Learn now how to draw your very own collared shirt in cartoon style. You only need a blank sheet of paper and some pencils.
Video Tutorial
Click on the play button below to start the video:
Step-by-Step Instructions
If you are on the hunt for a look which is both smart and casual, allows you to have fun and move about, and has a rich and vibrant history, the humble collared shirt could be the answer to your prayers. The term was first coined by F. Scott Fitzgerald in his novel, This Side of Paradise, with the outfit entering pop culture in the 70’s – and never leaving.
The simple t-shirt has become a staple in wardrobes across the world, and this means that knowing how to draw one is an essential skill for any artist. Read on for everything you need to know, and get to work learning to draw this essential item!
1.
Begin by drawing a balloon-like shape right in the middle of your page with a graphite pencil, with the string of the balloon starting at the “knot”, and heading downwards around half an inch (1.3 cm).
2.
Move back to the knot at the bottom of your shape, and draw two wavy lines emerging from this spot, spreading out on either side of the balloon.
3.
Go to the edges of the wavy lines you just created, and draw a long, wavy line heading up to meet the top of the balloon on both sides. This will be the collar of your shirt, so make sure that the shape you create is wider at the bottom, and moves up to become narrower as you reach the top.
4.
Head back to the “string” of the balloon. Start on the right hand side, at the bottom of the line, and draw a short line 90 degrees to the right. Then, draw another curved line 90 degrees up, and connect the one to the bottom of the collar. This last line should be parallel with the string, and follow the same curve. You will have created a “block” shape. Next, head to the left hand side of the string, and move up just a hair. Draw a curved line connecting the string to a point around half an inch (1.3 cm) from the inner right corner of the collar.
5.
Add some buttons by making small circles in the right hand side of the “block” you have just created.
6.
Return to the top curve of your original “balloon”, and draw another line just inside this, making sure it is parallel with the top line.
7.
Now onto the arms of the shirt. Move to the point where the edges of the collar begin to curve upwards, and draw a smooth, curved line on either side, pointing downwards. End the line approximately level with the buttons. These will become your shoulders!
8.
On the left hand side, add another curved line, moving down just before the point where the shoulder begins to slope downwards. This line should curve gently inwards, and then begin to flare back out as you reach the bottom of the page.
9.
Repeat this on the other side, reversing the curve so that you are left with an “hourglass” shape between the two lines.
10.
Join the two lines at the bottom with a straight, smooth line.
11.
Now, return to the “shoulder” you made earlier, and add a sleeve – continue the line of the shoulder downwards for just over an inch (2.5 cm), and then continue the line across to the left at a 45 degree angle. The bottom of this line should stop just short of the “body”, and you can use a shorter line to complete the shape. Then, add a small band to the bottom.
12.
Repeat this sleeve on the other side, so that you have a complete outline.
13.
Time for a little detail! Add a pocket to the right hand side of the shirt by drawing a small, upside down semicircle shape on the chest.
14.
Add a band to the top of this by drawing a line parallel to the straight line at the top…
15.
And get creative with color! Start by filling in most of the shirt with a cyan-colored pencil – leave a line around the edges blank, along with the pocket, sleeve bands and buttons. On the collar of the shirt, shade blue around the very edges, and leave the inside space blank.
16.
Add a darker blue to the sleeve bands with a blue pencil – leave a small square blank at the left hand side of both bands – and then fill in the rest of the color with the same darker blue.
17.
Add the same cyan shade to the space inside the neck of the collar with the cyan-colored pencil…
18.
And the darker blue to the band on the front pocket!
19.
Color the buttons with a yellow pencil.
20.
Finish up by adding some tonal shading to the pocket, the end of the sleeve bands, and the right hand edge of the shirt, and spend some time softening and smoothing your edges, allowing all of the colors to blend together.
It really is that simple! In just a few short steps, you have learned everything you need to know about crafting the perfect collared shirt. Whether you are bringing a character to life, sketching the fashion lines of the future, or simply working your way through the wardrobe, the collared shirt is the perfect place to start.
