Is It OK for Kids to Copy Drawings?

Is it OK for kids to copy drawings? Yes, copying is how most artists learn. Here's why it helps, and how to move from copying to creating.

By Kevin Coulston, author and illustrator of 88 children’s art books · November 11, 2026 · 2 min read

Yes, it is OK for kids to copy drawings. Copying is how most artists learn: it teaches how shapes fit together, how lines create expression and how other artists solve problems. The key is to gradually add their own ideas.

Kids often copy characters from books, shows and games. Parents sometimes worry it limits creativity. Usually, it does the opposite.

Why copying helps

Learning shapes. How a character is built.
Learning techniques. Line, proportion, expression.
Building confidence. Successful drawings.
Developing taste. Noticing what they like.

Artists learn by copying

Art students have copied master works for centuries. Cartoonists often learned by copying their favorite comics.

Dinosaurs: a classic to copy

How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs shows kids how to build dinosaurs step by step. Once they have copied a T. rex, they can change it: give it a hat, a skateboard or a friend.

From copying to creating

Change one thing each time.
Mix parts from different drawings.
Draw in new situations.
Invent a sibling for the character.

Honesty

Teach kids to say when a drawing is copied, especially if sharing publicly. See copying, credit and originality.

Questions parents ask

Is copying good for learning to draw?

Yes. Copying teaches shapes, techniques and proportion, and builds confidence.

Does copying stop kids being creative?

Not when they gradually add their own ideas. Copying builds the skills creativity needs.

How do I help my child move from copying to original drawing?

Encourage them to change something each time, mix parts and draw characters in new situations.

More in ways to learn to draw, or browse all 217 posts on the blog.