How to draw a monster – in pictures

Step one: Sketch lots of different shapes until something that you like the look of appears on your paper. Remember, monsters can be any shape – short and stocky, tall and thin, rounded with short legs, square bodied with long legs – and their versatility is all part of their indefinable charm. Once you've settled on a shape, draw a rough outline with a pencil.
Illustration: Jonathan Edwards

Step two: Now you've got the basic body shape, it's time to think about its features: these are what gives your monster personality. A large mouth with a row of distinctive teeth is a great place to start – any monster needs a good set of gnashers to be able to chew through trees, buildings and the occasional unruly child. Experiment with the number of eyes (anything from one to 100) and their placement (close together or wide apart?) Moving the eyes and mouth up and down the body can make a huge difference to your monster's character.
Illustration: Jonathan Edwards

Step three: Consider the finer details, again using a pencil. Is your monster going to be hairy, scaly, a combination of both or a weird and wonderful texture you've yet to invent? Maybe it's a hirsute mountain dwelling beast (like Bigfoot) or a fish-skinned lake dweller (like Nessie or a Japanese kappa). Does it have horns, antlers or a tail? You could even give your monster clothes – perhaps a hat, a shirt and tie or a tiny top hat. Just because it's a monster doesn't mean it can't be dapper. What's better than a dapper Kappa?
Illustration: Jonathan Edwards

Step four: At this point, you can add the black lines, helping give your drawing shape and form. I prefer to use a brush and ink but you can use whatever you prefer – marker pens, felt pens, ballpoints, an old twig dipped in paint perhaps. Use thicker lines to show where the shadows fall in your drawing: this gives your monster weight and substance (which is what all monsters strive for, right?) When the ink is dry, rub out the pencil lines.
Illustration: Jonathan Edwards

Step five: Now to choose your monster's colour. Is it bright and cheerful? Perhaps it wants to be the centre of attention and enjoys parading around town like a terrifying peacock. Or, if they like to remain inconspicuous when hiding in your wardrobe, under your bed or just behind where you're sitting right now, subdued colours might be best. I prefer a limited palette, so give my monsters just two or three colours. But use as many as you like – when it comes to monsters, there are no rules.
Illustration: Jonathan Edwards