How to Draw a Cheetah
A cheetah is slim and light, so start with a long oval for the body and a round head, and keep the legs long and thin. Eight steps take you from those first shapes to ears, a curling tail, a face with dark tear lines and, at the very end, a scatter of round spots. Print the tracing worksheet if you want to practice the long legs before you draw your own.
Watch it come together
What you need
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Paper
- Black marker for the spots
- Golden-yellow pencil or crayon
Steps
Step 1 of 8
Draw a long oval for the body.
Step 2 of 8
Draw a circle for the head, up and to the left of the body.
Step 3 of 8
Join the head to the body with two curved lines for the neck.
Step 4 of 8
Draw four long, thin legs and give each one a round paw.
Step 5 of 8
Add two small round ears and a long tail that curls up at the end.
Step 6 of 8
Draw two dots for the eyes, a dot for the nose and a smiling mouth.
Step 7 of 8
Add the dark tear lines that run from the eyes down to the mouth.
Step 8 of 8
Finish with round spots all over the body and legs.
All together
Your finished drawing. Now it is ready for color.
Ready to color?
Print the coloring page of this drawing in three levels, or color it on screen.
Go to the coloring pageTracing worksheet
Print the sheet and trace over the faint lines to practice before you draw on your own.
Questions and answers
- How do I keep the cheetah's legs from looking wobbly?
- Draw the two sides of each leg almost straight and close together, then finish with a small round paw. Draw lightly first, and darken the lines once you like them.
- When should I draw the spots?
- Last. Once the body, legs and face are finished, dot the spots over the body and legs with a pencil or marker. Keep them small and a little uneven, like real ones.
