Vehicles · A drawing idea for little artists
How to Draw a cartoon train: Smiling Boiler and Smoke Puffs
Explore cartoon train through four selected drawing stages. Focus on smiling boiler and smoke puffs 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 train with attention to smiling boiler and smoke puffs.
Shapes and proportions
Center the face inside the round boiler front and let smoke drift above the chimney.
A common mistake
A face extending outside the boiler front breaks the round form.
How to fix it
Reserve the circular front plane before drawing the eyes and mouth.
This cartoon train study focuses on smiling boiler and smoke puffs. Center the face inside the round boiler front and let smoke drift above the chimney. 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 8 for cartoon train, not the next single stroke. Center the face inside the round boiler front and let smoke drift above the chimney. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 2: early shapes · Preview image 1 of 4 - 02Selected stage
Selected stage 5: building the outline
This picture shows source stage 5 of 8 for cartoon train, not the next single stroke. Reserve the circular front plane before drawing the eyes and mouth. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 5: building the outline · Preview image 2 of 4 - 03Selected stage
Complete outline: smiling boiler and smoke puffs
Compare the finished cartoon train outline with the earlier selected stages. A face extending outside the boiler front breaks the round form. Reserve the circular front plane before drawing the eyes and mouth.
Complete outline: smiling boiler and smoke puffs · Preview image 3 of 4 - 04Selected stage
Crayon color: warm red, cream white, warm orange, blue-gray, soft gray
Use the colored cartoon train example to compare the palette after checking the outline. The visible palette includes warm red, cream white, warm orange, blue-gray, soft gray. Keep repeated parts consistent and let small light flecks preserve the crayon texture.
Crayon color: warm red, cream white, warm orange, blue-gray, soft gray · Preview image 4 of 4
A little practice goes a long way
Make room for your own ideas.
The example uses warm red, cream white, warm orange, blue-gray, soft gray. Keep matching limbs and repeated parts in a consistent palette. Use light overlapping crayon strokes so the inner outlines stay visible. Reserve the circular front plane before drawing the eyes and mouth.
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “Draw a Cartoon Train” 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.
