Meme Drawing: Step-by-Step Tutorial & Easy Ideas
Every good meme drawing starts the same way: the character’s two or three signature shapes, refined step by step into a finished piece. Below you'll find a complete step-by-step tutorial you can follow with any pencil and paper, plus easy meme drawing ideas — from quick five-minute doodles to more detailed studies.
- Difficulty Medium
- Time ~20 min
- Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
- Starts with the character’s two or three signature shapes
How to Draw a Meme Step by Step
Step 1 of 9
Head circle guide
Draw one large light circle filling most of the page for the head.
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Head circle guide
Draw one large light circle filling most of the page for the head.
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Bold head outline
Trace a rounded outline on the circle, flattening it slightly at the bottom for the jaw, then go over it again to make it bold.
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Two dot eyes
Add two small round dot eyes evenly spaced above the middle of the head.
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Exaggerated grin
Draw one wide exaggerated grin stretching almost the full width of the head, curving down in the middle.
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Teeth lines
Add five short vertical lines inside the grin to divide it into teeth.
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Thick eyebrows
Add one thick straight eyebrow above each eye, angled slightly toward the center.
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Creases and shading
Add two smile-crease lines beside the grin, one crease line on the forehead, and a shading line under the chin.
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Ink the lines
Go over every kept line with a second bold ink pass, then erase the light head circle guide.
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Color the face
Fill the head pale yellow-white, leave the grin white, and color the eyes and outline solid black.
Meme Drawing Ideas to Try Next
Once the basic meme clicks, run it through these variations — each one practices a different skill while staying on a subject you already know.
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Meme doing something mundane
Grocery shopping, waiting for the bus, doing taxes — the comedy of icons in ordinary life.
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Chibi Meme
Two-heads-tall version: giant head, tiny body, maximum cute — the most forgiving fan-art style.
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Meme in a different art style
Redraw the character as if another show's artist drew them — a style-study exercise fans love to see.
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Meme as a simple icon
Reduce the character to 3–4 shapes that still read instantly — a real design challenge.
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An expression sheet
The same face six times: happy, angry, shocked, smug, sleepy, crying — how professionals actually practice a character.
Tips for Better Meme Drawings
- Count heads: character proportions are deliberate design choices, and using the wrong head-count is why fan art looks "off" even when every feature is right.
- Likeness lives in the silhouette: if you fill your character drawing with solid black and it’s still recognizable, you’ve nailed it. If not, no amount of interior detail will save it.
Not feeling the meme today?
Let the generator pick your next subject — filtered by mood and difficulty.
🎲 Random Drawing GeneratorMeme Drawing FAQ
How do you draw a meme easily?
Start with the character’s two or three signature shapes, keeping your lines light. Refine the outline, add the defining details, then erase the construction shapes. The nine-step method above breaks this down — most people get a recognizable meme on their very first try with it.
How long should it take to draw a meme?
A simple meme drawing takes about 20 minutes following this tutorial. A quick doodle version can be done in two or three minutes, while a detailed, fully-shaded study might take an hour. Speed comes with repetition — the second attempt is always faster than the first.
What supplies do I need for meme drawings?
Just a pencil, an eraser, and any paper. An HB pencil for construction lines and a 2B for final outlines is a nice upgrade, and colored pencils or markers finish it off — but nothing on this page requires special supplies.
Can kids draw a meme?
Yes — the meme is very manageable once you use construction shapes, and this method was written for first-timers. Kids can follow the same steps; just expect wobblier lines and more charm.
