7 Best Cartoon Drawing Classes, Tutorials & Lessons Online With Certificates

This blog post has curated a list of the best cartoon drawing classes and courses online in 2023. It is noteworthy that this list was sorted and analyzed so well to be able to give you the best cartoon drawing lessons around.

Cartoons have always held a special place in the dynamic world of art. They have the power to transport us to fantastical realms, elicit laughter, and convey profound emotions through simple lines and vibrant colors.

If you’re eager to bring your cartooning skills to life or explore this exciting medium for the first time, look no further.

In 2023, an array of exceptional cartoon drawing classes can help you master the art of creating captivating characters and imaginative worlds. Let’s dive into some of the best options available today.

So, if you have been searching for a cartoon drawing tutorial that is comprehensive and accurate, relax because you just stumbled on one. In addition, this list of the best cartoon drawing classes was gathered from different MOOC platforms, known to be business heavyweights.

Talking about cartoon drawing, it is an interesting skill to learn and cultivate. Some people nowadays use it for fun, while others use it as a livelihood activity. The question now is, which category do you belong to? I will leave you to answer that.

Who needs Cartoon more?

Children are the primary audience when it comes to cartoons. A good cartoonist is one who can extract the main details of an object or person and simplify them into ways that a child can recognize and be drawn to what they are looking at.

Also, when drawing cartoons, the picture of a child’s behavior comes to mind because you are creating that piece of art to get their attention.

When it comes to cartoons, we have big companies that are making waves by getting interesting cartoons across to children and teens. These companies are Walt Disney, Hanna & Barbera, Chuck Jones, Jim Henson, Walter Lantz, and many others.

Like I asked a question earlier, which category are you in? You might just borrow a leaf from the big guys and replicate what they have done in a unique way. Don’t fear competition in business; it is one of the rudiments of business growth that keeps you on your toes.

Consequently, this list of the best cartoon drawing courses serves its purpose. They will help you in every area in which you need help. For example, all the courses on this list are taught by professionals and gurus in cartoon drawing.

What are the Basic and Fundamental Skills of Drawing?

“Drawing basics”: here are the top five drawing skills. They include the ability to: recognize edges, lines, and angles; Calculate proportions and perspectives; Decipher shadows, lights, and tones; and finally, the ability to unconsciously unite them—what you can think of with practice.

How to draw Cartoon Characters

First of all, to know how to draw cartoon characters, you must bear in mind human beings’ perceptions and views.

The human being has a very interesting characteristic: we can synthesize the details that make up a structure or an object in very complex ways into very basic and simple ones. In this way, we can represent any type of thing by means of a few curves and geometric shapes.

So that way, we begin to know how to draw cartoon characters with great designs and creativity. For instance, knowing the reason for something will give you a great understanding of it. That is a creativity hack. Lol…

Also, drawing a cartoon character can be a fun way to pass the time. You can even create your own characters and start drawing a comic or working on animation for a short film!

Drawing comics is not that different from figure drawing. You should focus on the overall shape and proportions of the character and exaggerate certain parts to make it more interesting.

These are the methods or steps on how to draw a cartoon character

Drawing a Cartoon Person or Creature:

1. Start by creating a head for the cartoon.
2. Create an outline for the rest of your group.
3. Incorporate a line of action along at least one side of the body.
4. Add in guidelines for different parts of the body.
5. Fill in the details for the head, starting with the eyes.
6. Sketch the torso and the limbs.
7. Add the finishing touches, like clothes and shoes.
8. Fill in the sketch with a pen or marker.
9. Finished.

Imitating Your Favorite Cartoon:

1. Find a picture of the character online.
2. Start with the basic shape in pencil. 
3. Add in the hands, ears, and feet.
4. Put in guidelines for the face and torso
5. Fill in the basic details of the body.
6. Add in the clothes and facial details.
7. Finish the character with a pen.

Perfecting Your Drawing:

1. Draw in light pencil strokes.
2. Look at the skeletal and muscle structures if you have trouble with proportions.
3. Exaggerate the parts you want to stand out.
4. Adjust the drawing as needed.

Cartoon Drawing Course Free

As this list of the best cartoon drawing courses includes paid courses, there are also free courses on the list. But some of the free courses don’t issue certificates upon completion of the course.

So, now let us see the list of the best cartoon drawing courses that will help us draw better and more exciting characters. With the above explanations, I believe you have learned the basics that will help you easily take these best cartoon drawing courses at your own pace.

Best Cartoon Drawing Classes, Lessons, and Courses Online with Certificates 2023

This list of cartoon drawing classes is also suitable for all levels of learning, such as; beginners, intermediates, advanced, or experts. However, in any course you choose, you will be taught as though the course was just meant for you. So, enroll in any of them and start a full school.

#1. How to Draw Cute Cartoon Characters (Udemy)

On my first list of cartoon drawing classes online is this Udemy course, which reveals the secrets of drawing cartoons quickly and easily. It will guide you through the basics of drawing a cartoon and animal characters.

You will learn about the different ways to draw body parts like eyes, torso, hair, and limbs. The course also covers an additional lesson on using Photoshop CS6. At the end of the course, you will be able to develop your style.

Wow! I’m so surprised about how good is this course! There’s a long way for me to be good enough as Ben, but he made so much easy and possible to achieve that through this practicable lessons. Thanks for sharing this knowledge with us!

Ken Ramos

Benefits of the course

• You will learn to define and draw cartoon characters
• The course includes an extra lesson on how to use Photoshop CS6
• Get access to video lectures and downloadable resources
• You will get a Certificate of Completion after completing the course
• The course can be accessed on mobile and TV
• This course is suitable for all ages
• Coders and game designers who want to create artwork for their app/game will also find this course useful

Course rating: 4.6 out of 5

Also read: Best Free Proofreading Courses & Classes With Certificates 2023

#2. Cartoon Drawing For Absolute Beginners (Udemy)

In this course, you will learn how to draw cartoon characters in 2D. The course covers the anatomy of cartoon characters, facial expressions, body expressions, and styles.

During the course, you will also learn to draw the head, eyes, eyebrows, mouth, hairstyles, torso, arms, and legs. You will also learn how to define characters, draw characters, make a simple cartoon background, and develop your style.

Very enjoyable and easy course. I found the content of proportions and study sheets very resourceful. It will definitely help me develop simple but effective training animations. Best regards to George!

Robert Phillips

Benefits of the course

• You will learn all you need to know to be able to draw a 2D cartoon character.
• You will learn to create a cloud brush and tree brush in Photoshop
• This is a beginner-level course; people without prior knowledge of cartoon drawing can also take up this course.
• This course is suitable for all ages
• Coders, game designers, animators, illustrators, film-makers, bloggers, and YouTubers will find this course useful
• You will get a Certificate of Completion after completing the course
• The course can be accessed on mobile and TV

Course rating: 4.5 out of 5

#3. Cartoon Drawing Courses (Udemy)

You can find various courses on how to draw comics on the Udemy website. While some of these courses will teach you how to draw cartoons from A to Z, others will delve into specific areas such as comic drawings, chibi characters, deep-sea cartoons, emotions and expressions, and comic book-style cartoons.

Most of these courses are suitable for beginners and will help animators, illustrators, filmmakers, programmers, and game designers improve their skills. Her courses also include a chapter or two on using professional software like Photoshop.

Benefits of the course

• You get to choose a suitable course from a wide range of options
• You will learn to use Photoshop
• Most of the courses are beginner-level courses
• Coders, game designers, animators, illustrators, filmmakers, bloggers, and YouTubers will also find these courses useful.
• You will get a Certificate of Completion after completing the course
• The course can be accessed on mobile and TV

Course rating: 4.5 out of 5

#4. Introduction To Cartoon Character Design (Skillshare)

This course will guide you through the entire character creation process. You will learn how to explore characters, create simple shapes, S and C curves, and cartoon character anatomy. In addition, create basic color blocks, environment occlusion, rendering, and lighting effects.

Start by gathering resources for inspiration, create a sketch of a character, then exaggerate it with S and C curves, and finally add color and special effects. Don’t forget to take our hand-picked courses on the best figure drawing.

Benefits of the course

• This is an intermediate-level course that will help your hone and expand your cartoon drawing skills. 
• Learn the entire process of character creation
• Work on projects to check and demonstrate your learning
• Get access to resources that enhance your learning
• You can share and collaborate with peers to broaden your knowledge
• You can access the courses from the Skillshare app

Course rating: 4.5 out of 5

#5. Cartoon Drawing Courses Online (Skillshare)

Skillshare offers a selection of cartoon drawing courses. The Skillshare website has courses for beginners, advanced students, and advanced students.

Some of these courses provide an in-depth understanding of how to draw cartoons using the basics. Some courses cover a specific area of comic book drawing in depth.

You can also use these courses to learn how to draw cartoon characters with Photoshop. You can also find animation classes for children.

Benefits of the course

• Courses designed and delivered by top experts in cartoon drawing
• Work on projects to check and demonstrate your learning
• Get access to resources that enhance your learning
• You can share and collaborate with peers to broaden your knowledge
• You can access the courses from the Skillshare app

Course rating: 4.5 out of 5

#6. Cartoon Drawing Courses (The Cartoonist Academy)

The Cartoonist Academy offers courses for beginners, advanced students, and advanced students in cartoon drawing. Anyone over the age of 10 can participate in these courses. Foundations of Cartooning is a prerequisite for all Cartoonist Academy courses.

The courses for this class take place on Saturdays and last one hour. You will be introduced to drawing techniques, art supplies, and the history of cartoons. The remaining classes will help you develop beginner, intermediate, and advanced skills in comic drawing.

Benefits of the course

• The classes are conducted once a week, and the duration of each course is one hour.
• You will receive a personal teacher review every week on your homework assignment
• You will get a special Cartoonist Academy Sketchbook Package
• Anyone above ten years of age can enroll in the courses offered by The Cartoonist Academy.

Course rating: 4.4 out of 5

#7. Ultimate Cartoon Drawing: Create Your Own Character

In this course, you will be shown how to develop Tommy Toon.

You will improve your skills by learning to draw boys and girls with more dynamic hands, feet, and facial features. You will also learn and understand how to draw 5 types of fabric folds so that you can dress your character with your imagination.

The instructor will take the King of Diamonds playing card as an exercise and show you how to make your own cartoon out of anything.

Benefits of the course

• You will learn how to draw the dynamic hand poses
• Boy/Girl feet poses
• Facial features and how to align them on the head
• Different cloth folds
• Proportions of Tommy Toon

Course rating: 4.4 out of 5

Conclusion

I hope you are satisfied with our online list of the best cartoon drawing classes. You have to take the drawing skill seriously as a business and not just fun. Turning fun into business is the happiest part of a career.

I hope you got my point.

Cartoon drawing is one of the most interesting, fun hobbies you can find around. It is the best way of getting the attention of kids. So, cartoon drawing is a great venture.

In 2023, cartoon drawing has transcended its reputation as mere child’s play and has firmly established itself as a respected art form.

Whether you want to turn your passion into a career or enhance your creative skills, these cartoon drawing classes offer valuable insights and guidance.

From online platforms like MasterClass and Skillshare to more traditional institutions like the School of Visual Arts, the options are diverse and cater to a wide range of learners.

So, why wait? Unleash your inner artist and embark on a journey of self-expression and creativity through the wonderful world of cartoon drawing.

These cartoon drawing classes here will provide you with every resource to be a cartoonist. Also, the courses are well-detailed, with steps to help you as a beginner.

Lastly, I’ll love to get feedback from you based on the list I have reviewed and what you will be doing differently from now. You can use the comment section to tell us your view.

I’ll be glad to receive it from you.

Ideally, you can also share this with your friends on your social media handle.

Cheers!

FAQ

Are cartoon drawing classes suitable for beginners with no prior drawing experience?

Absolutely! Many cartoon drawing classes are designed to cater to all skill levels, including beginners with no prior drawing experience.

These classes often start with the basics, covering fundamental concepts such as shapes, lines, and proportions. Instructors guide beginners through step-by-step exercises, gradually building their confidence and skills.

Whether you’re a complete novice or someone looking to refine your artistic abilities, there’s a cartoon drawing class that can accommodate your level of expertise.

What materials do I need for a cartoon drawing class?

The materials you’ll need for a cartoon drawing class can vary depending on the course and instructor. However, most classes generally require the following basic materials:

• Drawing Paper or Sketchbook: A good-quality paper or sketchbook with a smooth surface is essential for drawing and practicing.
• Pencils: A set of drawing pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, etc.) allows you to achieve varying degrees of darkness and texture.
• Eraser: A kneaded eraser or a soft eraser is useful for correcting mistakes and refining your drawings.
• Sharpener: A sharp pencil is crucial for achieving precise lines and details.
• Fine-tip Markers: Black fine-tip markers are often used for inking and outlining final drawings.
• Colored Pencils or Markers: If your class covers coloring techniques, having a set of colored pencils or markers can be beneficial.
• Ruler: A ruler helps maintain accurate proportions and straight lines in your drawings.

Before enrolling in a class, it’s a good idea to check the instructor’s recommended materials list to ensure you’re well-prepared for the course.

Can I take cartoon drawing classes online, and how do they compare to in-person classes?

Yes, you can absolutely take cartoon drawing classes online. Online classes offer several advantages, such as flexibility in terms of scheduling and the ability to learn from the comfort of your own space. They often provide video tutorials, downloadable resources, and the opportunity to connect with instructors and fellow students through online platforms or forums.

In-person cartoon drawing classes, on the other hand, offer a more immersive and interactive learning experience. They provide direct, real-time feedback from instructors, which can be especially valuable for hands-on skills like drawing. In-person classes may also offer networking opportunities with classmates and access to physical resources that might not be available in an online setting.

Ultimately, the choice between online and in-person classes depends on your preferences, learning style, and availability. Both formats have their merits, and you can select the one that best aligns with your goals and lifestyle.