Kuromi and My Melody are two of Sanrio‘s most beloved characters. While Kuromi has a rebellious, punk-rock edge, My Melody embodies sweet innocence with her gentle demeanor. Drawing both characters together creates a delightful contrast, allowing you to practice different artistic techniques for capturing their distinct personalities. This step-by-step guide will show you how to draw Kuromi and My Melody side by side, helping you understand the subtle details that make each character unique.
Materials You Will Need:
- Pencil: A soft lead (2B or 4B) works well for sketching.
- Eraser: A kneaded eraser helps with precision erasing.
- Black Pen or Fine Liner: To ink your final drawing.
- Paper: Any drawing paper or a sketchbook.
- Colored Pencils or Markers: To add color once the drawing is complete.
Step-by-Step Guide for Drawing Kuromi
Step 1: Drawing Kuromi’s Head Shape
To start drawing Kuromi, sketch a soft oval or rounded shape for her head. This will serve as the foundation for her mischievous expression.
- Lightly draw two intersecting guidelines across the oval—one vertical and one horizontal. These lines will help you correctly position her facial features later on.
Step 2: Adding Kuromi’s Ears and Hat
Kuromi’s signature look includes her large, pointy ears and jester hat, which set her apart from other Sanrio characters.
- Draw two sharp, triangular ears that extend from either side of the head. The ears should angle slightly outward.
- Between her ears, sketch a jester-style hat with slightly curved points, giving it a playful look. In the center of the hat, add a small skull ornament—this is a key detail that adds to Kuromi’s mischievous personality.
Step 3: Sketching Kuromi’s Facial Features
Kuromi’s expression is essential to capturing her character. Her large eyes and raised eyebrows give her a devilish charm.
- Start by drawing two large, oval-shaped eyes. Place them symmetrically on either side of the vertical guideline.
- Above each eye, sketch arched eyebrows angled slightly inward to give her a mischievous expression.
- Next, add a small, simple dot for her nose.
- Finish with her smirk, tilting her mouth to one side for that playful, almost devious look.
Step 4: Outlining Kuromi’s Body and Outfit
Now that the face is complete, it’s time to move on to Kuromi’s body. Her body is relatively small compared to her head, but it’s packed with character.
- Draw a small, rounded body just below her head. Keep the proportions in mind: Kuromi has a compact body with simple, rounded arms and legs.
- Sketch her arms in a slightly bent position, which gives her a playful stance. You can draw one hand resting on her hip for added sass.
- Add her jester-style collar, with three rounded points, to her outfit.
- Don’t forget her short, curved tail—it adds a final devilish touch.
Step 5: Inking and Coloring Kuromi
Once you’re satisfied with your pencil sketch, go over the final outline with a black pen or fine liner. Be careful when inking the facial details and outlines to avoid smudging.
- After the ink dries, you can add color. Use black and purple for her hat and ears, with a light pink for the skull on her hat and collar.
Step-by-Step Guide for Drawing My Melody
Step 1: Drawing My Melody’s Head Shape
My Melody’s head is soft and round, much like Kuromi’s, but with a much gentler expression.
- Begin by sketching an oval for her head, similar to Kuromi’s, but without the sharp angles. This oval should be slightly elongated vertically to allow space for her long ears.
- Lightly draw cross guidelines to help align her facial features.
Step 2: Drawing My Melody’s Iconic Ears
Unlike Kuromi’s sharp ears, My Melody’s ears are long and rounded, giving her a soft and friendly look.
- Draw two long, floppy ears extending from her head. One ear can be drawn hanging straight down, while the other can be bent slightly to create a more dynamic pose.
- At the base of one ear, add a small, delicate bow, which is a signature accessory for My Melody.
Step 3: Adding My Melody’s Facial Features
My Melody’s face is simple but expressive, emphasizing her sweet nature.
- Start with two small, round eyes placed evenly on either side of the vertical guideline.
- Below the eyes, draw a tiny oval for her nose.
- Add a gentle smile—My Melody’s smile is soft and serene, so avoid making it too big or exaggerated.
- You can add small blush marks on her cheeks to enhance her innocence.
Step 4: Drawing My Melody’s Body and Outfit
My Melody’s body is similar in shape to Kuromi’s, with small, rounded proportions. However, her stance is much softer.
- Sketch a rounded body below her head, keeping it simple and proportional.
- Draw her hands in a cute, resting position, either by her sides or clasped together in front of her.
- Add her simple, rounded feet.
- Finally, sketch the hood of her outfit, which wraps around her neck and body, completing her classic look.
Step 5: Inking and Coloring My Melody
Once you’re happy with the sketch, ink over your lines with a fine liner to create a clean, polished look.
- My Melody’s color palette is soft and pastel. Use pink and red for her hood, with light pastels for her body. You can add light blush to her cheeks and use a soft pink for the small bow on her ear.
Final Touches: Kuromi and My Melody Together
Now that both characters are drawn, you can place them side by side, highlighting their contrasting styles. Kuromi’s punk-rock edge juxtaposed with My Melody’s sweet innocence creates a visually interesting duo.
Consider adding extra details like different poses or facial expressions. Perhaps Kuromi can be smirking playfully while My Melody looks sweetly oblivious.
Final Words
Drawing Kuromi and My Melody side by side is not only a fun artistic exercise but also a way to explore contrasting styles in character design. Kuromi’s mischievous personality is conveyed through sharp lines and bold expressions, while My Melody’s soft features and gentle demeanor are captured with rounded shapes and delicate details. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll have a fun and rewarding time drawing these two iconic characters from the Sanrio universe. Happy drawing!