How to Draw a Running Cheetah (Easy Step by Step)
Learn to draw a running cheetah with easy step-by-step instructions. You'll build it from simple parts like a rounded head, long body, specific leg positions, and a curvy tail, finishing with spots.
- You'll start with a rounded head and a long, low body.
- Position the front leg reaching and back legs bent for a running pose.
- Add a curvy tail to complete the cheetah's dynamic shape.
- Finish your drawing by adding the distinctive cheetah spots.
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A running cheetah is fun because it looks like it is zooming right off the page. It is built from a few simple parts: a rounded head, a long low body, a reaching front leg, bent back legs, and a curvy tail. Spots come near the end, and they make it look like a real cheetah.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a running cheetah step by step
How to Draw a Running Cheetah · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: Head and back
Start at the left with the top of the head, adding two small ears and a rounded face. Then draw one long, gently curving line over the neck and back that slopes down toward the right.
Step 3: The front leg
Stretch one long leg forward and down from the chest, like it is reaching out. Draw two lines for the leg and finish with a rounded paw at the end.
Step 4: Belly and back legs
Draw the belly line along the bottom, starting by the front leg and moving right. Then add two bent back legs, each ending in a rounded paw.
Step 5: Spots and tail
Draw small dots all over the body and the front leg, scattered like confetti. Then draw a curved tail line along the back end and fill in the tip of the tail.
Step 6: The eye
Add a round dot for the eye near the front of the head. It makes your cheetah look alive.
Step 7: A puff of dust
Add one tiny dash behind the back paw to show dust kicked up from running fast.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your running cheetah? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a fox or how to draw a hedgehog next.
Tips for drawing a running cheetah
- Keep the body long and low. A stretched shape looks fast, while a tall round shape looks like it is standing still.
- Reach the front leg far forward and keep the back legs bent behind. Wide-apart legs are what make the cheetah look like it is running.
- Draw spots as small dots of different sizes and leave gaps between them. Do not line them up in rows.
Free running cheetah coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this running cheetah coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your running cheetah drawing
Color the body golden yellow with black spots, and make the tail tip black. For a creative twist, give your cheetah rainbow spots or draw a grassy savanna behind it.
Running cheetah fun fact for kids
The cheetah is the fastest land animal. It can sprint up to about 60 miles per hour, but only for short bursts.
Questions about drawing a running cheetah
What shapes do I need to draw a cheetah?
You need a rounded head, a long curved back and belly line, and bent shapes for the legs. Small dots make the spots.
How do I make my cheetah look like it is running?
Stretch the front leg far forward and bend the back legs behind. Keep the body low and long, and add a tiny dash of dust behind a back paw.
How do I make my cheetah look cuter?
Draw the eye large and dark, and keep the paws nice and round.
