How to Draw Oscar the Grouch: Easy 10-Step Guide

Bring everyone's favorite grumpy Muppet to life with this easy drawing tutorial. Designed for ages 5 and up, this activity requires only a pencil, paper, and an eraser. Follow these steps to master Oscar's signature scowl and his iconic trash can home.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A colorful, finished illustration of Oscar the Grouch popping out of his trash can.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Trash Can Lid

Pencil sketch of a circular trash can lid with a handle on top.

Draw the lid of Oscar's trash can, which sits like a hat above his head. Use a curved line for the rim and a small rectangle on top for the handle. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil lines light so you can easily adjust the shape if it looks a bit lopsided.

Step 2: Defining the Furry Face

Sketch of a circular, jagged-edged face shape for Oscar the Grouch.

Outline Oscar's circular face using short, jagged strokes. Teacher's Tip: Don't worry about making it a perfect circle—Oscar is a messy Muppet, so a little bit of 'fuzz' in your line work actually makes him look more authentic!

Step 3: Adding the First Arm

Drawing the first arm of the character using short, curved lines.

Draw the first arm using a series of short, curved lines to create a 'C' shape. Teacher's Tip: Think of this as a soft, furry tube. Keep the lines slightly bumpy to maintain that Muppet texture.

Step 4: Sketching the Second Arm

Sketching the second arm and hand with pointed fingers.

Draw the second arm and hand, ensuring the fingers have pointed, slightly messy tips. Teacher's Tip: Muppet hands are expressive! Make sure the fingers look a bit curled to show Oscar is holding onto the edge of his can.

Step 5: Drawing the Unibrow

Drawing a large, bushy unibrow across the forehead.

Draw Oscar's iconic, bushy unibrow using curved lines that meet at pointed tips. Teacher's Tip: This is the most important part of his expression! Make it look thick and heavy to capture his grumpy personality.

Step 6: Eyes and Mouth Details

Adding eyes with pupils and a wide mouth with a heart-shaped tongue.

Add the eyes with shaded pupils and a wide 'U' shaped mouth. Don't forget the small heart-shaped tongue inside! Teacher's Tip: Use a darker pencil for the pupils to make his eyes pop against the green fur.

Step 7: Constructing the Trash Can

Sketching the body of the trash can with dented, overlapping lines.

Draw the trash can body using parallel, slightly overlapping lines to give it a 'crushed' or dented look. Teacher's Tip: Dents make the can look more realistic and lived-in, so don't worry about making the sides perfectly straight.

Step 8: Adding Can Hardware

Adding rectangular handles and metal brackets to the trash can.

Add the rectangular handles and the metal brackets connecting them to the can. Teacher's Tip: Use a ruler if you want the rectangles to be perfectly symmetrical, or go freehand for a more rustic, 'junkyard' feel.

Step 9: Adding Texture and Detail

Adding scalloped texture lines to the rims of the trash can.

Draw scalloped lines at the top and bottom rims of the can to add texture. Teacher's Tip: These small details help define the metal material of the can, making it look distinct from Oscar's soft fur.

Step 10: Bringing Oscar to Life with Color

Finished, colored drawing of Oscar the Grouch in his trash can.

Color Oscar in shades of green, use brown for his bushy eyebrows, and grey for the metal trash can. Teacher's Tip: Try using light and dark green crayons to add depth to his fur, making him look extra fuzzy!