Ocean · A drawing idea for little artists
How to Draw a cartoon octopus: Round Head and Short Curled Arms
Explore cartoon octopus through four selected drawing stages. Focus on round head and short curled arms and a textured crayon finish.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 4 pictures show selected moments from the drawing. For every step in between and a guide on your canvas, get the full lesson in LittlePaper.
What you will learn
Practice cartoon octopus with attention to round head and short curled arms.
Shapes and proportions
Keep the head broad above the compact curling arms and place the face low on the head.
A common mistake
Long thin arms change the compact cartoon silhouette.
How to fix it
Compare arm length with head height before curving their tips inward.
This cartoon octopus study focuses on round head and short curled arms. Keep the head broad above the compact curling arms and place the face low on the head. The exercise is about keeping these visible shapes readable before adding small marks or color.
These are four selected stages, not a complete stroke-by-stroke sequence. Blue guide lines mark additions in the source images. Compare the pictures for the overall shape changes; use the complete LittlePaper lesson for the smaller steps between them.
A few things to start with
Paper, a pencil and crayons matching the example. Leave room around the drawing for proportion checks before making the outlines darker.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 4
Selected stages · The complete drawing sequence is in the app.
Shapes, character & color
A look at the drawing stages.
Try the shape tips below on paper. When you’re ready to draw along with each small step, continue in LittlePaper.
- 01Selected stage
Selected stage 2: early shapes
This picture shows source stage 2 of 5 for cartoon octopus, not the next single stroke. Keep the head broad above the compact curling arms and place the face low on the head. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 2: early shapes · Preview image 1 of 4 - 02Selected stage
Selected stage 3: building the outline
This picture shows source stage 3 of 5 for cartoon octopus, not the next single stroke. Compare arm length with head height before curving their tips inward. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 3: building the outline · Preview image 2 of 4 - 03Selected stage
Complete outline: round head and short curled arms
Compare the finished cartoon octopus outline with the earlier selected stages. Long thin arms change the compact cartoon silhouette. Compare arm length with head height before curving their tips inward.
Complete outline: round head and short curled arms · Preview image 3 of 4 - 04Selected stage
Crayon color: pink, cream white
Use the colored cartoon octopus example to compare the palette after checking the outline. The visible palette includes pink, cream white. Keep repeated parts consistent and let small light flecks preserve the crayon texture.
Crayon color: pink, cream white · Preview image 4 of 4
A little practice goes a long way
Make room for your own ideas.
The example uses pink, cream white. Keep matching limbs and repeated parts in a consistent palette. Use light overlapping crayon strokes so the inner outlines stay visible. Compare arm length with head height before curving their tips inward.
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “Octopus Cartoon Drawing” drawing idea in LittlePaper for the complete sequence. Follow a guide, pause when you need, and add your own colors.
Download LittlePaper from the App Store, then open the drawing idea inside the app.
Every step, at your pace.
See the full drawing sequence. Pause, replay, and take another look whenever a shape needs practice.
A guide where you draw.
Trace on the canvas, then try your own lines with a finger or Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.
Make it yours. Keep the making.
Add crayon color, replay your creation, and give your picture a home in a digital 3D book.
