GRID STEP. You can print out the base construction lines and start drawing on tracing paper, or you can draw the grid layout yourself using the following steps.1) Draw a rectangle that will define the conditional proportions and boundaries of the chosen drawing. 2) From the middle of the rectangle, draw one vertical and one horizontal line equally dividing the shape. 3) Draw another horizontal line equally dividing the upper half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a horizontal line equally dividing the bottom half of the rectangle. 4) Draw a vertical line equally dividing the left half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a vertical line equally dividing the right half of the rectangle.

STEP 1. Mark off the width and height of the picture. Draw two ovals for the rat’s head and body. Draw a smooth guideline for its snout.

STEP 2. With smooth lines, define the shapes of the rat’s neck and back.

STEP 3. Define the facial features. Draw the belly and chest. Outline the rat’s tail.

STEP 4. Add guidelines for the legs. Delineate the snout and ears.

STEP 5. Sketch the legs and lower jaw.

STEP 6. Add toes and the eyes of the rat.

STEP 7. End up with feet. Work on the whole figure, paying special attention to details.

STEP 8. Contour the rat, trying to vary the thickness and blackness of the line. Add more details and the ground. Erase all guidelines.