How to Draw Totoro: Easy 10-Step Guide for Beginners

Bring the forest spirit to life with this simple drawing guide, perfect for artists ages 5 and up. You only need a pencil, an eraser, and a sheet of paper to get started. Follow these steps to build your character from basic shapes into a finished, lovable Totoro.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A friendly, finished illustration of Totoro, the forest spirit, ready for coloring.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Base Shapes

Pencil sketch showing a small circle for Totoro's head resting on a larger oval for the body.

Draw a light circle for the head and a larger oval for the body. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil strokes very light so you can easily erase these guidelines later!

Step 2: Defining the Silhouette

Totoro outline showing the head shape and the large belly patch being defined.

Draw a wide semicircle over the head circle and a rough oval inside the body shape to define his belly. Teacher's Tip: Use smooth, flowing motions to connect the shapes naturally.

Step 3: Adding the Arms

Totoro outline with guide lines removed and two rounded arms added to the sides.

Erase your original guide lines. Now, sketch two short, wide arms on the sides of the body. Teacher's Tip: Think of them as soft, rounded mittens.

Step 4: Drawing Claws and Feet

Detailed drawing of Totoro's hands with claws and large feet with toenails.

Add small triangles at the end of the arms for claws. Then, draw the large feet at the base of the body with tiny triangles for toenails. Teacher's Tip: Keep the toes rounded to maintain Totoro's soft, friendly look.

Step 5: Creating the Eyes

Close-up of Totoro's face showing two large, wide-set eyes with shaded pupils.

Draw two large circles on the face, then add smaller circles inside for the pupils. Shade the pupils in. Teacher's Tip: Placing the eyes wide apart makes him look surprised and curious!

Step 6: Facial Expressions

Totoro's face with added eyebrows, nose, and an open mouth showing teeth.

Sketch the pointed eyebrows, a small nose, and a wide, surprised mouth. Add vertical lines inside the mouth for teeth. Teacher's Tip: Use a light touch for the teeth so they don't look too sharp.

Step 7: Ears and Whiskers

Totoro's head with tall ears and whiskers added to the cheeks.

Draw two tall, rabbit-like ears on top of the head and three whiskers on each cheek. Teacher's Tip: Make the whiskers quick, flicking motions with your pencil for a natural look.

Step 8: Chest Markings

Totoro's chest featuring several boomerang-shaped patterns.

Add several curved, boomerang-shaped markings across his chest. Teacher's Tip: Vary the size of these shapes to make them look more organic.

Step 9: Adding Fur Texture

Totoro drawing with added fur texture using small, short lines along the edges.

Add small, short curved lines around the edges of his body to give him a fuzzy, furry texture. Teacher's Tip: Don't overdo it—a few lines go a long way!

Step 10: Bringing Totoro to Life with Color

Finished, colored drawing of Totoro with greyish-brown fur and a cream belly.

Color your Totoro using greyish-brown for his fur and a soft cream color for his belly. Teacher's Tip: Use light, circular coloring motions to keep the texture smooth.