draw the arms, each consisting of two equal cylinders.

Step 3: Construct the lower body

Continue the drawing tutorial on how to draw classic Superman. In this step, we will work on Superman’s lower body. As in the previous step, we will draw the body parts using simple geometric shapes. Draw the triangular pelvis as shown in our example. Using cylinders, draw the legs. Sketch the knees and feet. The general shapes are ready!

Step 4: Draw Superman’s facial features

In this step, we will start drawing Superman’s face. Draw the eyes using the horizontal guideline from the second step. Using two thick curved lines, draw the eyebrows above the eyes. Below the eyes, draw the nose, guided by the vertical line from the second step. Using a short horizontal line, draw the mouth.

Step 5: Refine the head and cape

Continue drawing Superman’s head. Draw the ear. The upper edge of the ear should be level with the eyebrows, and the lower edge should be level with the tip of the nose. Draw the hairline. Using short curved lines, draw the slicked-back hair. Erase the guidelines and trace the remaining lines to make them smooth and clean. Draw the neck and upper part of the cape. Sketch the cape as shown in our example.

Step 6: Detail the muscular torso

Now, let’s draw Superman’s torso. Erase the extra lines from the previous steps and draw the powerful pectoral muscles and the famous logo with the letter S in the center. Using three lines, draw the abdominal muscles.

Step 7: Define the arms and fists

Erase the guidelines from the previous steps. In place of the circles, draw the massive deltoids, which form the outer contours of the shoulders. Just below them, draw the biceps on the inner sides of the upper arms and the triceps on the outer sides. Then draw the forearms, which taper toward the wrists. Finish by drawing the fists and the lines of the suit, as shown in our example.

Step 8: Refine the muscular legs

In this step, work on Superman’s lower body. Erase the guidelines and unnecessary strokes from the pelvis and legs. Trace the remaining lines to make them smooth and clean, as shown in our drawing. Draw the muscle contours.

Step 9: Finish the costume and cape

We have reached the final step in the drawing tutorial on how to draw Superman. Draw the belt as shown in our example and add some folds to the costume. Using two lines shaped like the letter M, draw the tops of the boots. Trace the cape lines using the guidelines from the previous steps.

We hope this drawing tutorial helped you learn how to draw classic Superman from DC Comics.

Visit our site for new drawing tutorials by Drawingforall.net. Fans of classic comic book characters may also enjoy drawing Spider-Man and other superheroes using our step by step tutorials.