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Draw your avatar

Draw your avatar
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Draw your avatar by designing and sketching a simple cartoon version of yourself, choosing features, colors, and a background to express personality.

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Step-by-step guide to drawing your avatar

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How to Draw Avatar | Avatar The Way of Water #howtodraw

What you need
Black marker, colouring materials (crayons markers or colored pencils), eraser, paper, pencil, ruler (optional)

Step 1

Gather the materials from the list.

Step 2

Pick a mood and simple pose for your avatar (happy excited shy cool etc.).

Step 3

Lightly draw an oval or circle for the head and a simple shape for the body with your pencil.

Step 4

Draw a light vertical and horizontal guideline on the face to help place features.

Step 5

Sketch the eyes nose and mouth using simple shapes that match the mood you picked.

Step 6

Draw the hair and any glasses hats or accessories your avatar will wear.

Step 7

Sketch the clothes and a simple hand or arm pose for the body.

Step 8

Add a simple background item like clouds a room a skateboard or a tree to show where your avatar is.

Step 9

Trace over the pencil lines you want to keep with the black marker to make bold outlines.

Step 10

After the ink dries gently erase the remaining pencil lines so your drawing looks clean.

Step 11

Color your avatar and the background using your colouring materials to show personality.

Step 12

Sign your name in a corner of the picture to claim your artwork.

Step 13

Take a photo of your finished avatar and share it on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use instead of a black marker or fancy colouring supplies if I don't have them?

If you don't have a black marker or specific colouring materials, trace outlines with a dark ballpoint or fine-tip pen for step 10 and use crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers from your supplies list for step 11.

My pencil guidelines or ink smudged—how can I fix messy face features or smeared outlines?

To avoid smudges and messy features, wait until the black marker in step 10 is completely dry before gently erasing the vertical/horizontal guidelines in step 9 and use a kneaded eraser to lift pencil without smearing.

How should I change the activity for different ages so it's fun but achievable?

For younger kids, simplify steps 2–7 to one mood and large basic shapes with bold crayons, while older kids can add detail to step 5–8 like layered hair, clothing folds, and background perspective.

How can we make the avatar more unique or turn this into a longer project?

Extend the activity by adding mixed media to the clothes in step 8 (fabric scraps, glitter), creating a mini background scene from step 8 into a comic strip, then sign (step 11) and photograph to share on DIY.org (step 12).

Watch videos on how to draw your avatar

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Easy cartoon drawing | how to Aang [THE AVATAR ] step-by-step

4 Videos

Facts about drawing and character design for kids

🙂 Avatars that are slightly stylized (not fully realistic) often read emotions more clearly on small screens.

🖍️ Cartoon characters are usually built from simple shapes—circles, ovals, rectangles—to stay consistent and easy to draw.

🎨 Many artists pick 3–4 signature colors for avatars so they’re easy to recognize even at tiny profile sizes.

🌈 Warm colors (reds, oranges) feel energetic while cool colors (blues, greens) feel calm—use them to match your avatar’s personality.

🧑‍🎨 Rembrandt painted nearly 100 self-portraits during his life, showing how artists explore identity over time.

How do I draw an avatar step-by-step?

Start by talking about features you want to include—hairstyle, glasses, favorite clothing, and a mood or activity. Lightly sketch basic shapes for the head, hair, body and big facial features with a pencil. Refine outlines, erase guidelines, and add distinctive details (freckles, headphones). Color with markers or pencils, choose a simple background, and add highlights/shadows. Encourage copying from a photo or mirror and celebrate unique choices.

What materials do I need to draw an avatar?

You need paper (printer or sketch paper), a pencil and eraser, fine-tip black pen or marker for outlines, colored pencils or markers for filling, and optional crayons or watercolors. Add a mirror or a photo for reference, stickers or stamps for decoration, and scissors or glue if you want a cut-and-paste collage avatar. For a digital version, use a tablet or computer with a drawing app and stylus.

What ages is drawing an avatar suitable for?

This activity works for ages about 4 and up. Ages 4–6 enjoy simple shapes and big features with adult help for cutting or fine-detail tools. Ages 7–9 can plan features, mix colors, and add backgrounds independently. Ages 10+ can refine proportions, use shading, or try digital tools. Adapt complexity, materials, and supervision to each child’s motor skills and attention span; offer step-by-step guidance for younger kids.

What are the benefits of drawing an avatar?

Drawing an avatar helps children express identity, build self-confidence, and practice storytelling by choosing features and settings. It develops fine motor skills, color recognition, planning, and visual-spatial reasoning. Discussing choices boosts emotional vocabulary and self-awareness. Working together fosters communication and creativity. Digital avatar-making adds tech skills. Keep feedback positive to encourage experimentation and celebrate differences to support healthy self-image.
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Draw your avatar. Activities for Kids.