Your Guide to Drawing the Beloved Minecraft YouTuber
You’ve spent hours watching her adventures, laughing at the chaos, and getting invested in the stories. Now, you want to bring a piece of that world into yours by learning how to draw Aphmau. Whether you’re a fan of her Minecraft roleplays, her iconic cat ears, or just love her distinctive style, putting pencil to paper can feel daunting.
Where do you even start with a character who has so many different looks? From her classic purple-haired avatar to her various mystical and casual outfits, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This guide breaks it down into simple, manageable steps, focusing on her most recognizable and beloved character design.
We’ll walk through the entire process, from basic shapes to final details, ensuring you have a clear path from a blank page to a finished drawing you’re proud of. You don’t need to be a professional artist; you just need a pencil, an eraser, some paper, and the willingness to follow along.
Gathering Your Drawing Tools and References
Before we sketch the first line, let’s get prepared. Having the right tools and a clear reference image makes the process infinitely smoother. You don’t need expensive art supplies to create something great.
Start by collecting a few basic items. A standard HB pencil is perfect for your initial sketch. Have a good eraser on hand for cleaning up lines. If you plan to ink your drawing later, a fine-liner pen (like a 0.3 or 0.5 mm) works well. For coloring, you can use anything from colored pencils and markers to digital tools if you’re drawing on a tablet.
The most important tool is your reference. Search for a clear image of Aphmau’s Minecraft skin or her common fan-art design. Look for one that shows her full body in a relatively simple pose. Notice the key features: the long, straight purple hair with bangs, the bright blue eyes, the simple shirt and pants, and, of course, the signature black cat ears headband.
Having this image side-by-side with your drawing paper will help you capture proportions and details accurately. Don’t try to draw from memory; even professional artists use references to ensure their work looks right.
Starting with Simple Shapes and Proportions
Every complex drawing begins with simple shapes. This step is about building the mannequin or wireframe of your character. It’s not about details; it’s about getting the size and placement of everything correct.
Lightly sketch a circle for the head. Just below it, draw a slightly larger oval or a trapezoid shape for the torso. For the limbs, use simple lines and small circles for joints. Think of it as drawing a stick figure, but with volume. The arms and legs should be simple lines, with circles at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.
Pay attention to Minecraft-style proportions, which are often blocky and simple. The head is typically quite large compared to the body, which has a squared-off look. Keep your lines very light during this phase. These are your guide lines, and you will be erasing most of them later.
This framework is your foundation. If the proportions look off here, the final drawing will look off. Take your time to adjust the size of the head relative to the body, and the length of the arms and legs. A good rule is that the total height of the body (head to feet) is about six to seven “heads” tall.
Sketching the Head and Iconic Facial Features
Now, let’s focus on the face, the most expressive part of the character. Using the circle you drew as a guide, start to define the shape of the head. In the classic style, it’s a soft square or rounded square, reminiscent of the Minecraft block aesthetic but softened for fan art.
Draw a light vertical line down the center of the head circle and a horizontal line across the middle. These lines will help you place the facial features symmetrically. The eyes will sit on this horizontal line. Draw two large, oval shapes for the eyes, leaving a gap of about one eye’s width between them.
Inside each eye, sketch a large circle for the iris, leaving a white spot for the light reflection to make them look shiny and lively. Aphmau’s eyes are a vibrant blue and are one of her most defining features, so take care with their shape. Below the eyes, halfway to the chin, add a small, simple line or curve for the nose. Even lower, add a small, friendly smile.
Now, for the hair. Aphmau’s hair is long, straight, and a distinctive purple color. Start by drawing the bangs: a series of jagged, triangular shapes coming down over her forehead, just above the eyes. Then, from the sides and back of the head, draw the hair flowing down. It often goes past her shoulders. Remember, hair has volume, so don’t draw it flat against the head.
Adding the Cat Ears and Finalizing the Face
No drawing of Aphmau is complete without her cat ears. She is almost always depicted wearing a black headband with two pointed cat ears. Draw the headband as a simple curved line across the top of her head, nestled in her hair.
From this headband, draw two triangular shapes pointing upward and slightly outward. These are the cat ears. Make them fairly large and noticeable. They should look like they are part of the headband, not growing directly from her head. You can add a little tuft of hair poking out from under the headband for extra detail.
Go back to the facial features and darken the lines you want to keep. Define the upper eyelid, thicken the eyelashes slightly, and darken the outline of the irises. Clean up all your extra guide lines with your eraser. At this point, you should have a clean, detailed sketch of her head, hair, and cat ears ready for the next stage.
Drawing the Body and Classic Outfit
With the head complete, move down to the body. Use the simple torso shape you drew earlier as a guide. Define the neck, which should be fairly thin, connecting to the shoulders. Her typical top is a simple, slightly loose-fitting shirt.
Draw the collar of the shirt, often a simple neckline. Then, sketch the sleeves. They are usually not skin-tight; they have a bit of puff at the shoulders and then taper down to the wrists. Her arms are simple; from the sleeve, draw her hand. For a beginner-friendly pose, you can draw her hands resting at her sides or one hand slightly raised in a wave.
For the lower body, define the waistline. Her pants or skirt are also simple. If drawing pants, they are straight-legged. Sketch the legs down from the hips, and define the feet. Shoes are often simple boots or sneakers. The key is to keep the clothing lines clean and uncomplicated, matching the overall simple, cute aesthetic.
Remember to connect the hair to the body, letting it flow over the shoulders and down the back. Erase any of the original stick-figure guide lines that are still visible from your first step. Your character should now be fully formed in pencil.
Inking Your Sketch for a Clean Finish
Once you are happy with your pencil sketch, it’s time to ink it. This step makes your drawing pop and prepares it for coloring. Using a fine-liner pen, carefully trace over the final lines of your drawing. Trace the outline of the face, hair, eyes, cat ears, and body.
Use a steady hand and try to create smooth, confident lines. It’s okay if they are a little wobbly; that can add charm. Pay special attention to the thicker lines, like the outer silhouette of the hair and body, and use thinner lines for details like the eyelashes, smile lines, and clothing folds.
This is also the time to add small details you might have skipped in the pencil phase. You can add a pattern to the shirt, like a simple heart or star, or add laces to the shoes. Add a few strands of hair to break up the larger shapes and make it look more natural.
After the ink is completely dry, take your eraser and thoroughly erase all the remaining pencil marks. Be gentle to avoid smudging the ink. You will be left with a crisp, clean line drawing ready for color.
Bringing Aphmau to Life with Color
Coloring is where your drawing truly becomes Aphmau. Start with her skin. Use a light peach or tan color, applying it evenly. Leave the whites of the eyes and the light reflection spots in the irises completely white.
Next, her iconic purple hair. Choose a vibrant lavender or lilac shade. Color the main body of the hair, leaving some lighter streaks or areas to show shine and dimension. You can go back with a slightly darker purple to add shadows under the bangs and where the hair falls on the neck and shoulders.
For the eyes, use a bright, sky blue. Color the irises carefully, avoiding the white reflection spot. You can add a tiny black pupil in the center if you like. The cat ears and headband are black. Color them solidly, or leave a tiny highlight to show they are made of a material like velvet.
Color her clothing. Her shirt is often light blue, and her pants are commonly a darker blue or jeans color. You can use any colors you prefer, but sticking to a simple blue palette is classic. Color the shoes, often brown or black. Finally, you can add a soft shadow on the ground beneath her feet to anchor her to the page.
Practicing Different Poses and Expressions
Once you’ve mastered the basic standing pose, challenge yourself. Try drawing Aphmau in different actions that reflect her channel’s spirit.
- Draw her holding a diamond sword from Minecraft, looking determined.
- Sketch her with a surprised or laughing expression, perfect for a funny moment.
- Practice drawing her sitting down or waving.
- Try drawing her with one of her friends, like Aaron or Katelyn, to create a scene.
Each new pose will teach you more about how the body moves and how clothing drapes. Start each new drawing with the same simple shapes method. Use action lines to capture movement, like a curved line for a spine if she’s leaning, or directional lines for swinging arms.
Changing her expression is a powerful way to tell a story. Adjust the eyebrows and the shape of the mouth. Raised eyebrows and a wide mouth create surprise. Slanted eyebrows and a frown show anger or determination. A simple, straight mouth and neutral eyes create a calm look.
Troubleshooting Common Drawing Challenges
It’s normal to run into hurdles. Here’s how to solve the most frequent problems artists face when drawing characters like this.
If the proportions look strange, go back to the basic shapes step. Trace over your drawing with a red pencil, identifying the simple circles and lines. Compare them to your reference. Is the head too small? Are the arms too long? Adjust the underlying framework, not the details.
If the face looks lopsided, you likely didn’t use your center guide lines effectively. Lightly re-draw the vertical and horizontal lines on your drawing and check where the eyes, nose, and mouth sit in relation to them. Symmetry is key for a pleasing cartoon face.
If the hair looks flat, you need more volume. Hair doesn’t lie perfectly flat against the skull. Draw the outline of the hair further out from the head shape, then fill in the strands. Add layers and varying lengths to make it look full and dynamic.
If inking looks messy, practice on a separate sheet of paper first. Make loose, swirling lines to get comfortable with the pen. When inking the actual drawing, rotate the paper to find the most comfortable angle for drawing long, smooth curves. Don’t be afraid to lift the pen and start a new line if one goes astray.
Exploring Digital Drawing Options
If you have access to a tablet, drawing digitally offers incredible flexibility. You can use software like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, or even free apps like Krita or Medibang Paint.
The process is similar: start a new layer and sketch with a basic pencil brush. Use a low opacity so your lines are light. Once your sketch is done, create a new layer on top for your inks. This allows you to hide the sketch layer completely later. For coloring, create separate layers for skin, hair, and clothing. This lets you adjust colors easily without affecting other parts of the drawing.
The undo function is a digital artist’s best friend. Don’t hesitate to use it. Digital tools also make experimenting with different color palettes and effects, like glow or sparkles, very simple.
Your Path Forward as a Fan Artist
Learning to draw Aphmau is more than just replicating an image; it’s about connecting with a character and a community you enjoy. Each drawing you complete builds your skills and confidence.
Keep practicing regularly. Try to draw her from memory, then check a reference to see what you got wrong. This is a powerful learning technique. Share your drawings online with fan communities using appropriate tags. You’ll get encouragement and maybe even helpful tips from other artists.
Don’t get discouraged by mistakes. Every artist has a folder of sketches that didn’t turn out right. They are not failures; they are practice. The lines that feel awkward today will feel natural after a dozen more drawings.
Use this process as a template. The same steps of shapes, sketch, ink, and color can be applied to drawing any of your favorite Minecraft YouTubers, game characters, or original creations. You’ve now built a fundamental skill set. Grab your pencil, find a new reference, and start your next drawing adventure.
