How to Draw a Cartoon Forest: Easy 20-Step Guide

Ready to build your own woodland world? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 6+ looking to master landscape composition. You’ll only need a pencil, an eraser, and some paper to bring this forest to life. Follow along to learn how to layer trees and create depth in your drawings.

20 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished cartoon forest illustration featuring multiple trees, rolling hills, and grass.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the First Trunk

A single curved line forming the base of a cartoon tree trunk on a white background.

Draw a gentle, curved line to outline the trunk of your first tree. Tip: Keep the curve soft to give the tree a natural, organic feel.

Step 2: Adding Roots and Branches

Adding root lines at the base and a Y-shaped branch structure at the top of the trunk.

Draw an 'S' shaped line for the roots and a 'Y' shape at the top for the branches. Tip: Don't worry about perfect symmetry; trees in nature are wonderfully irregular!

Step 3: Creating the Foliage

Drawing a cloud-like outline of rounded U-shapes to represent tree leaves.

Use a series of connected, rounded 'U' shapes to enclose the leaves. Tip: Vary the size of your 'U's to make the tree look fluffy and full.

Step 4: Establishing the Ground

Adding a horizontal curved line to define the ground level behind the tree.

Draw a curved line from the trunk to the edge of your paper to create the horizon. Tip: A gentle curve makes the ground look like a rolling hill.

Step 5: Adding Grass Tufts

Adding small, jagged grass tufts at the base of the tree trunk.

Draw small, sharp, pointed lines at the base of the tree to create grass. Tip: Make these lines different heights to keep it looking natural.

Step 6: Expanding the Landscape

Extending the ground line and adding more grass details to the landscape.

Add more grass and extend the ground line. Tip: Use long, sweeping curves to lead the eye across the page.

Step 7: Adding a Second Tree

Sketching a second tree trunk in the background to create depth.

Draw a second trunk in the background using parallel lines. Tip: Draw this one slightly smaller to show it is further away.

Step 8: Foliage for the Second Tree

Adding foliage to the second tree with overlapping rounded shapes.

Add the leaves using the same 'U' shape method. Tip: Let some of the 'U' shapes overlap the trunk to make it look like the branches are in front.

Step 9: Horizon Details

Adding a distant horizon line and small grass tufts to the background.

Draw a horizon line and more grass. Tip: Keep these lines faint so they don't distract from your main trees.

Step 10: Adding a Third Tree

Sketching a third tree trunk with a V-shaped branch split.

Draw another trunk with a checkmark-shaped branch split. Tip: Vary the height of your trees to make the forest look realistic.

Step 11: Foliage for the Third Tree

Adding foliage to the third tree using rounded shapes.

Enclose the leaves with 'U' shapes. Tip: Try to make this tree's shape slightly different from the others.

Step 12: Adding a Fourth Tree

Adding a fourth tree to the forest scene.

Repeat the trunk and foliage process for a fourth tree. Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light until you are happy with the placement.

Step 13: Adding a Fifth Tree

Sketching a fifth tree trunk with a sharp V-shaped branch.

Draw another trunk and a 'V' shaped branch. Tip: Use a 'V' shape for a sharper, more angular branch look.

Step 14: Background Hills and Bushes

Adding rolling hills and small bushes to the background of the forest.

Draw rolling hills and small bushes in the distance. Tip: Use smaller, tighter 'U' shapes for bushes to show they are further away.

Step 15: More Background Trees

Adding more distant tree trunks to fill out the background.

Add even more trees in the far distance. Tip: Just draw the tops of the trunks to suggest a dense forest.

Step 16: Layering Trees

Drawing overlapping tree trunks to create a sense of depth.

Add trees that look partially hidden behind others. Tip: This layering technique is the secret to making your drawing look 3D!

Step 17: Adding Undergrowth

Adding more bushes and undergrowth to the forest floor.

Fill in the gaps with more bushes. Tip: Use small, quick strokes to make the bushes look leafy.

Step 18: Final Ground Details

Adding detailed grass tufts in the foreground for final touches.

Add final grass tufts in the foreground. Tip: Make these the largest and most detailed to show they are closest to the viewer.

Step 19: Adding Bark Texture

Adding bark texture with small, swirling lines on the tree trunks.

Add swirling lines to the trunks to represent bark. Tip: Keep these lines thin and irregular to mimic real wood texture.

Step 20: Color Your Forest

The completed cartoon forest drawing, fully colored with greens and browns.

Bring your forest to life with color! Tip: Use light green for the leaves and brown for the trunks, adding a bit of darker brown on one side of the trunk to create a shadow effect.