A yellow body. A few brown patches. A very long neck. A simple step-by-step drawing tutorial featuring a giraffe cartoon that can easily be done using any vector software! Although it requires that you must be comfortable with vector drawing, this drawing lesson should not cause you any major problem if you follow all steps carefully.
If you know how to create simple shapes, how to use the gradient tool and how to apply nice transparency effects, then you will be able to go through this entire drawing lesson in no time! Don't hesitate to start all over until you are 100% satisfied with your result. It's worth it!
Important note: For each step available below, the first image represents the operation you must perform for this particular step. All changes are surrounded by a red outline.
On the second image, you will have the opportunity to see the result of this particular step.
First, use the drawing tools to create the shape of your character. Using only a few basic black lines can be enough for now. Once you are finished, apply basic colors on all parts of the animal. Notice that all outlines are now gone.
Next, select the ears, the body, the legs and the tail and apply a gradient effect to every shape. The bottom of each shape must be darker since the light is coming from above. You can also select the two holes used to create the nose and apply some transparency on the bottom of both shapes.
Continue your work with the gradient tool. This time, select the eyes, the inside of the ears, the mouth, the patches and the tail. For the eyes, use a circular fill and make sure that the middle of the shape is white.
Create six circles and use two of these circles to create patches around the eyes of your giraffe cartoon. The other four circles must be white and applied on the eyes and the pupils.
Duplicate the feet of the animal and scale the new shapes to make them slightly smaller. Color these new shapes in white and use the transparency tool to hide the bottom.
In this step, you must create three new shapes to form shadows below the jaw, the neck and above the back leg. Keep a small space between each new shape and the border of the old shapes.
Finally, complete your work on the giraffe cartoon by adding two large shapes that will be colored in white. Use the transparency tool to hide the inside part of each shape. That's it! Your cartoon animal is now finished and ready to be displayed! :)
If you like cute 2D animated movies, then check out my new Youtube channel! New movies will be added throughout the years featuring adorable characters trapped in funny situations! Enjoy! :)