Buzz
Mickey Mouse is a classic and beloved cartoon character. With his large ears and expressive appearance, Mickey is an excellent choice if you're unsure what to draw. Drawing Mickey Mouse is quite simple, even if you don't have much drawing experience. Beyond a nose, two eyes, and two ears, this iconic mouse is essentially a series of overlapping ovals arranged in a specific order. The easiest approach is to draw Mickey facing forward, but you can also depict him in profile for a slightly more challenging task. Once the head is complete, you can add the body and his oversized, whimsical shoes!
Steps
Drawing Mickey Mouse in Profile
Draw a circle to form the main part of Mickey Mouse's head. Use a pencil to sketch a circle. This initial circle will serve as the foundation for Mickey's head, so make it roughly the size you want the final drawing to be. Aim to make it as round as possible.
- If you want a perfect circle to start, trace around a circular object like the bottom of a jar or cup.
- Since this method involves erasing many initial sketch lines after outlining Mickey's general shape, avoid pressing too hard with your pencil during the first steps.
Draw two intersecting curves on the left side of the circle to create a spherical shape. Start the first curve from the top arc of the circle, guiding your pencil to the left to form a crescent shape on the outermost left. Begin the second curve from the middle of the left arc, curving downward to create a U-shaped arc. These two lines will give the circle a three-dimensional appearance.
- These curves are often referred to as centerlines or contour lines. They serve as guides for positioning the nose and eyes and will eventually be erased, so draw them lightly.
- If you want Mickey to face the right, reverse the process to the right side. Every step must be mirrored to appear on the opposite side of the circle.
Draw a small circle protruding from the intersection of the curves. At the point where the two centerlines meet, sketch a small circle about one-tenth the size of the larger circle. Position it so the intersection of the centerlines lies in the upper right portion of the small circle.
- This small circle will serve as the center of Mickey's nose. The lower half will eventually be erased.
Draw a slightly smaller "egg" shape on top of the small circle. At the upper left of the small circle, sketch an "egg" shape tilted at a 15-degree angle away from the rest of the drawing. This will form the tip of Mickey's nose. These lines will not be erased.
- If the nose isn't tilted slightly away from the head, it will appear sunken. If the tip is too flat, Mickey will look confused or grumpy.
Add two ears on the right and upper right of the large circle. Draw Mickey's ears by adding two equally sized circles above and to the right of the large circle. Ensure the base of each ear slightly overlaps the larger circle.
- Erase the parts of the ears that overlap the head, but leave the outer portions intact.
- Make each ear about three-fifths the size of the large circle.
Draw a figure resembling the number 3 in the middle of the large circle to separate the face from the back of the head. To distinguish Mickey's face from the black portion of his head, sketch a number 3 with the top stroke slanting downward and the bottom stroke extending backward as if leaning to the left. Connect the bottom of the 3 to the lower arc of the circle, leaving a small gap between the top of the circle and the top of the 3. As you draw the top of the 3 near the upper left of the circle, connect it seamlessly to the head.
- This step should be done in one continuous stroke.
- Mickey's mouth will occupy the lower left gap, and his eyes will be in the upper left gap.
Tip: This shape may seem unusual and slightly unnatural. Draw lightly so you can make adjustments as you finalize the drawing.
Draw a continuous line connecting the bottom of the small circle to the midpoint of the large circle. Start from the base of the small circle (not the egg shape but the circle below) and sketch a U-shaped curve extending into the center of the large circle, slightly below its midpoint. This will form Mickey's nose and upper lip.
- Erase the lower right portion of the small circle, leaving the curve from the intersection of the centerlines to the starting point of the newly drawn curve.
Add a smaller, deeper U-shaped curve below the previous one to create the mouth. Begin at the intersection of the large circle and the nose, guiding your pencil downward and slightly beyond the large circle. Curve it back up to connect with the end of the previous line.
- Make it look like a shallower U above a deeper U.
- Erase all lines inside these two curves to form Mickey's mouth.
- Draw two upward convex curves connected at the bottom inside the mouth to create the tongue. This should resemble a soft, rounded letter M.
Draw the lower lip by adding a parallel curve below the mouth. Sketch a second U-shaped curve just outside the lower lip, starting from the nose and stopping slightly beyond the large circle.
- The gap between these two curves should be very narrow. Erase all lines between them.
Add two eyes by drawing a larger oval on the right and a smaller one on the left. Create the first eye with an elongated oval on the right side of the centerline and to the left of the number 3 divider. Draw a smaller oval to the left of the centerline but still within the large circle.
- Add pupils inside and toward the bottom of both eyes. You can fill them in or leave them blank.
Trace over the initial sketch with ink or a marker and erase overlapping lines. You can remove overlapping lines and guide marks either before or after inking. Erase the connections between the ears, the inside of the mouth, the guiding lines, and the lower right part of the nose. Use black ink to outline the remaining lines and complete the drawing.
- If you plan to add color, fill in all areas to the right of the dividing line with black. Color Mickey's face with a skin tone and his tongue red.
Finished.
Drawing Mickey Mouse's Body
Sketch Mickey's pants by starting with a curved line extending outward on both sides. Mickey's pants resemble a rectangle with rounded edges. You can draw them centered or slightly off to one side. Outline the left, right, and top edges below Mickey's head, leaving a small gap between his head and the top of the pants. Soften the top edge by curving it slightly in the middle, giving the impression that Mickey is sticking out his belly.
- The space between the top of the pants and Mickey's head depends on how long you want his torso to be. Traditionally, he has a rounder figure, so avoid leaving too much space.
- You can use ink directly if preferred, but this makes corrections difficult if mistakes occur.
Draw wide pant cuffs below the legs on either side of the suspenders. You can make the pant legs even or position one slightly forward to give the illusion of a diagonal stance. Add two small rectangles at the bottom of the pants, leaving the top part open so the legs appear as one piece.
- Mickey's pant legs are relatively wide, resembling high-waisted shorts.
Add two large buttons to the center of the suspenders by drawing two ovals. These buttons are essential to make the figure resemble Mickey's body. Place them at the top of the pants. The ovals should be slightly elongated and positioned vertically.
- If you want Mickey to appear facing left, make the left button slightly smaller than the right to create a sense of depth.
Draw two shorter lines from the sides of the pants curving upward toward Mickey's head. Slightly curve them inward to give the impression that Mickey's torso is centered under his head. Keep these lines short and avoid connecting them to the head.
- These lines will form the sides of Mickey's upper body.
Draw Mickey's arms behind his back for simplicity. Start by sketching the upper arm from Mickey's head. Add another line for the forearm, beginning just below the end of the upper body line. Angle these lines outward and downward at a 45-degree angle, stopping near the middle of the buttons. Curve the arms inward to make it look like Mickey is clasping his hands behind his back. Repeat for the other arm.
- This is a classic pose for Mickey.
- Mickey's hands are slightly complex. You can add them if desired—each hand is roughly the size of his head with four fingers. Don't forget he always wears gloves!
Draw legs extending from the bottom of Mickey's pants. You can position the legs in any direction you prefer. Make Mickey's legs proportionate to his arms. Typically, his legs are the same length as his pants, so ensure they stop at the appropriate length.
- Make one leg slightly larger than the other to give the illusion that Mickey is standing at an angle.
- Leave the bottom of the legs blank to add shoes later.
Give Mickey his iconic large, round shoes with ankle openings resembling donuts. Mickey's shoes are big and round, with ankle joints that look like donuts with his legs passing through the center. Draw a small curve to close off the bottom of the legs. Add a ring above the ankle, wrapping around the front of the curve. Leave a small gap in the middle and draw a large oval to complete Mickey's shoes.
- If coloring, use red for the suspenders and yellow for the shoes.
Tip: Mickey is sometimes depicted with a tail, but not always. If you want to include a tail, draw it peeking out from behind, starting just below the bottom of his pants. Typically, Mickey's tail is very thin. Make it curve gently as it approaches his feet.
Finished.
Drawing Mickey Facing Forward
Draw a flat, horizontal oval in the center of the page for Mickey's nose. Start by sketching the tip of Mickey's nose. Create a slightly flattened oval in the middle of the page, resembling a symmetrical, horizontal egg shape.
- Begin from the center of Mickey's face to ensure the facial features are proportionally balanced.
- Since this method doesn't require erasing, you can use ink if you're confident in your lines. Otherwise, use a pencil and trace over it later for easier corrections.
Draw a curved line above and parallel to the nose, leaving a small gap. Sketch an arc that mirrors the top of the oval, positioned slightly above the nose. This will form the base of Mickey's eyes.
- Avoid making the arc longer than the oval, as this could make Mickey's eyes appear bulging.
Draw two elongated ovals above the curved line. When viewed from the front, the lower part of Mickey's eyes appears hidden beneath his nose. Sketch two equal ovals starting from the arc above the nose and extending upward.
- The bottom eighth of the ovals will disappear as you draw the eyes over the arc.
- Make the eye ovals narrower than the nose, stretching upward and placed close together.
Add pupils inside each eye. Draw the pupils at the bottom of the eye ovals. Start from the inner corner of each eye and extend to the middle, with the bottom quarter of each pupil hidden.
- The lower right of the left pupil and the lower left of the right pupil will be obscured.
Draw a simple smile with two small curves at the ends. Below the nose, sketch a wide smile with a single stroke. The smile should extend to the cheeks and reach the midpoint of the nose. Add two small perpendicular lines at the ends to create Mickey's iconic mouth.
- Make the curve similar to a basic smiley face.
Add a deeper U-shaped curve below the smile to open Mickey's mouth. To open Mickey's mouth, draw a deeper U-shaped curve starting slightly to the left of the nose and curving down to the centerline of the nose. Continue upward, extending slightly to the right of the nose.
- Draw the tongue at the bottom of the mouth using two upward convex curves connected in the middle.
Outline the facial features to define Mickey's face. Begin by drawing a continuous line around the eyes and mouth. Start from the bottom and loop around the rest of the face. Make the cheeks slightly puffy as you curve past the smiling corners of the mouth.
- Mickey sometimes has eyebrows, but this is optional. To add eyebrows, sketch two small arcs above each eye, midway between the face outline and the eyes.
Tip: Use a single continuous line to outline the face, looping around the eyes, cheeks, and the bottom of the mouth.
Add three lines on both sides of the face and the top of Mickey's head. Start near the puffed-out left cheek and draw a similar curve running from the cheek up to the midpoint between the eye and the face outline. Leave a small gap for the left ear, then continue drawing a line across the top of Mickey's head from the midpoint of one eye to the other. Leave another gap for the right ear, and finish with a symmetrical curve on the right side, descending to the puffed-out right cheek.
- Ensure equal spacing on both sides of the head to keep the ears symmetrical.
Draw two circles on the sides for the ears. Sketch each ear by starting at the end of the outer curve and drawing a circle that connects to the next curve. Leave a small gap at the base of the ear to create the illusion of three curves and two ears connected in one stroke.
- If you're skilled, you can draw this in one continuous stroke.
- If the ears end up oval-shaped, adjust the outline when coloring the ears and the back of the head.
Color the back of the head and ears black. Mickey's ears and the back of his head should be filled in with black. If coloring the rest, use red for the tongue and a skin tone for the face.
Finished.
What You'll Need
- Ink pen
- Pencil
- Paper
- Markers or colored pencils
