How to Draw Goku (Base Form) Step-by-Step for Beginners
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to draw Goku from Dragon Ball, you’re in the right place! In this beginner-friendly tutorial, we’ll go step-by-step through the entire drawing starting with simple shapes and building up to Goku’s final look. By the end, you’ll have a confident sketch of Goku’s face and upper body, complete with hair spikes, eyes, and outline.
No experience needed, just grab a pencil, relax, and have fun. Let’s begin!
What You’ll Need
You don’t need fancy art supplies. Anything from a school pencil to sketchbook paper is fine.
- HB or 2B pencil
- Plain drawing paper
- Eraser
- Sharpener
- Black pen or fine-liner (optional for final lines)
Tip: Beginners should sketch lightly. Darken lines only at the end.
Before You Start: Understand Goku’s Face & Proportions
Before we jump into drawing, remember these three simple rules for anime faces:
| Feature | Beginner Rule |
| Head Shape | Start with a circle + jaw |
| Eyes | Large, sharp, and slightly angled |
| Hair | Big, pointy spikes (not realistic hair) |
Goku’s design is bold, simple, and iconic. If you keep proportions loose and don’t worry about perfection, you’ll enjoy the process more and your drawing will improve faster.
Step-by-Step: How to Draw Goku
Take your time. Follow each step slowly. Don’t jump ahead; each part builds on the previous step.
Step 1: Draw Goku’s Head and Hair Outline
Start by lightly sketching a circle for the head, then outline Goku’s sharp jawline and chin. Add his facial guidelines to keep the features symmetrical. Next, draw his iconic spiky hair use large, curved triangular spikes pointing upward and outward to capture his Saiyan look. Keep your pencil strokes light for easy adjustments later.
Step 2: Add Facial Details and Upper Body
Now, refine Goku’s facial features draw his intense eyes, eyebrows, and calm but confident smile. Add the ears on both sides, and begin sketching his neck and gi (uniform). Use strong, confident lines to form the “V” neckline and shoulder folds. Finally, add the belt around his waist with wrapped fabric lines for detail.
Step 3: Draw the Legs and Pants
Now that the upper body is done, it’s time to extend the figure by sketching the legs. Start by outlining the loose-fitting pants typical of Goku’s outfit. Add gentle curved lines to show the fabric’s folds and wrinkles, giving the pants a natural flow. Make sure both legs are balanced and slightly apart, capturing his confident, battle-ready stance. Keep the lines light so adjustments can be made easily later.
Step 4: Add the Boots
Next, focus on Goku’s signature boots. Draw the shapes starting from the ankles and move downward, maintaining proportion with the rest of the body. The boots should have slightly rounded tips and simple tied straps near the top. This step adds more structure to your drawing and helps ground the pose, making Goku look steady and strong.
Step 5: Complete the Arms and Fists
Finally, bring power to your drawing by sketching Goku’s arms and fists. Position his fists tightly clenched on either side of his body to express determination and strength. Add muscle definition on the arms and small creases around the wristbands to create realism. With the body now fully drawn, you have a complete pencil sketch of Goku in his iconic stance ready for outlining or shading in the next step.
Common Beginner Mistakes (and Fixes)
| Mistake | Fix |
| Hair spikes too small | Make them BIG exaggeration is the anime style |
| Eyes uneven | Use guidelines until confident |
| Thin neck | Goku has a thick, muscular neck |
| Erasing too late | Clean as you go |
Tips to Improve Your Anime Drawing Skills
- Practice drawing hair spikes separately
- Use light lines first, dark lines last
- Study your proportions before detailing
- Draw the same character 3–5 times — you’ll see instant improvement
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Goku hard to draw for beginners?
A: Not with step-by-step breakdowns. His shapes are simple once you learn proportions.
Q: How long will this drawing take?
A: 20–60 minutes depending on experience.
Q: Do I need a pen?
A: No , pen is optional for final outlines.
Final Words You Did It!
You just drew Goku (Base Form) congratulations! Keep practicing, try drawing him with different expressions, and explore other characters from the Dragon Ball universe. The more you draw, the faster your skills grow stay tuned with mypeelverse
