Whether you're a lifelong Pokemon fan or discovering the franchise for the first time, drawing your favorite Pokemon is an exciting way to dive deeper into the world you love. The good news? Many of the most iconic and beloved Pokemon are surprisingly beginner-friendly to draw. From the electric powerhouse Pikachu to the mighty Charizard, we've curated a guide to the most popular Pokemon drawing tutorials on We Draw Animals - organized so you can start with the easiest ones and progress at your own pace.
1. Pikachu (The Icon Everyone Wants to Draw)
If there's one Pokemon that defines the entire franchise, it's Pikachu. The good news is that this electric mouse is absolutely perfect for beginners. Head to our Pikachu drawing tutorial to see how approachable this iconic character really is.
Pikachu's design is intentionally simple: a round head, pointed ears, a stocky body, and that signature tail. The distinguishing features - the red cheeks and black ear tips - are easy to add and instantly make your drawing recognizable. There's no complex anatomy to master here, just pure, iconic charm.
Why it works: Pikachu's simplicity is its greatest strength. The character was designed to be endearing and approachable, which translates perfectly into a beginner-friendly drawing subject. If you nail the ears and the cheeks, you've essentially nailed the entire character.
Practical tip: The red cheeks are circular and should be fairly large. Don't hold back - the bigger the cheeks, the cuter and more authentically Pikachu your drawing becomes. These circles do a lot of heavy lifting in terms of making your character look correct.
2. Charmander (The Starter That's Pure Charm)
Charmander is the fire-type starter that wins hearts instantly, and drawing it is a delight. Visit our Charmander tutorial to see how this reptilian friend comes together in just 7 easy steps.
Charmander uses simple rounded shapes for the body, stubby legs, and a straightforward head. The character's most distinctive feature - the flame on its tail - is what makes it truly special. That tail flame is simple to draw (just a curved, pointed shape) but adds incredible personality to your finished work.
Why it works: Charmander's chubby proportions make it forgiving. Slightly off proportions just make it look cuter. The flame tail is the star of the show, so if you nail that detail, the whole drawing feels complete even if other parts aren't perfectly refined.
Practical tip: The flame should feel lively and slightly imperfect. Sketch it lightly first, then add some color or shading to make it glow. The impression of light and heat in that tiny tail transforms the whole drawing from "nice sketch" to "really captures Charmander's spirit."
3. Bulbasaur (The Grass-Type with Built-In Details)
Bulbasaur looks more complex than it actually is, which makes it a perfect next-level Pokemon to draw once you've completed Pikachu or Charmander. Check out our Bulbasaur drawing tutorial to see how the bulb on its back transforms a simple design into something that feels sophisticated.
Bulbasaur's body is basically a squat toad shape with four short legs. The magic happens when you add the bulb sprouting from its back. That bulb - with its curved ridges and leaf details - looks complex but is actually quite straightforward to draw step-by-step. The tutorials break it down perfectly.
Why it works: Bulbasaur teaches you how to layer details onto a simple base shape. The body is easy; the bulb is forgiving because curved, organic shapes don't need to be perfect to look right. You're building real drawing skills while working on a character that feels achievable.
Practical tip: Pay attention to where the bulb sits on the back. It should feel planted and natural, not floating. The leaves supporting the bulb should feel organic and slightly irregular. Real plants aren't perfectly symmetrical, so neither should your leaves - and that works in your favor.
4. Haunter (The Ghost with Personality)
Haunter is surprisingly easy to draw once you understand that its gaseous body thrives on loose, expressive lines. Our Haunter drawing tutorial shows you how just 5 steps can create this spooky favorite.
Haunter's body is essentially a floating purple cloud with two detached hands, a pointed face, and spike-like features on either side. The character's ethereal nature means you don't have to worry about anatomical accuracy - wavy, wispy lines are exactly what this Pokemon needs.
Why it works: The ghost aesthetic gives you permission to be loose and imperfect. Shaky lines, irregular edges, and flowing curves all enhance the creepy, ghostly vibe rather than detracting from it. This is liberating for beginners who worry about precision.
Practical tip: Use flowing, continuous lines to define Haunter's gaseous body. Don't try to make it perfectly symmetrical - the asymmetry actually adds to the ghostly, unsettling feeling. The spikes on the sides should feel sharp and menacing, so let your pencil move with confidence.
5. Omastar (The Fossil Pokemon That Looks Harder Than It Is)
Omastar might look intimidating, but this water-type fossil Pokemon teaches you a valuable lesson: distinctive features carry the drawing. Our Omastar tutorial accomplishes it in just 5 steps.
Omastar's basic structure is a spiral shell with a creature peeking out from the opening. The distinctive features - the sharp teeth, the tentacle-like arms, and the spiral shell pattern - are what make this Pokemon instantly recognizable. Once you add these details, the drawing feels complete.
Why it works: The shell spiral is actually easier to draw than you'd expect - it's just curved lines. The tentacles and teeth add personality without requiring photorealistic detail. You're learning that a few well-placed distinctive features matter far more than rendering everything perfectly.
Practical tip: The spiral shell is your anchor. Get that spiral curve right, and the rest falls into place. The sharp teeth should feel menacing and aggressive. A few strong lines in the right places convey far more than trying to shade every tooth individually.
6. Gloom (Cute and Quirky)
Gloom is proof that you don't need to draw the most powerful Pokemon to create something charming and memorable. Visit our Gloom tutorial for a character that's delightfully odd.
Gloom's design is wonderfully weird - a creature with flowers growing from its head, droopy eyes, and that characteristic drooling expression. The 7-step tutorial guides you through building this quirky character, and the process teaches you about adding personality through expression and unusual proportions.
Why it works: Gloom's strange design is actually an advantage. Proportions that would look wrong on a realistic animal look perfect on Gloom. The droopy, exhausted expression is the heart of the character, and getting that expression right matters far more than anatomical accuracy.
Practical tip: The flower on Gloom's head is the focal point. Make sure it's large enough to be a genuine feature, not an afterthought. The petals don't need to be identical - variation makes it look more natural. Spend time on the eyes and expression; that's where Gloom's personality lives.
Level Up Your Pokemon Art with These Pro Tips
Start with Iconic Characters
The most popular Pokemon are popular for a reason - they're visually distinctive and memorable. Start with characters that speak to you emotionally. Your passion for the character will shine through in your drawing.
Understand the Type, Understand the Character
Fire-types like Charmander tend to have bold, aggressive lines. Water-types like Omastar are often rounded and flowing. Grass-types like Bulbasaur blend organic and curved elements. Understanding the character's "essence" helps you draw with confidence and capture what makes them special.
Distinctive Features Are Your Secret Weapon
Every popular Pokemon has one or two features that make it instantly recognizable: Pikachu's cheeks, Charmander's tail flame, Bulbasaur's bulb, Haunter's spike-hands, Omastar's shell, Gloom's flower. Focus your effort there. The viewer's brain fills in the rest.
Reference the Games and Show
Keep images from the official Pokemon games or anime nearby as you draw. See how the character moves, what proportions matter most, and what details the official designs emphasize. This gives you a visual foundation that makes your drawing stronger.
Color Makes All the Difference
Your black-and-white sketch might feel incomplete. Don't be shy about adding color. Pikachu's yellow, Charmander's orange flame, Bulbasaur's green and blue - color instantly transforms a sketch into a finished piece. Even basic colored pencils create stunning results.
Draw the Evolution Line
Once you've mastered Charmander, try Charmeleon and Charizard. Once you're comfortable with Bulbasaur, draw Ivysaur and Venusaur. Seeing how Pokemon evolve teaches you about proportions, anatomy shifts, and how to redesign characters while keeping them recognizable.
Your Pokemon Journey Starts Now
There are hundreds of Pokemon to draw, and We Draw Animals has tutorials for so many of them. The most popular ones we've highlighted here are perfect starting points because they're beginner-friendly, visually striking, and deeply beloved by fans.
Begin with Pikachu if you want pure confidence and joy. Move to Charmander or Bulbasaur to explore different types and design philosophies. Try Haunter when you want to work with looser, more expressive lines. Challenge yourself with Omastar and Gloom to discover that even unusual-looking Pokemon are achievable.
Each tutorial breaks the process into bite-sized steps, so you're never overwhelmed. And here's the real secret: every Pokemon you draw makes you a better artist. You'll discover new techniques, develop confidence in your linework, and understand proportions more deeply with each character you complete.
Grab your pencil, pick your first Pokemon, and let's catch 'em all - one drawing at a time. Your Pokemon art adventure awaits!