How to Draw a Mouse

Mice have been a cartoon staple for over 100 years. From familiar characters such Mickey Mouse and Tom and Jerry, to many others – the rats of NIHM, the Great Mouse Detective, and the Rescuers, just to name a few – these cute creatures have captured our hearts and our imaginations.

Would you like to be able to draw a cartoon mouse? Use this step-by-step tutorial to learn to draw your very own cute mouse cartoon. This mouse’s large, expressive eyes endow it with a sense of visual depth and emotion.

Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.

What will you need to begin? You will need only a few supplies – a piece of paper and a writing implement, such as a pencil, markers, or a pen. After you’ve finished, you may color in your mouse to truly bring your sketch to life.

In the illustrated guide below, the new marks in each step are highlighted in blue. Sketch lightly at first, as you will be erasing some of your early marks as you go along. Once you have mastered this mouse, why not experiment with changing the position of his head, arms, or tail. Soon, you will be able to use your mouse cartoon for any project you may desire.

If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Rat, Elephant, and Baby Dragon.

Watch 'How to Draw a Mouse Video Tutorial

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Mouse

Begin by drawing a circle.

To the left of the circle, draw a curved line, sloping downward.

Draw a similar line on the right side.

Erase the guidelines formed by the original circle, leaving open spots on the top and bottom.

Draw the ears using two curved lines. To create depth, one ear will be much larger and more rounded than the other.

Detail the inside of the ears using four curved lines – one on the far ear and three on the near ear.

Give your mouse some hair. Use four lines to draw two curved triangles between the ears.

Erase the guidelines from within the hair.

Use a long, curved line to form the mouse’s neck and body.

Begin to shape the mouse’s upper leg using two curved lines within the body shape, bringing these to a point at the bottom.

Draw the feet. Use one curved line to form each foot. The feet will be shaped like half ovals.

Draw the arms using two curved lines. The arms hang downwards from the middle of the body.

Erase the guideline from within the left arm.

Add detail to your mouse’s toes. On each hand and foot, use two short, curved lines to separate the hand into three fingers and the foot into three toes.

Draw the tail using two long, curving lines. Each line will be shaped like a loose letter “S,” and the lines will meet in a point behind the mouse’s head.

Draw the nose at the tip of the snout. The nose should be an irregular circular, slightly pointed on the right and bottom.

Draw the eye by placing a large circle in the middle of the head.

Give your mouse whiskers. First, draw three dots below the nose. Then, use two long curving lines to extend whiskers from the face, near the dots. Use two shorter curved lines to place whiskers on the far side of the face.

Draw the pupil of the eye. Begin with a slightly smaller circle within the large eye circle. Draw two small ovals on opposite sides of the pupil, one larger than the other. Shade the pupil.

Complete your mouse with color. A suggested color scheme involves shading the mouse in brown or gray, and coloring the inside of the ears pink.