Animal Anatomy - Cats Part 1
By akeli
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So, people keep requesting an anatomy tutorial. Here it is:
This is probably the #1 anatomy mistake I see from people trying to draw cats. I'm not sure if it comes from drawing dogs too much or if it is a side-effect of the Evana craze. The side-legs can be a cute stylization, but if you're trying to get closer to real life, it doesn't work.
Hope this helps!
As always -
Art copyright to
Download for full size!
Another note, here is a great reference that shows the muscles better. It's from one of the books I have called Animal Anatomy for Artists (which has many other great drawings of lions/horses/dogs): [link]
PS! The cats in this tutorial were referenced from live footage and photographs I took myself. I wanted to make sure I mostly had everything right on this tutorial.
This is probably the #1 anatomy mistake I see from people trying to draw cats. I'm not sure if it comes from drawing dogs too much or if it is a side-effect of the Evana craze. The side-legs can be a cute stylization, but if you're trying to get closer to real life, it doesn't work.
Hope this helps!
As always -
Art copyright to
Download for full size!
Another note, here is a great reference that shows the muscles better. It's from one of the books I have called Animal Anatomy for Artists (which has many other great drawings of lions/horses/dogs): [link]
![[link]](https://www.deviantart.com/users/outgoing?http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Lion_anatomy_anterior_view.jpg){kind=link}
PS! The cats in this tutorial were referenced from live footage and photographs I took myself. I wanted to make sure I mostly had everything right on this tutorial.
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© 2009 - 2021 akeli
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Nicely Done!
OH MY GOSH YES
Very nice and very helpful!
hi great drawing tutorial by the I was just wondering if there was a part two of the anatomy cats
This guide is very helpful, thank you!!!
An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artists by W.Ellenberger/Dover Publication
Link to get the book here:
anatomiaartistica.files.wordpr…
Link to get the book here:
anatomiaartistica.files.wordpr…
Beautiful, this will be very helpful in the future as I continue to draw these wonderful creatures.
thanks for this tuto good job
good job 
Failed that exact same pose. Wish I'd had that during my English final.
Thank you very much, I'm going to be modeling a tiger in the near future, and this has definitely cleared a few things up.
Thanks for this tutorial!
Side Note: I am getting a book soon, called An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artists. I don't know if it's the same book you have but it's probably similar.
Side Note: I am getting a book soon, called An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artists. I don't know if it's the same book you have but it's probably similar.
This helps a lot 
This will tremendously help me with drawing one of my original creatures in the future, thank you!
I LOVE YOU
This is sure to help me when I try drawing tigers, thanks!
this is sure to help me! THANK YA
Helpful tutorial!
man boobs
you made my day
"crazy man boob muscles."
LMAO. Thanks for this!!
COOL!!!
thank you !
Thank you, this is very helpful!
Could you do a tutorial on a side view of a tigers head and how head shapes vary from skinny animals to over weight animals please as im having trouble with getting the faces right...
Very helpful and well done!
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