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how to draw goku

Here’s a simple, kid‑friendly guide on how to draw Goku in his classic Dragon Ball style, from pose to hair to clothing. ✏️

1. Set up your drawing

Use light pencil strokes so you can erase easily.

  • Paper, a regular pencil, eraser, and a black pen/marker for final lines.
  • Draw lightly first, then darken only when you’re happy with the sketch.

2. Basic body stick figure

Imagine Goku in a simple fighting pose.

  1. Draw a vertical line for the spine, slightly tilted if you want a dynamic pose.
  2. Add an oval for the head at the top of the line.
  3. Mark the shoulders as a short horizontal line crossing the spine.
  4. Draw simple lines for:
    • Arms (from shoulders outwards, bent slightly).
    • Legs (like a wide “A” shape, since Goku often stands with legs apart).
  5. Add small circles at elbows, knees, and hands/feet spots to show joints.

This rough “stick man” is just a guide for proportions.

3. Draw the head and face

Head shape

  1. Turn the head oval into a more angular anime face:
    • Flatten the sides a bit.
    • Make the chin pointed (not too long).
  2. Add a center line down the face and a horizontal line for eye level.

Eyes, nose, mouth

  1. Eyes:
    • Draw two sharp, slightly angled rectangles for the eyes.
    • Inside, add a small oval for the iris and shade the pupil.
    • Add thick upper lines to act as eyebrows touching the top of the eyes.
  2. Nose:
    • Use a small angled line or tiny triangle on the face center line.
  3. Mouth:
    • A small curved line for a serious look, or a wider curve with a slight open shape if you want him yelling.
  4. Add a tiny line for the chin and a few lines for cheek marks if you like.

4. Goku’s iconic spiky hair

Goku’s hair is made of big, sharp spikes that go in different directions.

  1. Start at the hairline:
    • Draw a zigzag line across the forehead where the hair starts.
  2. Draw big spikes:
    • From the top of the head, draw long curved triangles (spikes) going outward and up.
    • Vary the sizes: some big, some smaller, some slightly behind others.
  3. Make sure the spikes overlap to look full and wild.
  4. Add a few smaller inner lines on the spikes to show sections or highlights.

Think: big, bold, gravity‑defying spikes, not many small messy ones.

5. Neck, shoulders, and upper body

  1. Neck:
    • Two short lines down from the head.
    • Add a few curved lines for neck muscles if you want him more muscular.
  2. Torso:
    • Start from the shoulders and make a slightly V‑shaped upper body (wider shoulders, narrower waist).
  3. Shirt collar:
    • Draw a wide “U” or “V” shape around the neck for his gi’s collar.
    • Add overlapping layers if you want the inner undershirt showing.

6. Arms and hands

Arms

  1. From the shoulders, draw cylinders for upper arms, then slightly thinner cylinders for forearms.
  2. Add curved lines to show muscles (biceps and forearms).
  3. Goku wears wristbands:
    • Draw bands around the wrists as small rounded rectangles.

Hands (simplified)

If you want fists (easier):

  1. Draw a square/rounded box shape at the end of the forearm.
  2. Add a curved line across the front to show the folded fingers.
  3. Draw a side bump shape for the thumb.

7. Waist, pants, and belt

  1. Waist:
    • Slightly narrower than the chest, with a gentle curve.
  2. Belt:
    • Draw a thick band tied around his waist.
    • Add a knot and flowing ends if you like, using simple ribbon shapes.
  3. Pants:
    • Big, loose shapes rather than skinny legs.
    • Start wide at the belt and gradually angle down towards the boots.
    • Add a few zigzag or curved lines for folds near the knees and ankles.

8. Legs and boots

  1. Legs:
    • Draw two thick “tubes” for thighs and slightly narrower tubes for calves.
    • Keep them slightly bent for an action stance.
  2. Boots:
    • Draw a simple boot shape at the bottom: wide at the top, slightly pointed at the toes.
    • Add:
      • A band near the top.
      • A line for the sole.
      • Optional laces or rope‑like lines if you want more detail.

9. Clothing folds and details

This step makes your Goku look more alive.

  • Add folds:
    • Around shoulders and chest.
    • At the elbows and wrists.
    • At the belt and knees.
  • Use short, curved lines that follow the movement of his body (pointing towards where the fabric is being pulled).
  • Optional: add the small symbol on his chest or back if you’re comfortable with more detail (just keep it simple and approximate if you're not sure).

10. Inking and shading

  1. Go over your final lines with a black pen or darker pencil.
  2. Erase all the light construction lines once the ink is dry.
  3. Add shading:
    • Under the chin and jaw.
    • On one side of the face (pick a light direction, left or right).
    • Under the hair spikes, inside the folds of clothes, and below the belt and knees.

You can shade by:

  • Hatching (parallel lines).
  • Soft shading with your pencil and then smudging lightly with your finger or tissue.

11. Optional: Coloring your Goku

Classic colors (if you have pencils or markers):

  • Hair: Black (or yellow if Super Saiyan).
  • Eyes: Black.
  • Gi (clothes): Orange outfit with a dark blue inner shirt, belt, and wristbands.
  • Boots: Blue with orange or yellow details (you can simplify if needed).
  • Skin: Light peach or tan, depending on your style.

Color lightly at first, then deepen shadows on one side to make him look more 3D.

Mini storytelling idea while you draw

If you enjoy stories, imagine this while sketching:

Goku is standing on a rocky cliff, wind pushing his hair and clothes, just before he powers up. Each fold you draw is the wind catching his gi, and each shadow is the energy building around him before he launches a Kamehameha.

It can help you decide which way his clothes move and where to put shadows.

Quick checklist

  • Head and hair look big enough (anime style likes slightly bigger heads).
  • Shoulders wider than waist.
  • Hair spikes large, sharp, and varied.
  • Clothes look loose with a few folds and wrinkles.
  • One clear light direction for shading.

If you tell me:

  • Whether you want base Goku or Super Saiyan
  • And what level you are (beginner / intermediate)

I can give you a shorter, custom step list or a simple practice sheet layout you can copy.