A pencil drawing course for people who love their cat
You can draw your cat. Tonight.
Twenty step-by-step lessons take you from your very first line to a pencil portrait of your own cat. No talent required, just a pencil and a little patience.
Instant PDF download in US Letter and A4. Print it or draw from your tablet.
You've tried. It came out looking like a potato.
You look at your cat curled up on the sofa and think, I'd love to draw that. Then the head comes out too big, the eyes land in the wrong place, and the fur turns into a scribble.
It isn't you. Most tutorials jump from three circles to a finished masterpiece, or keep you drawing cubes for weeks before you're allowed near anything you care about.
Every lesson here shows all eight steps, one layer at a time, in the order an artist draws them. Each picture is the one before plus one new thing. If you can copy the difference, you can finish the drawing.
Eight steps, one layer at a time
This is Lesson 1, The Cat Loaf, exactly as it appears in the book.
Start with shapes
Steps 1–2. Every cat begins as a few light circles and ovals.
Build the structure
Steps 3–4. Outline and face, still light and easy to fix.
Bring it to life
Steps 5–7. Markings, fur and a first layer of tone.
Finish with depth
Step 8. Darker values and a soft shadow make it feel real.
Then do it with your own cat
The last lesson and the "Draw Your Own Cat" section show you how to take a photo of your cat and turn it into a portrait with the same eight steps: choosing the right photo, finding the shapes, using a grid, and mapping your cat's coat.
That's the whole point of the book. The tabby, the Siamese and the Maine Coon are practice. Your cat is the goal.
What's inside
68 pages, 20 lessons in three levels, and everything you need around them.
Level 1, Kitten
6 lessons
The Cat Loaf, The Sitting Cat, The Sleeping Curl, The Cat Face, The Peeking Cat and The Sitting Tabby. Your first real cat drawing in a single evening.
Level 2, Cat
8 lessons
The Big Stretch, Grooming, The Walk, Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon, The Black Cat and Calico in a Basket. Movement, breeds, long fur, dark coats and patterns.
Level 3, Master
6 lessons
Eyes That Look Back, The Kitten Portrait, Looking Up, On the Windowsill, Best Friends, and Draw Your Cat.
Also in the book
- Fundamentals: light lines and final lines, the pressure scale, construction shapes and cat proportions
- Five reference sheets: eyes, ears and noses, paws and tails, fur textures, coat patterns
- The "Draw Your Own Cat" method, from photo to portrait
- Four practice pages with faint guide shapes to draw on
- A progress tracker and a "Certified Purrtrait Artist" certificate
Who it's for
- Cat people who've always wanted to draw but think they "can't"
- Beginners tired of tutorials that skip the hard part
- Hobby artists looking for a calm, screen-free evening ritual
- Anyone who wants to give a hand-drawn portrait of a friend's cat
Looking for cartoon or kawaii cats? This isn't that book. It's semi-realistic graphite drawing: charming, but grown-up.
What you need
An HB, a 2B and a 4B pencil, an eraser and some paper. That's all, and it costs less than a takeaway coffee.
Get the book
Start with the book, or add companion packs that use the same eight-step method.
Already have the book? Get a single pack for $9: Holidays, Breeds or the Practice Pack.
Questions
I've never drawn anything. Is this really for me?
Yes. Level 1 was designed for complete beginners. The first lesson starts with two simple shapes, and each step adds just one thing.
What format is it?
A PDF in two sizes, US Letter and A4. Print the lessons you want, or keep it open on a tablet or laptop next to your sketchbook.
How long does a lesson take?
30 to 45 minutes for the first lessons, and up to two hours for the final portrait.
Can I really draw my own cat?
That's the whole point. Lesson 20 and the "Draw Your Own Cat" section walk you through it, starting from a photo.
Are the illustrations hand-drawn?
The lesson illustrations were created with the help of AI image tools, then selected, edited and arranged into step-by-step lessons. The method, the explanations and the order of the steps are what teach you, and your drawings will be entirely yours.
Will I get a physical book?
No, it's a digital download. You'll get the files by email right after purchase.
Can I share it?
The book is for your personal use. Print as many copies as you like for yourself.
Your cat is right there. Grab a pencil.
Try it for 30 days. Draw the first lesson tonight. If the book doesn't help you draw a better cat, email us within 30 days and we'll refund you.
Get the book for $15Not ready yet? Get the free mini guide, your first cat drawing in 8 steps.