How to Draw a Turtle
Want to sketch a the most popular slow-moving animal? This tutorial on how to draw a turtle will show you how to sketch it in several ways.
How to Draw a Turtle: Introduction
Turtles have a very recognizable body structure. These cute reptiles are common in animated stories and children’s books because of their very interesting and unique appearance. Their large shell, small head, and short legs are easy to reduce into basic shapes and reproduce if you are a very inexperienced artist.
In my experience, the turtle is one of the most favorite animals to draw among children and even taking a pencil in hand for the first time, a child will be able to depict on paper something that we recognize as a turtle.
But in this lesson, I still want to show you how to draw a turtle, albeit in the simplest way possible, but so that the finished drawing is as beautiful and professional as possible.
To cover the topic of drawing a turtle as thoroughly as possible, I’ve added several additional methods to the main lesson. Together, we’ll try a very simple version suitable for preschoolers, a more detailed and advanced one, and explore many new and useful drawing tips along the way.
Turtle Drawing Tutorial
Materials
- Pencil
- Paper
- Eraser
- Coloring supplies
Time needed: 35 minutes
How to Draw a Turtle
- Drawing the turtle’s basic shape.
Sketch two very light and smooth ovals. The larger oval forms the body of the turtle. Slightly above and to the right, draw a smaller oval for the head. At this stage, the overall silhouette should look like a snowman lying on its side.
- Add features to the turtle’s head.
Draw two large oval eyes inside the head shape. Between and slightly below the eyes of the turtle, add a couple of small dots for the nose and a simple smiling mouth. The month of the turtle should have a recognizable curve with a small pointed central part.
- Sketch the reptile’s front legs.
Beneath the body, draw two front legs of the turtle using simple rectangular shapes that slightly flare at the bottom. The front leg closer to the viewer should be more visible, while the top of the other can be tucked behind the shell slightly. For a sea turtle variation, angle the legs backward and make them flatter like fins.
- Add the back limbs of the animal.
The back legs of the turtle should be drawn similarly to the front legs, but might be slightly shorter. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the turtle’s legs, the bottom of the feet must be flat. The further back leg should be overlapped by the closer front leg for a more three-dimensional look.
- Sketch the neck and bottom shell.
Connect the head and body with two short curved lines for the neck of the turtle. Then draw the front outline of the shell just below the head of the reptile. If you’re drawing an older turtle, consider making the neck longer and more wrinkled, or keep it simple and short for a younger version.
- Complete the turtle shell shape.
Draw a couple of large curved line on the back of the turtle to define the bottom rim of the shell. This line should slope down smoothly from the neck and then rise slightly towards the tail area. You could stylize the edge with a bumpier line or keep it clean and smooth.
- Add pattern lines to the shell.
Inside the shell, divide the space with a few curved and angled lines to represent plates or segments. You can follow a hexagon-like pattern or make them more freeform. If you want a detailed look, add more tiles across the shell. Also, don’t forget the side plates of the shell – draw some semi-circles around the rim.
- Draw the toes and finalize the sketch.
At the bottom of each leg, draw three simple toes. These can be shaped like small rounded bumps or simple lines, depending on the style. Erase any overlapping or unnecessary guidelines. Now’s a good time to smoothen the linework. You could add a tiny tail peeking from the back.
- Add color to your turtle.
Fill in the shell of the turtle with a brown tone and the body with green. You can also add a lighter beige to the underside of the shell and the claws. Try out different shades of green or brown for variations – a desert tortoise might have more yellowish tones, while a sea turtle can be olive green or dark gray.
Additional Content
You can download a free PDF file with this lesson to make practice easier. It contains the same steps shown above, arranged in a simple and printable format. You can use it without internet access and print it out as many times as needed. This is useful for both individual practice and group work, especially for beginners and younger kids.
Alternative Drawing Methods
To continue developing the topic and give you more options, I’ve also prepared several additional ways to draw a turtle. These versions include both very simplified styles and more detailed ones, so you can choose what suits your level or interest. The steps are similar, but you’ll see how small changes can affect the final result.
Simple Turtle Drawing Tutorial
Turtle Drawing Guide for Kindergarten
This method of drawing a turtle has been specially tailored for young artists, particularly those in kindergarten. It unfolds in just five easy-to-follow steps, perfect for the little hands and blossoming imaginations of our youngest learners. Starting with simple, broad strokes, the method encourages confidence from the very first line.
By the second step, the child’s turtle begins to gain personality as the shell takes shape and a cute tail emerges. This stage is designed to be as much an exploration of shapes as it is an exercise in motor skills. Each step builds upon the last, reinforcing shape recognition and hand-eye coordination crucial at this developmental stage.
In the final step, the turtle’s transformation is complete with the addition of eyes and a smiling mouth, inviting a sense of accomplishment and joy. This method not only teaches the children how to draw a turtle but also subtly instills in them the foundational skills of art and creativity that will be essential throughout their educational journey.
How to Draw a Turtle from the Side
I continue to showcase alternative methods of drawing, this time focusing on a turtle from a side view. This approach is all about understanding the turtle’s form in its natural habitat, adding a sense of dimension and life to your sketches. It’s perfect for developing a deeper artistic intuition about how turtles move and rest.
As we build our turtle from simple shapes to a more detailed depiction, I emphasize the importance of each curve and line. You’ll learn to add realism to the turtle’s shell and the subtle details that bring its character to life. This side perspective offers a fresh challenge, encouraging you to think about the volume and space that the turtle occupies.
Completing this drawing will not only be a testament to your new skills but also a starting point for more complex art projects. This lesson serves as another step in your ongoing art education, giving you the tools to experiment with perspective and detailing in your future artistic endeavors with confidence.
Realistic Turtle Drawing Lesson
This alternative method of drawing a realistic turtle takes a detailed approach, ideal for those who enjoy the subtleties of realistic sketching. Beginning with a simple outline, we gradually layer shapes and lines, focusing on accuracy and proportion to capture the turtle’s true form.
The subsequent steps involve careful attention to the turtle’s limbs and shell, emphasizing their shape and placement. Drawing from this perspective helps to develop a sense of volume and space, making the turtle appear more three-dimensional even without the addition of texture.
Completing this turtle drawing, you’ll notice the difference that careful observation makes. This alternative method not only teaches you how to draw a realistic turtle but also sharpens your overall drawing skills, providing a solid foundation for tackling more complex subjects with patience and precision.
How to Draw a Cute Turtle
In this alternative drawing tutorial, we’ll explore how to craft a charming turtle with a few simple steps. Starting with basic shapes, this method builds a foundation that evolves into a friendly character full of warmth. It’s designed for easy following, ensuring that even beginners can create a delightful turtle with a personality that shines.
Step by step, we add details that infuse life into our turtle, from the wide, innocent eyes to the curved flippers that suggest a gentle nature. This approach is about capturing more than a likeness; it’s about crafting a connection between the artist and subject, imbuing the drawing with a sense of joy and playfulness.
By the conclusion of this lesson, you will have learned not just to draw a cute turtle but to express character through your art. This method serves as a gentle introduction to the fundamentals of character design, equipping you with skills that extend beyond the page, ready to bring smiles to all who see your work.
Conclusion
Having completed our turtle drawing tutorial, I hope you’re inspired to sketch even more of the world around you. My website offers a wealth of other lessons, whether you’re interested in capturing the fierce stance of an alligator or the functional design of a backpack. Every tutorial is a doorway to new techniques and joys in drawing.
Stay updated with the latest additions to our collection of drawing guides by following my social media profiles. Here, the community thrives on sharing, learning, and growing together. Your suggestions and feedback are invaluable, so please drop a comment under the lessons with any requests or ideas you have for future tutorials.
wow
great qute turtle