How to Draw a Squirrel: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 5 min read

Ever admired the playful antics of a squirrel and wished you could capture that charm on paper? If so, this guide on how to draw an easy to draw squirrel is just what you need. Regardless of whether you're a complete beginner or someone looking to refine their drawing skills, this step-by-step guide will walk you through all the necessary stages, from gathering your materials to adding the finishing touches.

1. Gather Your Materials

Before we dive into the world of sketching squirrels, it's important to gather all the necessary materials. The right tools can make your drawing process smoother and more enjoyable. Here's what you'll need:

Choose Your Pencil

Not all pencils are created equal when it comes to drawing. For beginners, a standard HB pencil is a good starting point, as it provides a nice balance between hardness and softness. This means you can create both light and dark lines with the same pencil. As you progress, you might want to explore a range of pencils from 2H (hard) to 6B (soft), which allows for a greater variety of line quality and depth.

Pick Your Paper

Paper is an often overlooked but vital part of the drawing process. While it's possible to draw on any old piece of paper you have lying around, a sketchbook or drawing pad will offer a much better experience. Look for one that has a slightly textured surface - this helps the pencil grip the page and creates a more defined line. And remember, the thicker the paper, the less likely it is to tear or smudge your work.

Assemble Your Tools

Now that you've got your pencil and paper sorted, there are a few more tools that will come in handy. First up is an eraser - not just for rectifying mistakes, but also for creating highlights in your drawing. A pencil sharpener is also a must-have, as a sharp pencil point will allow for more precise lines. Lastly, consider getting a smudge stick (also known as a blending stump), which can be used to smooth out your shading and give your easy to draw squirrel a more realistic look.

2. Observe The Squirrel

A vital part of drawing any animal, including our easy to draw squirrel, is taking the time to observe the real thing. This doesn't mean you need to sit in a park for hours on end—although, that can be fun too! You can also observe squirrels in pictures or videos. Here's what to focus on:

Study Anatomy

Take note of a squirrel's unique physical features. Notice how their bodies are round and plump, with a slight arch on the back. Their heads are small with large eyes that are located more to the side than front. And of course, the tail! Squirrels are known for their bushy tails, which are often larger than the rest of their body. Understanding these basic anatomical features will make your squirrel drawing more accurate and believable.

Observe Behavior

Squirrels are lively creatures, always scampering about, leaping from branch to branch, or busy burying their nutty treasures. Take note of their typical poses and movements. Is the squirrel sitting upright while eating? Or is it darting around with its tail raised high? Incorporating these behaviors into your drawing can add a touch of realism and dynamism.

Note Details

Finally, pay attention to the smaller details. Look at the way the fur grows, the color variations, the shape of the paws, and the brightness of the eyes. While these details might seem insignificant, including them in your drawing can make your easy to draw squirrel come to life on the page.

3. Start With a Basic Shape

Now that you've observed squirrels and understood their unique features, it's time to start sketching your easy to draw squirrel. Let's begin with the basic shapes.

Draw the Body

Think of the body as a plump, slightly elongated circle or oval. Draw this shape lightly on your paper, as this will serve as the base of your squirrel. The size of this shape will determine the size of your squirrel, so choose accordingly.

Sketch the Head

Next, draw a smaller circle attached to the body for the head. Remember, a squirrel's head is smaller than its body. For a more dynamic pose, you might want to place the head slightly lower than the top of the body, giving the impression that the squirrel is hunched over or busy with something.

Outline the Tail

Now comes the fun part - the tail! Draw an elongated teardrop shape for the tail, making sure it's bushy and bigger than the body. Feel free to exaggerate the size a bit—after all, it's one of the squirrel's most distinctive features! This basic shape will help you create a fluffy, realistic tail in the next steps.

Starting with basic shapes like these not only makes your squirrel easier to draw but also ensures that the proportions are correct. So, even if you're only just starting out, your squirrel drawing will still look impressive!

4. Refine Your Drawing

With the basic shapes in place, it's time to refine your easy to draw squirrel. This stage involves adding more detail to the sketch and making it look more like a squirrel.

Define the Eyes

To give your squirrel some character, let's start with the eyes. Draw two small circles for the eyes, ensuring they are set relatively close together on the face. Don't forget to leave a small white dot in each eye for the light reflection—this adds life to your drawing.

Draw the Fur

Moving onto the body, it's time to draw the fur. Squirrels have short fur on their bodies and longer fur on their tails. To depict this, use short, jagged lines for the body's fur and longer, flowing lines for the tail. The more lines you draw, the fluffier your squirrel will look.

Add Details

Lastly, let's add the final details. Sketch small triangles for the ears on top of the head and draw the nose and mouth below the eyes. Don't forget the tiny paws too! These small details are what will bring your squirrel to life.

Refining your drawing might seem daunting at first, but it's these small touches that will make your squirrel look realistic and unique. So, don't be afraid to add as many details as you can. Happy drawing!

5. Add Finishes

Now that you've successfully refined your squirrel sketch, we've reached the final step in our easy to draw squirrel guide—adding the finishes. Let's give your squirrel drawing the final flourishes it deserves.

Shade Your Drawing

Shading is a great way to add depth and dimension to your squirrel. Pay attention to where the light hits the squirrel. The parts of the squirrel that are furthest from the light source will be darker, so use a heavier hand there. Conversely, the parts of the squirrel closer to the light source will be lighter — use a lighter touch when shading these areas.

Erase Excess Lines

Once you're satisfied with the shading, it's time to clean up your drawing by erasing any excess or guide lines. This step will make your squirrel drawing look neat and polished.

Add Highlights

Finally, let's add some highlights to your squirrel drawing. Highlights are the lightest parts of your drawing and they can really make your squirrel pop! To do this, you can use an eraser to lift some of the shading off the areas you want to highlight like the tip of the tail, or the top of the head.

Congratulations! You've just completed your easy to draw squirrel. Remember, drawing is a process of learning and improving. So, keep practicing and each squirrel you draw will be better than the last. Happy sketching!

If you enjoyed learning how to draw a squirrel and want to continue improving your drawing skills, check out the workshop 'Drawing with Ease and Accuracy' by Yazmin Moktan. This workshop will provide you with the techniques and guidance you need to enhance your drawing abilities and create stunning artwork with confidence.