Draw Something in Studio Ghibli Style
Draw a whimsical character or cozy landscape inspired by Studio Ghibli, learning gentle shading, soft colors, and storytelling through pose and background.
About this tutorial
Draw a whimsical character or cozy landscape inspired by Studio Ghibli, learning gentle shading, soft colors, and storytelling through pose and background.
What you need
Instructions
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Step 1
Choose 2 or 3 reference images of Studio Ghibli characters or cozy landscapes.
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Step 2
Decide whether you will draw a whimsical character or a cozy landscape.
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Step 3
Think of one short sentence that tells what is happening in your picture.
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Step 4
Lightly sketch big simple shapes to map where your character or main objects will sit on the paper.
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Step 5
Refine the silhouette by adding the characterâs pose or the main land and sky shapes.
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Step 6
Draw the face expression and important clothing details or add trees houses and small background elements.
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Step 7
Trace the main lines with a fine liner pen or darken them with your pencil to make the drawing clear.
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Step 8
Gently erase extra sketch lines so only the clean outlines remain.
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Step 9
Block in soft base colors with colored pencils or a light watercolor wash.
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Step 10
Add gentle shading and soft textures using light pencil strokes or layered watercolor washes and blend with a tissue or cotton swab.
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Step 11
Add small storytelling details like floating leaves glowing lanterns or tiny animals to make the scene feel alive.
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Step 12
Add a small signature in a corner of your picture.
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Step 13
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I draw a Studio Ghibliâstyle whimsical character or cozy landscape?
Start with reference images and make a light pencil sketch of simple shapes to block in forms. Pick a soft, limited color palette and keep lines gentle and expressive. Add storytelling through pose and tiny background details like cottages, lanterns, or trees. Use layered washes or soft colored-pencil shading for depth, refine small details with a fine pen, and keep highlights airy to maintain a dreamy, cozy feel.
What materials do I need to draw in Studio Ghibli style?
Youâll want sketching pencils (HB and 2B), a good eraser, and smooth drawing or watercolor paper. Use colored pencils and/or watercolors, plus soft brushes if painting. A fine-tipped ink pen helps with small details, and a blending stump or cotton swab smooths shading. Optional items: gouache for opaque highlights, masking tape to keep paper flat, and printed reference images. Choose non-toxic supplies for kids.
What ages is drawing in a Studio Ghibli style suitable for?
This activity can be adapted by age: ages 4â6 enjoy simplified shapes, color washes, and guided prompts with close supervision. Ages 7â10 can practice basic shading, color blending, and simple storytelling through pose and background. Ages 11+ can handle layered washes, finer textures, and more complex compositions. Tailor materials, session length, and expectations to each childâs attention and skill level.
What are the benefits of drawing in Studio Ghibli style for kids?
Drawing in this soft, narrative style builds imagination and storytelling by encouraging children to design characters and cozy scenes. It strengthens observational skills, color sensitivity, and fine motor control through gentle shading and detail work. The slow, layered approach fosters patience and focus, while sharing finished pieces boosts confidence and helps kids discuss mood, setting, and character backstory.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use instead of a fine liner pen, watercolor, or cotton swab if I can't find them?
If you don't have a fine liner pen, trace the main lines with a sharpened graphite pencil or thin ballpoint pen, and if you lack watercolor or cotton swabs, block in soft base colors with light-colored markers or crayons and soften pencil shading by blending with a tissue corner or your finger.
My drawing looks smudged or my watercolor wash is too darkâhow do I fix it?
If ink smudges when you trace or your watercolor wash is too dark, let the fine liner dry fully and rest your hand on scrap paper while erasing extra sketch lines, and lift or dilute excess paint with a clean damp brush or tissue to restore soft, Ghibli-style shading.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages or skill levels?
For younger kids simplify by choosing one reference image, sketching big simple shapes and using crayons without fine-liner tracing, while older kids can refine silhouettes, add layered watercolor washes, fine-liner details, and tiny storytelling elements like glowing lanterns or animals.
How can we extend or personalize the finished picture beyond the basic steps?
To enhance your piece, combine elements from your two or three reference images into a hybrid character or cozy landscape, add mixed-media textures (tissue-paper lanterns or colored-pencil fur), include extra storytelling details such as floating leaves or tiny animals, then sign the corner and share on DIY.org.