DrawRabbitDrawing guide · Cats
How to draw a cat in a box
Smudge has found a cardboard box and climbed right in. In 22 easy steps you’ll draw a fluffy kitten peeking out of a box, using a pencil and paper: a circle and two triangles to start, then the box and soft shading.
How do you draw a cat in a box?
To draw a cat in a box, start light: a big circle for the head, a cross to place the face, two tall triangles for the ears, two small circles for the paws and a slanted shape for the front of the box. Draw the ears and the fluffy top of the head, then the cheeks in little zigzags so she looks fluffy, and the chin resting on the edge of the box. Add the lines inside the ears, two big round eyes on the cross line, a small nose and a smiling mouth, and three long whiskers on each side. Draw the paws hooked over the box. Then the box, lighter than the kitten: the front flap, the big flap on the right, the back edge, a small flap and the walls. Rub out the guides, go over the kitten, and shade inside the box most of all: it’s the darkest part of the picture. It takes 22 easy steps with a pencil, paper and an eraser.
You need a pencil, paper and an eraser22 stepsBeginner
Draw a cat in a box, step by step
In colour: what to draw nowGrey: already drawn
Draw everything in pencil, lightly at first. Save all 22 steps to Pinterest
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Step 1 of 22Guide lines
Head guides
Smudge has found a cardboard box and climbed right in. Start light: a big circle for her head, a cross to place her face, and two tall triangles for the ears.
Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 12.
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Step 2 of 22Guide lines
Paw and box guides
Two small circles for her paws, resting on the box. Then a long slanted shape for the front of the box. Keep guides faint, they only help you place things.
Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 12.
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Step 3 of 22
Ears and top of the head
Now the real lines. Up the left ear to its tip and down the other side, then along the fluffy top of her head and round the right ear.
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Step 4 of 22
The fluffy cheeks
Down the right side of her face in little zigzags, then the left, so she looks fluffy. Then her chin, a soft furry line resting along the box edge.
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Step 5 of 22
Inside the ears
A line inside each ear, following its shape, with a zigzag of fur at the bottom. Then a few long, light hairs sweeping down from each ear.
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Step 6 of 22
The eyes
Two big round eyes on the cross line. In each, a tall oval pupil first, then the round eye about it, and a little circle for the glint. Just outlines for now.
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Step 7 of 22
Nose and mouth
A small rounded nose on the centre line, a short line down, and a curve either side for her smile. Then a tiny arc above the nose.
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Step 8 of 22
The whiskers
Three long whiskers on each side, swept out from her cheeks: the left ones, then the right. Light, quick lines; it doesn't matter if they cross her paws.
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Step 9 of 22
The paws
Her paws hook over the box. Round the right one and over its top, then round the left and up its leg. Some fur behind the right, and two lines in each paw for toes.
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Step 10 of 22
The box's front
Now the box, kept lighter than Smudge. The front flap: down its right side, along the bottom and up the left, then the top edge under her paws.
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Step 11 of 22
Flaps and sides
The big flap on the right, from behind her head round to the corner, and its fold. The back edge and a small flap on the left. Then three lines down for the walls.
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Step 12 of 22
Erase the guides
Rub out the circles and guide lines. Smudge and her box stay.
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Step 13 of 22
Go over her head
Now press harder round Smudge: round the ears and over the top of her head, then down her fluffy cheeks to the chin.
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Step 14 of 22
Go over her paws
And round her paws. Leave the box light, so Smudge is the boldest thing on the page.
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Step 15 of 22
Shading the ears
Shading now, with the light from the left. A soft tone inside her ears, more in the right one, which is turned away from the light, and darker still at its tip.
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Step 16 of 22
Her shadow side
A soft tone down the right side of her face and under her paws. Keep the rest of her white; she's a pale kitten.
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Step 17 of 22
Inside the box
The inside of the box is the darkest part of the picture: shade the back corners firmly, the inside of the left flap, and the gap under her chin.
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Step 18 of 22
The right flap
A light, even tone on the big right flap, top half first.
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Step 19 of 22
The flap's lower half
Then the lower half, still light.
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Step 20 of 22
Under the front flap
A soft tone on the box just under the front flap, where it hangs over, and a darker strip down its right edge.
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Step 21 of 22
The box's shadow side
The box's right wall is in shadow: a soft, even tone, darkest up under the big flap.
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Step 22 of 22
The darks
Last of all, fill in the pupils, leaving the glints white. Now she looks very pleased with herself.
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Finished
Your finished cat in a box
That’s Smudge! Go over any lines you want darker, then sign your drawing in the corner.
In the DrawRabbit app
Smudge’s world has 9 more drawings
Every animal has a whole world of narrated drawings in DrawRabbit, each one a little story you draw with a real pencil and paper. The first drawing in every world is free.
Free to start · iPhone and iPad
The ball of wool
The sofa cushion
The window sill
Over the rooftops
Tips for a better cat in a box
A cross for the face
A cross on the head circle places the eyes on the line and the nose on the centre line.
Zigzags for fluff
Draw the cheeks in little zigzags, so she looks fluffy.
The box stays lighter
Draw the box lighter than the kitten, so she’s the boldest thing on the page.
Darkest inside the box
The inside of the box is the darkest part of the picture: shade its back corners firmly, and the gap under her chin.
Questions
Is a cat in a box easy to draw?
Yes. It starts with a circle, a cross for the face and two triangles for the ears, and the box is a few straight lines, so it comes together quickly.
What do I need?
A pencil, paper and an eraser. Draw the first steps lightly: the guide lines are rubbed out in step 12.
How do I make a cat look fluffy?
Draw the edges of the face in little zigzags instead of a smooth line, add a zigzag of fur inside each ear and a few long, light hairs sweeping out. Keep most of the fur white and shade only one side.
Can kids draw it?
Yes. It’s made for beginners of any age. If reading the steps is hard, the draw-along talks you through each line while it draws.
What is DrawRabbit?
A drawing app for iPhone and iPad: narrated, step-by-step lessons you follow with a real pencil and paper. 95 drawings in 10 worlds, free to start, no account needed.
