This Artist Draws Animals With Just A Few Strokes, And They’re Full Of Personality (25 Pics)

ShouXin (手訫) is a contemporary artist from Henan, China, known for his minimalist animal sketches. His drawings, mostly of cats and dogs, use simple lines and empty space to create expressive, lifelike images. Instead of focusing on small details, he plays with contrast—bold lines, soft shading, and sharp edges—to bring out movement and personality.

ShouXin's animals often have striking eyes that stand out against abstract, flowing shapes, making them feel present and full of life. Using just a pencil, an eraser, and small knives for texture, he gives his sketches a balance of sharpness and fluidity. Scroll down to see how ShouXin's simple lines capture so much emotion with so little

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Image credits: shouxin13141

We connected with ShouXin to explore his creative journey and get to know him better. He shared that his passion for drawing has been a part of his life since childhood. "In elementary school, I attended art classes as a hobby, and to this day, I remain deeply fascinated by the world of art.

I officially began studying fine arts in high school, and the journey was filled with challenges. However, I persevered and worked hard, and over time, I developed my own artistic language. That’s why I believe that 'passion' was the true beginning of my artistic journey."

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Image credits: shouxin13141

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Image credits: shouxin13141

ShouXin's work immediately stands out with its minimalistic style, drawing the viewer’s attention through simplicity and subtlety. We wanted to hear more about his thoughts on why he chose minimalism as his artistic approach. "During my art studies, I focused on three main subjects—sketching, quick sketching, and color theory. Among them, I excelled the most in quick sketching. I love the expressive, free-flowing nature of this style—it allows me to convey my thoughts in a direct and uninhibited way."

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Image credits: shouxin13141

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Image credits: shouxin13141

The artist shared that he primarily uses a basic pencil and creates his sketches the traditional way, directly in a sketchbook. "In my creative process, I use a variety of lines to capture and simplify forms. I highlight certain key details while keeping the rest minimal and abstract."

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Image credits: shouxin13141

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Image credits: shouxin13141

Animals have always been a popular subject in art, and for many artists, there's a personal connection that shapes their focus. For ShouXin, this connection began with his love for cats and dogs, which eventually led him to explore sketching them. "I have always loved cats and dogs, and I have two adorable Ragdoll cats myself. My first animal sketches were of them—I used quick sketching to capture their movements and shared the drawings on social media. Unexpectedly, they received a lot of love and appreciation from people. This motivated me to continue sharing my artwork, and it has led to an endless stream of new sketches. I’m truly grateful for everyone’s support and companionship along the way!"