How to Draw a Koala (Easy Step by Step)
A koala is a friendly drawing because almost everything on it is round. You will build this one from simple curves and ovals: a rounded head, two round ears, a big nose, a pear-shaped body, and a tall tree trunk for the koala to hold.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a koala step by step
How to Draw a Koala · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The head
Draw a wide rounded shape for the head, starting low on the left side, curving up and over the top, and coming down on the right side. Leave the bottom of the head open for now.
Step 3: Round ears
Draw a round ear on each upper side of the head, so the ears stick out like two little hills. Then draw a smaller curve inside each ear.
Step 4: Nose, eyes and smile
In the middle of the face, draw a tall oval for the nose and color it in. Add a small dot for an eye on each side of the nose, and a tiny curved smile just under the nose.
Step 5: Body and top of arm
Under the head, draw a curved line down the left side of the body and a short curved line down the right side. Then draw one line across the top of the shoulders that keeps going out to the right for the top of the arm.
Step 6: The paw
Under the arm line, draw a second line stretching out to the right. Close the end with a small rounded paw. Add a tiny curved mark just past the paw.
Step 7: Two feet
At the bottom of the body, draw two small ovals side by side for the feet. Join them with a short curved line between them.
Step 8: The tree trunk
Next to the paw, draw two tall straight lines going from near the top of the page to the bottom. Close the top with a gently curved line so it looks like a tree trunk.
Step 9: Tummy line and bark
Draw one curved line on the left side of the koala's tummy. Then add two more short curved marks on the tree trunk to look like bark.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your koala? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a puppy or how to draw a kitten next.
Tips for drawing a koala
- Draw the head wide and round before you add the ears. Place each ear so it overlaps the top corner of the head.
- The arm is the trickiest part. Draw the top line first, then the bottom line, and keep them about the same distance apart so the arm looks even.
- Let the paw touch or slightly overlap the trunk. That makes it look like the koala is holding on to the tree.
Free koala coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this koala 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 koala drawing
Color the koala soft gray with pink inside the ears and a dark gray nose, and make the trunk brown. For a creative twist, color the bark marks a darker brown.
Koala fun fact for kids
Koalas sleep for about 18 to 22 hours a day, because the eucalyptus leaves they eat give them very little energy.
Questions about drawing a koala
What shapes do I need to draw a koala?
You need a rounded shape for the head, round ears, an oval for the nose, small ovals for the feet, and a big rounded pear shape for the body. Two tall lines with a curved top make the tree trunk.
How do I make my koala look cuter?
Keep the eyes as small dots on each side of a big oval nose, and add a tiny smile underneath. Round ears that are a little big also make a koala look extra sweet.
How do I draw a koala holding a tree?
Draw the arm reaching out to the right with a small rounded paw at the end. Then draw the tree trunk right next to the paw so the paw touches it. That makes it look like a hug.
