Animals · A drawing idea for little artists

How to Draw a simple cat: Triangular Ears and a Curved Tail

Explore simple cat through four selected drawing stages. Focus on triangular ears and a curved tail and a textured crayon finish.

4 selected stagesSuggested ages 6–10Full lesson in LittlePaper

For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases

Colored simple cat with warm orange, green, warm red, cream white crayon texture
A little inspiration. Your colors next.Drawing preview from LittlePaper
A preview to try. A full lesson to draw along.

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 simple cat with attention to triangular ears and a curved tail.

Shapes and proportions

Combine a smooth seated body with pointed ears and a narrow curved tail.

A common mistake

Very large ears leave too little space for the forehead.

How to fix it

Mark the head width before raising the two ear tips.

This simple cat study focuses on triangular ears and a curved tail. Combine a smooth seated body with pointed ears and a narrow curved tail. 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
Simple cat, selected drawing stage 3 of 9, with source guide lines
Selected stage 3: early shapes

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.

  1. 01
    Selected stage

    Selected stage 3: early shapes

    This picture shows source stage 3 of 9 for simple cat, not the next single stroke. Combine a smooth seated body with pointed ears and a narrow curved tail. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.

    Simple cat, selected drawing stage 3 of 9, with source guide lines
    Selected stage 3: early shapes · Preview image 1 of 4
  2. 02
    Selected stage

    Selected stage 6: building the outline

    This picture shows source stage 6 of 9 for simple cat, not the next single stroke. Mark the head width before raising the two ear tips. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.

    Simple cat, selected drawing stage 6 of 9, with source guide lines
    Selected stage 6: building the outline · Preview image 2 of 4
  3. 03
    Selected stage

    Complete outline: triangular ears and a curved tail

    Compare the finished simple cat outline with the earlier selected stages. Very large ears leave too little space for the forehead. Mark the head width before raising the two ear tips.

    Complete simple cat outline showing triangular ears and a curved tail
    Complete outline: triangular ears and a curved tail · Preview image 3 of 4
  4. 04
    Selected stage

    Crayon color: warm orange, green, warm red, cream white

    Use the colored simple cat example to compare the palette after checking the outline. The visible palette includes warm orange, green, warm red, cream white. Keep repeated parts consistent and let small light flecks preserve the crayon texture.

    Colored simple cat with warm orange, green, warm red, cream white crayon texture
    Crayon color: warm orange, green, warm red, cream white · Preview image 4 of 4

A little practice goes a long way

Make room for your own ideas.

The example uses warm orange, green, warm red, cream white. Keep matching limbs and repeated parts in a consistent palette. Use light overlapping crayon strokes so the inner outlines stay visible. Mark the head width before raising the two ear tips.

The next little step is yours

Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.

Open the “How to Draw a Simple Cat” 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.

Another little idea

What will you make next?

A little beginning. A big “I did it.”

What will you
make today?

A drawing, a splash of color, a story.
Let the next little idea begin.

Find LittlePaper on the App Store For iPad & iPhone. Apple Pencil supported on compatible iPads.