How to Draw Like Floyd Norman: Easy Art Lesson for Kids

How to Draw Like Floyd Norman: Easy Art Lesson for Kids


Here you’ll find an easy step-by-step tutorial for how to draw like Floyd Norman. He was a trailblazing figure in animation history.

How to Draw Like Floyd Norman Art Lesson

When students try out a project that shows them how to draw like Floyd Norman, the legendary Disney animator and storyteller, they can benefit in many ways.

Norman’s work emphasized personality and emotion in characters. This helps children develop creativity and an understanding of how to bring their own characters to life. Studying an artist like Floyd Norman helps students understand animation history and the contributions of Black artists in entertainment.

Floyd Norman: A Legacy in Animation

Floyd Norman’s legacy is not just in the art he created but in the doors he opened for others and the lasting influence he has had on animation storytelling.

In the late 1950s, Floyd Norman became the first Black animator to work at Walt Disney Studios, breaking racial barriers in the industry. He contributed to beloved Disney films like Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians, and Robin Hood, helping shape the golden age of Disney animation. His career spanned over six decades, working for Disney, Hanna-Barbera.

Floyd’s interests also extended beyond his own personal career. He mentored countless young animators and has spoken openly about diversity in animation, paving the way for future generations of artists. In 2007, he was officially recognized as a Disney Legend, an honor given to individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Walt Disney Company.

Preview of the tutorial for how to draw like Floyd Norman, as shown by a sketch he made of Mickey Mouse.

Floyd Norman Drawing Lesson Materials List

How to Draw Like Floyd Norman Step-by-Step Instructions

Time needed: 30 minutes

Draw Mickey Mouse like Floyd Norman

  1. Draw the outer Mickey Mouse head shape.
    Outline the head shape to start drawing like Floyd Norman.

  2. Add the M shape inside of Mickey’s head.
    Add the inside M shape to define facial structure in your drawing.

  3. Draw his two eyes with brow lines.
    Draw two eyes with brow lines to bring the face to life

  4. Add the nose below the eyes.
    Sketch the nose below the eyes for facial detail.

  5. Draw a smiling mouth and includea lip.
    Add a smiling mouth with a lip to enhance expression.

  6. Add two ears on top of the head.
    Draw two ears to complete the facial outline.

  7. Draw Floyd’s signature.
    Add Floyd Norman’s signature as a finishing touch.

  8. Finish with some burst lines around Mickey’s head.
    Draw burst lines around Mickey’s head for extra effect.

  9. Trace with a marker and loosely fill in the black shapes.
    Trace with a marker and fill in black shapes to complete the drawing.



Originally published in artprojectsforkids.org