How to Draw Sulley
Use the video and step-by-step drawing instructions below to learn how to draw James P. "Sulley" Sullivan from Disney•Pixar's Monsters, Inc. A new cartoon drawing tutorial is uploaded every week, so stay tooned!
Intro: Start off with a pencil sketch. In the beginning stages, don’t press down too hard. Use light, smooth strokes for sketching.
Step 1: Start by drawing a circle near the top of the page. This will be the basic shape for the top of Sulley's head. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s just a guide.
Step 2: Draw a horizontal line across the middle of the circle. Bend the line so that it contours to the shape. This will be the first construction line that will help you place Sulley's facial features later.
Step 3: Now draw a really big U-shaped arc under the circle as a guide for the lower part of Sulley's head. The arc should be almost as tall as the original circle. The ends of the arc should be placed at the ends of the horizontal construction line.
Step 4: Draw a long vertical line across the entire head shape. Bend the line so that is contours to the whole head. This is the second construction line that will help you place Sulley's facial features.
Step 5: Draw two small shapes similar to half circles as guides for Sulley's eyes. Draw these shapes close together, sitting on top of the horizontal construction line and on either side of the vertical construction line.
Step 6: Draw a triangle-like shape under Sulley's eyes as a guide for the nose. The top corner of this guide should touch the horizontal construction line, and the left corner should touch the edge of the original circle.
Step 7: Under the original circle, within the shape of the arc, draw a shape similar to a sideways letter D as a guide for Sulley's mouth. The top right side of the shape should graze the edge of the original circle.
Step 8: On top of the head, draw two curved lines as guides for Sulley's horns. The line on the left side should be smaller because of perspective.
Step 9: That’s it for the initial sketch! You have the basic shape of Sulley from Monsters, Inc. Now go in and tighten your drawing. From this point on, press harder with your pencil in order to get darker lines and a more defined sketch.
Step 10: Darken the half-circle shapes to create Sulley's eyes. Inside each eye, draw a small circle for the irises. Inside each iris, add a big dot for the pupils. On the side of each iris, draw a tiny circle to represent glare.
Step 11: Draw a thick shape over each eye for the eyebrows. Sulley is furry, so when you draw the shapes for the eyebrows, don't use a single smooth stroke. Use a series of quick, short strokes as you draw the shapes for a fuzzy look.
Step 12: Use the triangle-like shape as a guide to draw Sulley's nose. Make the top part pointier and the bottom corners rounder. Draw two shapes inside the nose and shade them in for the nostrils. Add a couple of curved lines at the bottom of the nose.
Step 13: Draw the first part of Sulley's mouth by using the sideways D shape as a guide. Follow the basic path of the shape as you darken the line, and make the top right side longer and pointier. Inside the mouth, on the top side, draw a series of pointy shapes for the top row of teeth.
Step 14: Inside Sulley's mouth, on the bottom side, draw another series of pointy shapes for the lower row of teeth. These teeth should be smaller. Above the teeth, draw a couple of curved lines for the tongue. Draw a long, curved line under Sulley's mouth, on the outside, for the lower lip.
Step 15: Use the initial lines on top of Sulley's head as guides to draw the horns. Follow the basic path of the lines as you thicken up the shapes to create the horns. The base of the horns should be thick, and they should end at a point. Draw a couple of lines within each horn for extra detail.
Step 16: Draw the rest of Sulley's head by using the original circle and arc as guides. Follow the basic path of these shapes, and just like with the eyebrows, use quick, short strokes as you darken the lines to create a furry texture. Draw a few lines within Sulley's face for extra detail.
Step 17: That’s it! You now have a nice sketch of Sulley from Monsters, Inc. You can stop at this quick drawing for a rough, sketchy look or go for a more finished look by continuing to the step below.
Step 18: For a more finished, inked look, carefully go over the final sketch lines with a pen or marker. Wait for the ink to dry, and then get rid of every pencil mark with an eraser. You now have a finished inked drawing of Sulley! You can stop here or go to the final step to complete your Sulley drawing.
Final Step: For a completely finished Sulley drawing, you have to color it. You can use markers, color pencils or even crayons! Sulley's horns are light brown. His fur is a light blue-green color with some pink spots at the top. Sulley's eyes are blue, and his nose is dark blue-green. The inside of his mouth is brown, and his tongue is pink. That’s it! You now have a completed drawing of James P. Sullivan from Disney•Pixar's Monsters, Inc., movie.
