Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Introduction 00:00
Tips for Drawing Success 00:42
Cat Sketch A 03:18
Cat Sketch B 19:23
Being able to sketch your favorite animals freehand is incredibly rewarding—but it can also feel a bit intimidating, especially when you're just getting started.
Animal anatomy requires attention to proportion, structure, and detail, and it’s easy to feel unsure of where to begin.
In this video, I walk you through my full sketching process using two different cat references. I share essential tips you can apply to any animal drawing and demonstrate the same step-by-step approach for both sketches—starting with simple shapes and building up to layered graphite for depth and detail. 👩🎨
My goal is to help you feel more confident and comfortable sketching animals freehand—no tracing, no shortcuts, just mindful observation and solid fundamentals.
Happy sketching! 🐾✏️
► Join my Patreon school for immediate access to my exclusive tutorials, invitations to live sketching and watercolor classes, and much more:
patreon.com/erika_lancaster_artist
► Access my Drawing Mini-Course for the Total Beginner for Free here:
erikalancasterartist.kit.com/2a06aa492f
► Recommended Resources
-Essential Drawing Supplies Beginner Series youtu.be/LcVh24bibi8
-The Importance of Quick Sketch + Best Tips youtu.be/cwn-da8cBm8
-Drawing from Direct Observation: How to Start + Best Tips youtu.be/EgO3PzM53ag
-Sketching a Crow on Black Paper! youtu.be/vXVg4HGe_nI
-Pen and Ink Macaw Drawing Tutorial With Gouache Background youtu.be/Q-oAIeTpFtI
► Supplies:
-Strathmore Drawing Sketchbook 9x12" amzn.to/4kJIhcK
-Derwent Sketching Pencils Tin with 6 Grades amzn.to/3HAqXsq
-General’s Soft Graphite Eraser shrsl.com/4tcvk
-Mr. Pen Kneaded Eraser amzn.to/4cWkcfP
► Gear + Art Business Tools:
-Canon T6 EOS Rebel DSLR Camera
amzn.to/2Xt69HY
-Manfrotto 196B-2 143BKT 2-Section Single Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket (Black) amzn.to/2l7HJ8j
-Yeti Microphone amzn.to/3PtzE9G
-LED Lights for Video Filming amzn.to/45JPfrd
-MacBook Pro 16 inch amzn.to/3sFavQe
*Disclaimer: This channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is also a participant of Share-a-Sale, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for content creators to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
#howtodrawacat #drawingtechniques
Introduction 00:00
Tips for Drawing Success 00:42
Cat Sketch A 03:18
Cat Sketch B 19:23
Being able to sketch your favorite animals freehand is incredibly rewarding—but it can also feel a bit intimidating, especially when you're just getting started.
Animal anatomy requires attention to proportion, structure, and detail, and it’s easy to feel unsure of where to begin.
In this video, I walk you through my full sketching process using two different cat references. I share essential tips you can apply to any animal drawing and demonstrate the same step-by-step approach for both sketches—starting with simple shapes and building up to layered graphite for depth and detail. 👩🎨
My goal is to help you feel more confident and comfortable sketching animals freehand—no tracing, no shortcuts, just mindful observation and solid fundamentals.
Happy sketching! 🐾✏️
► Join my Patreon school for immediate access to my exclusive tutorials, invitations to live sketching and watercolor classes, and much more:
patreon.com/erika_lancaster_artist
► Access my Drawing Mini-Course for the Total Beginner for Free here:
erikalancasterartist.kit.com/2a06aa492f
► Recommended Resources
-Essential Drawing Supplies Beginner Series youtu.be/LcVh24bibi8
-The Importance of Quick Sketch + Best Tips youtu.be/cwn-da8cBm8
-Drawing from Direct Observation: How to Start + Best Tips youtu.be/EgO3PzM53ag
-Sketching a Crow on Black Paper! youtu.be/vXVg4HGe_nI
-Pen and Ink Macaw Drawing Tutorial With Gouache Background youtu.be/Q-oAIeTpFtI
► Supplies:
-Strathmore Drawing Sketchbook 9x12" amzn.to/4kJIhcK
-Derwent Sketching Pencils Tin with 6 Grades amzn.to/3HAqXsq
-General’s Soft Graphite Eraser shrsl.com/4tcvk
-Mr. Pen Kneaded Eraser amzn.to/4cWkcfP
► Gear + Art Business Tools:
-Canon T6 EOS Rebel DSLR Camera
amzn.to/2Xt69HY
-Manfrotto 196B-2 143BKT 2-Section Single Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket (Black) amzn.to/2l7HJ8j
-Yeti Microphone amzn.to/3PtzE9G
-LED Lights for Video Filming amzn.to/45JPfrd
-MacBook Pro 16 inch amzn.to/3sFavQe
*Disclaimer: This channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is also a participant of Share-a-Sale, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for content creators to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
#howtodrawacat #drawingtechniques
