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.
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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
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Draw the outer Mickey Mouse head shape.
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Add the M shape inside of Mickey’s head.
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Draw his two eyes with brow lines.
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Add the nose below the eyes.
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Draw a smiling mouth and includea lip.
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Add two ears on top of the head.
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Draw Floyd’s signature.
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Finish with some burst lines around Mickey’s head.
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Trace with a marker and loosely fill in the black shapes.