If you’re producing a video, I’ll bet you’re looking for that wow factor. But maybe you don’t have time to learn animation and illustration from scratch. But thanks to drawing in CapCut, you can create freeform illustrations that set your video apart, without all the hassle.
Drawing tools let you add illustration and annotation. This tutorial is the complete guide to drawing in CapCut. With drawing in CapCut, you can create freeform designs that draw attention and enhance your video. It’s a powerful and simple edit that promises to radically transform any CapCut project. Let’s dive in.
Why use drawing tools in CapCut for video editing?
CapCut’s drawing tools are very easy to use. But why should you incorporate them into your video edits?
After all, it’s not something that you may think about automatically. Typically, video editing simply features footage, effects, and music. Why is drawing a useful feature, and how can it help your videos shine?
Think of drawing as additional shapes and designs that overlay on your footage. To help you think about them, consider these advantages that you’ll enjoy with CapCut drawing:
- It’s easier to emphasize key details in a clip. Drawing isn’t just a fun or creative edit. It’s also a compelling way to call audience attention to key details in your videos. For example, you can circle certain sections. It’s only natural that viewers will look right at the highlighted area.
- They’re creative and engaging edits. The key to successful videos is engagement. That means you want your audience to stay focused and connected with your video content. Drawing effects can help you enhance otherwise-dry footage.
- CapCut’s intuitive interface makes drawing easy. CapCut is a mobile app that you can carry anywhere. It also has a simple interface that simplifies drawing. It saves you the work of learning complex apps.
- You can create a custom and distinctive aesthetic for your videos. Drawing on your videos helps you create a unique visual style for your own projects. If you apply these edits consistently, your videos will become more recognizable, setting you apart.
Intrigued? You should be - drawing in CapCut is an incredible style effect that you can add in no time. Let’s learn how to do it, step by step.
How to draw in CapCut: the step-by-step complete guide
CapCut is a multi-platform video editing app. So, what does that mean for you? Primarily, that you can edit and draw on video projects from wherever you are! Unlike other leading editing apps, it works on your phone. Complete portability equals unlimited creative flexibility.
For this tutorial, I’ll work in CapCut on an Apple iPhone running iOS 17. If you’re an Android fan, you’re all set too. CapCut offers a full free version from the Google Play Store. And, if you do want to edit on your computer, Mac and Windows versions are offered as well.
The video footage that you’ll see in the tutorial below is sourced from Envato Elements. If you’d like to download the clip and follow along, you can do so by clicking here. This is one of countless stock clips that Elements has to offer.
1. Open a CapCut project and choose a video to edit
Drawing in CapCut works with any video that you choose to edit. To begin, let’s take a moment and learn the basic layout of CapCut and how editing works in the app.
When you initially open CapCut on your device, you’re ready to edit. Look first to the bottom of your screen. There, you’ll see four menu tabs: Edit, Templates, Inbox, and Me.
Make sure you’re working on the Edit tab. Customarily, this is CapCut’s default view, so you’re likely already there. On the Edit tab, you’ll find yourself in CapCut’s project gallery. In CapCut, projects are working video files. They group all of your multimedia together for a given edit. And with a project open, you can make edits, add styles, and draw!
Choose an existing project, or create a fresh one by tapping New project. If you choose New project, your Camera Roll opens. On it, you can find a saved video file and import it into CapCut. You can also add multiple clips: simply click more than one thumbnail, then choose Add.
When you have a project up and running, you’re ready to draw in CapCut!
2. Launch the draw tools in CapCut
CapCut has a full drawing menu, packed with features. But it’s rather well hidden. Odds are, you won’t stumble across this tool if you’re just browsing CapCut! Here’s how to find it.
Start by looking at the main layout. Front and center, you’ll see a video preview gallery. On it, the video clip that you’re working with appears in real time. And any effects - including drawing - that you add will show up here live. Below the preview, at the very bottom of your screen, you can see CapCut’s toolbar.
Think of the toolbar as the control center for styles and edits in CapCut. It’s a row of menu buttons, each packing a vast and versatile array of options. The toolbar is also scrollable! This means that you can’t see every option at the same time. Swipe from right to left with your finger to uncover more selections.
To find and launch CapCut’s Draw tools, scroll to the right. You’ll come across the Stickers menu option. Tap Stickers, and CapCut’s sticker gallery will launch.
Stickers in CapCut are useful - but they’re not the focus of this tutorial. However, you have to go through this menu to find the Draw tools. Once the sticker gallery opens, tap the Checkmark icon on the center right of your screen. When you do, the gallery will vanish, and you can see the toolbar once again.
On the toolbar, navigate to the far right side of the listed options. There, you’ll see the Draw button! Tap Draw to open CapCut’s suite of drawing tools.
3. Adjust the drawing effects to fit your needs
CapCut’s Draw menu now appears on your screen. It launches as a panel menu with assorted options. Two major categories exist here: Basic and Pattern. Basic designs can be thought of as solid colors. Pattern options feature multiple shades in a single drawing step.
You have choices to make here, thanks to CapCut’s unmatched creative flexibility. Across the top, you can see different line options that you can draw with. These vary the thickness of lines, their texture, shade, and more. Scroll across, and you’ll see each option with its own thumbnail.
Below the line style chooser are the color options. You’ll see a row of circular color previews. You can apply these shades simply by clicking on any of the thumbnail designs. But with CapCut, you don’t have to lean only on these pre-built settings. The two menu options on the far left side of the color menu offer many more options.
First up is the Eyedropper icon. Tap this, and you’ll see a circle appear on your video preview. In the center of this circle is a dot. Move the dot to select a color, and your CapCut drawing tool will match that color. It’s an incredible way to draw in CapCut, while precisely matching any color shown in your video.
If you just want more color flexibility, hit the rainbow palette icon next to the Eyedropper. This is a full color chooser, and it launches instantly. Here, you can precisely dial in any shade that you want to use to draw with in CapCut. Below the color options you’ll also see the Size slider. This controls the thickness of your lines in CapCut.
Spend a few moments exploring your options, and tap your favorite to select it. You’re now ready to draw in CapCut!
4. Draw on videos for inspiring styles
When you’ve made your drawing style selections, you’re good to go! It’s time to draw in CapCut. To do that, press and hold your finger on the video preview section above the Draw panel.
Hold your finger down, and draw any shape or object that you want. Once again, you’ll see your drawing appear in real time. Use drawing in CapCut to circle objects, create fun shapes, and more.
You can also draw in multiple ways on one video. If you’ve made a drawing and want another in a different style, simply return to the menu and set some new parameters. Then, go back to the video preview and start drawing again. This way, you can add multiple lines, different colors, and so much more.
Finished drawing? Tap the Checkmark, and you’ll be back on CapCut’s main Edit view.
5. Export and share CapCut drawing videos with the world
Ready to share your drawing CapCut video with the world? To do that, find and select the Share button. It can be found in the far upper right corner of your CapCut screen.
Press Share, and CapCut will begin saving your video. Once it finishes, you’ll have an exported video file saved to your device. It’s shareable, just like every other video.
Sharing to your social media? CapCut makes this very easy. Once the export finishes, you’ll see several sharing options appear on screen. For example, you can directly post to TikTok. And if you’re a Facebook, WhatsApp, or Instagram user, direct sharing options are available for those platforms too. All work at the touch of a button.
Learn more CapCut tips and tricks for better videos in 2024
Drawing tools in CapCut help you style videos in creative and amazing ways. But they’re only one of countless features the app has to offer. If this tutorial has inspired you to learn more about CapCut, you’ve come to the right place! Here at Envato Tuts+, we’re building a long list of handy CapCut tutorials.
Why not elevate your skills today? Here are some trending tutorials from our library to help you get started:
How to quickly apply blur effects to videos in CapCut
CapCut: How to Quickly Use Green Screen (Chroma Key)
How to Quickly Use CapCut for Video Editing (Tutorial, 2025)
How to Quickly Remove a CapCut Watermark
How safe is it to use CapCut? Is CapCut safe for kids?
Draw in CapCut to make amazing videos right now
In this tutorial, I showed you how to draw in CapCut. This slick, cool edit is easy to do: it takes mere seconds! Launch CapCut, open the Draw tool, and set your parameters.
Then, you’ve become an artist on every video. Draw and make all the effects that you want. It’s a sure way to create more compelling and visually stylish videos in CapCut.
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