Silly Aliens drawing books: step by step or grid?

Two books, one cast of Silly Aliens characters by cartoonist Kevin Coulston. Best for kids who like goofy, many-eyed space visitors.

Ages 5+
By Kevin Coulston
2 books

Step by step · a great first book

How to Draw: Silly Aliens

Silly Aliens is a step-by-step drawing book for kids who would rather meet a funny extraterrestrial than a realistic space creature. Its 50 original aliens offer varied shapes and personalities.

Each character is built through approachable stages for ages 5 and up. After completing a lesson, children can change the features or add an accessory to invent a new visitor from their own imaginary planet.

See it on Amazon More about this book on FirstArtBooks.com

Grid · for careful, puzzle-loving kids

Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens

Silly Aliens makes an entertaining subject for the grid method because every character can have a different set of odd features. Kids copy 50 extraterrestrials one square at a time.

Intended for ages 5 and up, this alien grid drawing book suits a child who enjoys close observation without realistic subject matter. The finished character can become a starting point for a whole new imaginary planet.

See it on Amazon More about this book on FirstArtBooks.com

Look inside

Real pages from the books. Swipe or scroll for more.

A page from How to Draw: Silly Aliens — How to Draw: Silly Aliens, page sample 1

A page from Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens — Draw by Grid: Silly Aliens, page sample 1

More free sample pages →

Which one should you get?

Same characters, different kinds of practice. Pick step by step for a first drawing book. Pick grid for a kid who likes puzzles, or who already has the step-by-step book.

	Step by step (How to Draw)	Grid (Draw by Grid)
What your kid does	Adds one new line or shape at a time, in six steps, then draws the whole character again.	Copies the picture one lettered square at a time onto a matching blank grid.
Feels like	Learning how a cartoonist builds a character.	A calm drawing puzzle.
Best for	A first drawing book, ages 5 and up.	Careful, patient kids and anyone who likes accuracy.
Builds	Seeing shapes inside characters, following directions, confidence.	Observation, proportion and pencil control.

Getting both? Many families start with the step-by-step book, then add the grid book when their kid wants a calmer challenge with the same characters.

Under 5? Tracing comes before drawing. Trace Then Color: Cartoon Aliens (ages 3+) is on our coloring site →

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