How to Draw the Thing

We continue drawing characters from the Fantastic Four and now learn how to draw the Thing, a superhero with a body made of stone. His real name is Ben Grimm, and his shape is based on exaggerated anatomy with minimal costume elements.

Important features include the square jaw, large hands and feet, and the consistent cracked rock pattern covering the entire body. The rock lines should be as irregular as possible. His blue trunks and white belt provide the only break in the surface texture, helping separate the upper and lower body visually.

Classic comic book artists usually start to draw the Thing with a broad silhouette and rough proportions before moving on to the heavy lines of the limbs and torso. The cracked surface is drawn last, once the main form is established. Each line segment of the rock pattern is curved and varied, helping to avoid symmetry and keep the figure look natural.

How to Draw the Thing Step-by-Step

Step 1: Sketch the Thing’s skeleton

To draw the Thing, sketch an oval for the head and build a wide chest and pelvis using simple rounded shapes. Add lines for the limbs with joints marked by small circles. Use very light lines for the first steps.

Step 2: Outline the upper body of the Thing

Start detailing the shape of the body by drawing the thick neck, rounded shoulders, and sides of the ribcage and waist. This with start adding volume to the superhero. Keep the lines blocky and solid, but use very light lines.

Step 3: Construct the arms of Ben Grimm

Add cylindrical shapes for the upper arms and forearms. Use circles for the shoulders and elbows. Outline large fists using angular shapes to give them volume and make them look powerful.

Step 4: Outline the lower body

Construct the legs with thick lines and bulky forms. Then, sketch the knees of the Thing using large circles. Add flattened feet with a solid base. Use very basic and light lines.

Step 5: Draw Ben Grimm’s facial features

Draw the Thing’s brow, eyes, nose, and mouth. Use bold horizontal lines for the brow and keep the facial details simple. To draw the facial features symmetrically, use the guidelines from the two.

Step 6: Detail the torso of the Thing

Sketch the belt area and define the torso with smooth liens. Trace the neck and waist area to give these parts almost finished and polished look. Sketch lines for the pectoral muscles.

Step 7: Add final contours to the arms

Outline the arms and fists more cleanly, shaping the fingers and reinforcing the massive, chunky look of the limbs. Use much darker and thicker lines to give the outlines of the arms a complete look.

Step 8: Draw the Thing’s legs and feet in detail

To detail the legs of the Thing, use the same smooth and confident lines to trace the initial drawing. Darken the upper legs, lower legs, and feed, drawing the toes with short curves.

Step 9: Draw rock texture on the Thing’s head

Begin the rocky pattern by drawing irregular cracks and stone segments over the face and top of the head of the Thing. Try to keep the lines sharp and vary the size and shape of the stones.

Step 10: Continue the stone pattern on the torso

Continue the cracked rock pattern down the chest and shoulders. Vary the shapes and sizes to keep the texture organic. Keep in mind that the size of stones on the torso should be noticeable larger than on the head.

Step 11: Draw texture on the Thing’s arms

Add irregular, crack-like lines across both arms and hands. Vary the size and angle of each shape while following the form of the muscles and joints. Use simple lines for texture on the fingers.

Step 12: Fill the lower body with stone pattern

Finish adding textile by drawing more stone segments over both legs and feet. Keep the shapes rounded and loosely fitted together, making sure they flow naturally down the limbs.

Step 13: Outline the complete figure of the Thing

Trace over your completed sketch of the Thing with a clean black outline. Go over all major shapes and texture lines, then erase the construction lines to tidy up the drawing.

Step 14: Paint the drawing of Ben Grimm

Fill in the body with an orange or yellow-brown tone. Use a medium blue for the shorts and add white for the belt. Keep the colors solid for a comic book look.

Now that you’ve completed your drawing of the Thing, take a moment to review the lines and adjust any small details. You can vary the size and shape of the stone texture if you want a rougher or more simplified look. This version is based on a classic comic book style, but you’re free to try other renditions from different eras or animated adaptations.

If you’d like to continue drawing characters from the Fantastic Four, try sketching Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, or the Human Torch to complete the full team. These characters each offer different challenges, from stretchy anatomy to fire effects. Practicing different body types and textures will help you develop your comic book drawing skills.

Also, try to draw Spider-Man, if you like Marvel Comics characters, or draw Batman, if you are a fan of DC comics.

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