How to draw Gary the Snail
Hey there, Doodleers! Today we’re slowing things down (literally) with SpongeBob’s loyal pet—Gary the Snail! This one’s perfect for beginners because each step only adds a line or two. You’ll be amazed how quickly a few simple curves turn into Bikini Bottom’s smartest mollusk. Whether you’re brand new to drawing or just want a relaxing project, Gary’s your guy (or snail).
Grab your pencil, get comfy, and let’s ease into this step-by-step drawing together. Meow!
Quick Tip: Always start your drawing lightly with a pencil—this way, you can easily erase any little mistakes, and your final artwork will look clean, neat, and totally awesome!
Step 1
Start with a large oval, slightly upright. This will be his shell.
Step 2
Add in two circles for his eyes and a little wavy lip for the bottom of Gary’s shell.
Step 3
Add a wiggly base that will serve as Gary’s slimy body.
Step 4
Add in a few long lines for his eye stalks and a curling line in the center of his shell.
Step 5
Add in a couple of pupils, another curling line to finish off his shell swirl, and several ovals around his shell for decoration.
Step 6
Carefully erase all the initial pencil guidelines, leaving a clean, inked drawing of Gary ready to be colored!
Step 7
Grab all the colors that make Gary Gary. Blue for his slug-body with a layer of green at the bottom. Gary’s shell is a fleshy pink with a deep red swirl in the center of it. Purple ovals pepper his shell too add a little character.
At DoofyDoodles, we love giving our characters a playful spin. Try experimenting with Gary’s expressions—make him look extra calm, super angry, or sick as a dog.
Related Questions about Drawing Gary the Snail
Is Gary hard to draw?
Not at all! Gary is one of the easiest SpongeBob characters to draw. Each step adds just one or two lines, making him perfect for beginners.
Why doesn’t my Gary look right?
It’s all about the proportions—make sure his eyes are tall and close together, and the spiral on his shell curves smoothly toward the center.
Can I draw Gary digitally?
Absolutely! Drawing Gary in digital apps makes it easy to get smooth, rounded shapes and add color gradients to his shell.
Why does Gary meow?
Even though he’s a sea snail, Gary behaves like a cat. The creators of SpongeBob SquarePants gave him a meow to make him extra endearing.
Fun Facts about Gary
He’s SpongeBob’s pet – Gary lives with SpongeBob in a pineapple under the sea and often acts as the voice of reason.
He’s super smart – Despite his quiet “meow,” Gary is shown to be one of the most intelligent creatures in Bikini Bottom.
Gary can move fast – In a few episodes, he’s proven that he can zoom when he wants to, especially if food is involved.
His full name is Gerald – Officially, Gary’s name is Gerald Gary Snail.
He was one of the first characters created – Gary appeared in the original SpongeBob pilot and has been part of the show since the very beginning.
Here at DoofyDoodles, we believe everyone can enjoy doodling their favorite characters. Keep practicing, stay silly, and explore our How To Draw page for more fantastic drawing guides and doodling adventures!
