Caroline
These days, it’s hard to imagine what it would have been like to share our earth with dinosaurs. While this may be the case, there are a few animals that make it a bit easier to imagine.
Alligators are one of these, and these incredible creatures feel like the closest link we have to the dinosaurs.
To celebrate these reptiles, we have prepared this guide on how to draw a cartoon alligator for you to enjoy!
By the end of this fun tutorial, you will know everything there is to know about creating a really creative cartoon interpretation of this animal.
Now you’re ready to begin this awesome step-by-step guide on how to draw a cartoon alligator in just 6 easy steps!
How to Draw A Cartoon Alligator – Let’s get Started!
Step 1
Alligators have a very distinct head and mouth shape, and we will be depicting it in this first step of our guide on how to draw a cartoon alligator.
First, use a rounded, wavy line for the top of the head. This line will serve as the area that surrounds the eyes we will be drawing later.
Then, we will be using several smaller curved lines connecting to one another for the wrinkly top of the alligator’s long mouth.
You can then draw the rounded snout, and then extend another slightly wavy line inward for the mouth.
Finish off this step by drawing the bottom outline of the long mouth and then add some small, sharp teeth at the tip.
Step 2 – Draw some facial features for the alligator
In this second step of the guide, we will be drawing some facial features for this cartoon alligator. First, we need to add some eyes for this guy!
Draw some oval shapes at the beginning of his mouth, and then draw some pupils using some smaller ovals within them.
Next, draw some more small, pointy teeth poking out of his mouth.
To conclude this step, you can then draw some small, round shapes at the end of his snout for some nostrils. You will then be ready to proceed to step 3 of the guide!
Step 3 – Now, draw the body for this alligator
We will be adding quite a lot to your cartoon alligator drawing in this third step! Mainly, we will be focusing on the body. First, we will draw the arm on the left.
This will have some curved lines at the base of the arm. The arm itself will be thin and rounded, and we will add two small yet pointy nails at the end of it.
Then, draw a line down from the bottom of the head for the chest of the alligator, and you will then draw the other arm poking out from behind it.
Finally, draw some spikes on the back of the neck, and then draw the large wavy tail poking out from the back.
This will also have small spikes on it, and then you will be ready to add more.
Step 4 – Draw the rest of the body
We will draw some final details in the next step of this guide on how to draw a cartoon alligator, but first we will finish off the outline of the body.
To do this, you can first draw a curvy line extending down from the chest for the stomach and base of the body.
The legs for this alligator will be rather small and rounded, and they will sit flat against the ground. Like the arms, they will also end in some large, pointy claws.
Finally, add the inner outline for the stomach area, and then add some small twisty lines to the knees. Then it’s on to those final details that we mentioned!
Step 5 – Now, add in the final details of this alligator drawing
You’re ready to add some final details and touches to your cartoon alligator drawing now, and then you will be able to add some colors in the final step.
You will also be able to add some personalized details and additions of your own in this step! First, let’s finish off those details.
You can make his belly look more textured by adding a series of horizontal curved lines across the belly as they appear in the reference image. Then, you can add some final touches of your own!
We think it would be a lot of fun to draw a background setting for this alligator. These animals can be found in all manners of environments, so you have a lot of options for where to put him.
You could also put him in some kind of funny situation, so what kind of setting would you choose?
Step 6 – Finish off your cartoon alligator drawing with some color
Now it’s time to finish off this cartoon alligator drawing with some colors! In our reference image, we showed you just one of the ways that you could go about coloring this cartoon alligator.
We used a dark green for the outer edges of his body, and then we used a much lighter shade of yellowish green for his belly.
These help to create a more realistic look for the alligator, but you should feel free to use any other colors you like!
It can also be fun to experiment with different art tools and mediums, and they can really help with achieving the color looks you are going for.
What colors and art tools will you use to bring this cartoon alligator to life?
Here’s how you can make your cartoon alligator drawing even better…
Take a bite out of these tips we have for your cartoon alligator sketch.
This drawing of a cartoon alligator is drawn in a simple standing pose. This looks great, but there are many other poses you could also depict!
For example, you could have the alligator flat on the ground or floating in some water. If you have lots of ideas for poses then you could make a few different variations for some variety.
What are some fun poses you could create for this cartoon alligator?
Another way you could show lots of different poses in this one image would be by adding some gator pals for this cartoon alligator. You could have a bunch of cartoon alligators hanging out for a fun scene.
The more you could make each one look distinct, the better! This would be a fantastic way to show off all of the cool poses and facial expressions you can think of.
The only question now is how many cartoon alligators would you like to add to this scene?
When you’ve added enough alligators to the scene, you could try adding some other animals to your cartoon alligator drawing. There would be so many different animals that you could add!
You could start by choosing any of your favorites. Then, maybe look up some photos of these animals to start with.
With these photos, you can then adapt them to a similarly cartoony style to this cartoon alligator. What are some animals you would like to hang out with this alligator?
Finally, adding a background would be a great way to finish off this cartoon alligator sketch. There are a few approaches you could take for this.
One would be to draw a realistic setting like a lake or river that this cartoon alligator could be in. Or, you could go for something a bit more fun and whimsical such as an animal birthday party.
Can you think of some cool settings for this cartoon alligator to be a part of?
Your Cartoon Alligator Drawing is Complete!
That brings you to the end of this guide on how to draw a cartoon alligator!
We hope that you liked the portrayal of an alligator that we created for you, and we also hope that it was fun and easy to replicate.
As long as you follow all of our steps and give it your best shot, we know you will be able to do it in no time!
You can then head onto our website for access to even more awesome drawing guides and other art goodies. We have a massive selection waiting for you, and more are on the way soon!
You can also show off how great this cartoon alligator drawing turned out by sharing it on our Facebook and Pinterest pages for us to admire.
