How to Draw a Lucky Cat (Easy Step by Step)
A lucky cat is a friendly cat with a waving paw, a collar with a bell, and a big coin on its tummy. It is built from simple shapes you already know: ovals, triangles, and a few curved lines. Kids can finish it in a short sitting, and it makes a cheerful card or poster.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a lucky cat step by step
How to Draw a Lucky Cat · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: Bottom of the head
Near the top of the page, draw a curved U shape for the bottom of the cat's head. Make it wide and round, like a smile that curls up on both sides.
Step 3: Ears and top of head
Draw a gentle curve across the top to finish the head into a wide oval. Then add two pointy triangle ears on top, one on the left and one on the right, with their bottoms joined to that curve.
Step 4: The round body
Under the head, draw the outline of a big rounded body like a pear. Start on the left just below the head, curve down and around the bottom with a few small bumps, then go up the right side and stop partway.
Step 5: The waving arm
On the right side of the body, draw a long curved line that sweeps up and out for the outside of the arm. Then draw a shorter bent line, like a check mark, for the inside of the arm, starting near the head.
Step 6: Paw and feet
At the top of the arm, draw a small oval for the waving paw. Then draw two flat ovals along the bottom of the body for the feet.
Step 7: Face, bell and toes
Draw two upside-down U shapes for happy closed eyes. Add a small nose with a tiny w-shaped mouth below it, and three short whiskers on each side. Draw a small bell shape under the chin, and a short bumpy line across the bottom of the paw for toes.
Step 8: The collar
Draw a curved line under the head, from one side of the neck to the other, so it wraps around the cat's neck above the bell.
Step 9: The golden coin
On the tummy, draw a tall oval for a big coin and put a small square with rounded corners in the middle. Add a smaller oval touching the big coin on its left side.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your lucky cat? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a tow truck or how to draw a cement mixer truck next.
Tips for drawing a lucky cat
- Draw the head in two parts: the U shape first, then the curve across the top. Keep it wide so the ears and face fit nicely.
- The waving arm is the trickiest part. Draw the long outside curve first, then the short check mark line, then add the paw oval on top.
- Draw the coin oval first, then the little square inside it, and add the smaller oval last so it touches the big coin on the left.
Free lucky cat coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this lucky cat coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your lucky cat drawing
Try white or cream for the cat, red for the collar, and gold or yellow for the coin and the bell. For a creative twist, give your cat calico spots or rainbow stripes.
Lucky cat fun fact for kids
In Japan, the lucky cat is called maneki-neko, which means beckoning cat. You can see these cats in shops and restaurants in Japan and in many other countries.
Questions about drawing a lucky cat
What shapes do I need to draw a lucky cat?
You need a wide oval for the head, two triangles for the ears, and a rounded pear shape for the body. Small ovals make the paw, feet, and coin.
How do I make my lucky cat look cuter?
Draw the eyes as happy upside-down U shapes and keep the nose and mouth small and low on the face. A big head compared to the body also adds to the cuteness.
Which paw does a lucky cat wave?
Lucky cats can wave either paw. In this drawing the raised arm is on the right side of the page, but you can flip it and raise the left one instead.
