How to Draw a Typewriter

1. Begin the typewriter outline by drawing a curved rectangle. This will become the keyboard. Use long curved lines and straight lines to enclose the cubelike shape around it.

2. Draw two ovals above the rectangle. Draw vertical straight lines below them, and connect the lines to form two small cylinders.

These are the ribbon spools that hold the ribbons of ink. Then, use curved lines between the cylinders and to extend the sides of the typewriter.

3. Across the back of the typewriter, draw straight lines with a shape like the top of a letter "H" in the middle.

Draw half-circles above and below the "H" and a trapezoid on top of it all. Draw straight lines at the front of the typewriter and small ovals on the tops of the spools.

4. Use curved lines to draw the rectangular shape of a piece of paper going through the typewriter. On each side, draw layers of a cylinder. This is called the platen roller.

5. Use curved lines to enclose shapes behind the roller and an "L" shaped level called the carriage return at one end.

Then, draw parallel curved lines in the space between the spools. Draw lines or bent lines between them. These are the typebars that rise to print letters on the paper.

6. Continue filling the typebar space with parallel lines. Then, begin filling the keyboard with oval-shaped keys. Draw a curved line across each one to give it a three-dimensional appearance.

7. Draw a long rectangle at the bottom of the keyboard to indicate the spacebar. Then, finish filling the keyboard with ovals and drawing a curved line across each one.

8. Draw straight, diagonal lines between the keys. Then, draw vertical lines to indicate the bars on which the keys are set.

9. Finish drawing lines between and below the keys. Detail the front of the typewriter with a long line basically parallel to its sides and top. Then, draw long and short lines on the paper to indicate words that have been typed. If you want, you can write a message instead.

Your cartoon typewriter outline is now complete. Color your drawing. Typewriters were often black, but could also be painted green, white, or other colors.