Animals are my favorite things to draw. Because every single creature has its own unique personality! Whether you’re drawing a monkey, cat, or a swan, there is always a story to tell through your pencil.
On this page, I’ve gathered all my favorite animal drawing step by step tutorials into one massive library. I’ve focused on making these tutorials as simple as possible with clear instructions so that even if you’re a kid or an absolute beginner, you can learn how to draw animals easily.
Grab your favorite pencil, and let’s find an animal to draw today!
Jump to your favourite animal category:
Wild and safari animal drawings
Get ready for a big adventure! Wild and safari animals are the bold, powerful creatures of the natural world. They have strong silhouettes and instantly recognisable features that make them satisfying to draw. Working with this category teaches you how to build a drawing from large basic shapes, understand body proportions and create confident outlines that carry a drawing on their own.
Bird drawings
Birds were the first animals I ever learned to draw and they completely changed how I saw drawing! There is something so free and joyful about drawing a bird. And they are also one of the best subjects for practising curves and flowing lines. Each one has its own distinct shape on its own. Once you get comfortable drawing birds you will notice your pencil control improving across everything else you draw too.
Ocean and sea animal drawings
Ocean and sea animals are some of the coolest and magnificent creatures on earth, and they live in a world most of us will never fully explore. That mystery is exactly what makes them so compelling to draw. This category teaches you how to work with smooth flowing curves, build intricate patterns and bring a sense of movement and life to a still drawing.
Insects and small animal drawings
Small does not mean simple. Even though these insects and small animal are tiny, they can be really fun to draw. Drawing them actually teaches you patience, precision and symmetry. These are quiet skills that work in the background but make a noticeable difference across everything else you draw.
Pets and farm animals
Pets and farm animals are the creatures many of us grew up with, and they are always full of character. Drawing them is a great way to learn how to capture personality and expression in your art. I always try to make these look extra friendly and cuddly, just like the animals you’d find at home or in a barnyard. It’s the perfect place to start finding your own unique drawing style!
Drawing animals is one of those skills that starts small and grows quietly. One day you are carefully copying a simple shape, and before you know it you are filling sketchbooks with characters and creatures that are completely your own. Every tutorial on this blog is a small step in that direction. Pick the animal that excites you most, start there, and see where it takes you.
Here are 3 best practices I’d recommend when you start to learn to draw:
- Start with one animal in each category before moving on. It builds a good foundation without overwhelming you.
- Colour with your own creativity. You don’t always have to follow my lead. Make it yours.
- Keep all your drawings in one sketchbook. Flipping back through old pages is the best way to see how much your drawing skills have improved.
