How to

How to Draw a Giraffe – Step by Step Tutorial

Welcome to our step-by-step guide on how to draw a cartoon giraffe. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of creating impressive giraffe drawings. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this guide is perfect for improving your drawing skills and having fun along the way.

Skip to my Lou - How to Draw a Giraffe - The finished cartoon and realistic giraffe drawings.

Easy Giraffe Drawing

To start with, find a quiet and comfortable space where you can focus on your drawing. This tutorial is suitable for young artists who are just starting to learn how to draw, as well as older kids who want to refine their skills. If you’ve always wanted to draw a giraffe but didn’t know where to begin, this post is perfect for you. Grab a pencil and some paper, and let’s get started on drawing a giraffe together.

Essential Drawing Supplies for Drawing a Giraffe

Before you begin your giraffe drawing, gather the following art supplies:

  • Sketching Pencils
  • Kneaded Rubber Eraser
  • Sketch Pad
  • Erasable Colored Pencils
  • Fine markers
  • Sketch and Drawing Art Pencil Set
  • Artist drawing set (A great gift for new and experienced artists)

How to Draw a Giraffe Step-by-Step

Cartoon

Step 1

Let’s start by drawing the giraffe’s head. Begin by sketching a small oval shape near the top left of your page. Then, draw a curved line up from the left of the oval and back down to connect to the right of the oval.

Cartoon Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 1 - The head

Step 2

Now, it’s time to add facial features. In the top of the head, draw a small circle on both sides for the eyes. Add more detail inside each eye. In the bottom half of the giraffe’s face, draw a curved line for the mouth. Finally, add two small dots above for nostrils.

Cartoon Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 2 - The face

Step 3

Let’s give our giraffe ears and horns. Draw a curved shape on both sides of the head for the ears. Then, add another line on the inside to show the inside of the ear. Next, draw a small horn on either side of the head using short vertical lines with a circle at the end.

Cartoon Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 3 - Ears and horns

Step 4

Now, let’s draw the giraffe’s body. Start with the long neck, beginning just below the head on the left-hand side. Draw a curved line downward to the top of the leg. Then, draw a line starting on the right side of the head, going down and then to the right to form the giraffe’s back. Next, draw the front and back legs with long vertical lines. Add a slight curve at the bottom of each leg for the feet. Finally, draw an extra line to show the giraffe’s belly and add a tail with a bushy end.

Cartoon Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 4 - The rest of the body

Step 5

In this step, let’s add some detail to our giraffe drawing. Add spots all over your giraffe using small oval shapes. Also, draw a line at the bottom of each leg to show the giraffe’s hooves.

Cartoon Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 5 - Spots and a tail

Step 6

Finally, trace over your pencil drawing with a thin marker to show the final lines.

Cartoon Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 6 - Outlined

Step 7

To add some color to your giraffe drawing, start by coloring the body yellow. Then, color the spots and hooves brown. Finally, color the bottom half of the giraffe’s face light orange.

Skip to my Lou - How to Draw a Giraffe - Colored cartoon giraffe drawing

Realistic

Step 1

Let’s begin with the giraffe’s head and face. Use a curved line to shape the head, making it round on the right and forming a mouth on the left side. Add a small line for the mouth and a small oval shape above for a nostril. To the right of the head, draw an eye and add a small circle inside for the pupil.

Realistic Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 1 - The head

Step 2

Next, complete the giraffe’s head by adding two small horns using vertical lines with circular shapes at the end. Draw an ear using a leaf-like shape on the right side of the head.

Realistic Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 2 - Horns and ear

Step 3

Now, let’s continue with the giraffe’s neck. Draw two curved long lines from each side of the head to about halfway down the page, curving slightly to the right.

Realistic Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 3 - Long neck

Step 4

Next, add some front legs to our giraffe drawing. Start by drawing the left-side leg using smooth vertical lines with indents to show the joints. Then, add the right-side leg, which is mostly hidden behind. Draw small hooves at the bottom of each leg.

Realistic Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 4 - Front legs

Step 5

Let’s finish the rest of the giraffe’s body. Continue the line from the top of the neck towards the right to form the giraffe’s back. Continue this line around to form the left-side hind leg, again with an indent to show the knee joint. Draw a curved horizontal line between the front and back legs to represent the giraffe’s belly. Finally, draw the right-side hind leg similar to the first and add hooves to the end of both legs.

Realistic Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 5 - Back legs

Step 6

In this step, make the giraffe’s neck thicker and add its mane. Make the back of the neck thicker as shown in the drawing. Then, add a line to represent the line of hair on the neck, which is the giraffe’s mane. Also, add a small tail.

Realistic Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 6 - Mane and tail

Step 7

Trace your pencil marks with a thin marker pen to help make your giraffe drawing stand out.

Realistic Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 7 - Outlined

Step 8

Now, let’s add some colors to make your giraffe drawing more realistic. Color the whole body with browns, yellows, and oranges. You can add spots to form a beautiful pattern. Use a dark brown for the hooves, horns, and hair.

Realistic Giraffe Drawing Guide - Step 8 - Some color

Step 9

Lastly, further define the giraffe’s distinct patterning using darker browns. Also, add more spots around the face.

Skip to my Lou - How to Draw a Giraffe - Colored realistic giraffe drawing

Your Finished Giraffe Drawing

Congratulations! You’ve successfully drawn one of the most majestic African animals. You can now enjoy your amazing drawing of the tallest animal on earth. For a more vibrant result, try coloring your drawing with oil pastels next time.

More Fun Drawing Tutorials

If you’re looking for more fun activities, why not try these drawing tutorials:

  • How to Draw a Volleyball: Engage in a fun and creative activity.
  • Basketball Drawing Guide: Perfect for beginners looking to improve their skills.
  • How to Draw a Dinosaur: Create a prehistoric masterpiece.
  • Simple Bird Drawing Tutorial: Draw a realistic and beautiful bird.
  • How to Draw a Book: Sharpen your artistic skills.

Remember, practice makes perfect, and with each drawing, you’re improving your artistic abilities. Keep exploring and having fun with your drawings!

Alexia Young

Hello and welcome to the world of Alexia. I am a passionate and dedicated artist who loves to create beautiful, mesmerizing art for everyone's walls. I believe in the importance of encouraging people to express their creativity and be happy.

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