How to Draw a Snail (Easy Step by Step)
The snail is a happy mix of circles and curves, so it is a great first animal to draw. You will build it from a loaf-shaped body, one big circle for the shell, and a swirl that curls into the middle. The two feelers with their round eyes give it plenty of personality.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a snail step by step
How to Draw a Snail · 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 body
Draw a long, flat-bottomed shape like a loaf of bread. Make the left end tall and round for the head, dip the top line down in the middle, and let the right end slope down into a small tail.
Step 3: The big shell
Draw a big circle sitting in the dip on the snail's back. Let the circle touch the body line on both sides.
Step 4: The shell swirl
Start low in the shell and curl a line around and around, getting smaller each time. Stop when you reach the middle.
Step 5: Two feelers
Draw two long, slightly bendy lines going up from the top of the head. Make the one on the left a little taller than the other.
Step 6: Eye circles
Draw a small circle on top of each feeler, like a lollipop. Make the two circles about the same size.
Step 7: Eye dots
Draw a small round dot in the middle of each eye circle.
Step 8: A happy smile
Draw a short, gentle curve like a little smile on the front of the head. Keep it small and close to the left edge.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your snail? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a bird or how to draw a teddy bear next.
Tips for drawing a snail
- Draw the shell circle lightly first, so you can fit it neatly into the dip on the back before you press harder.
- For the swirl, start low in the shell and spiral inward to the middle. Leave gaps between the rings so they do not touch.
- Draw the feelers as long, thin lines before adding the eye circles, and keep the two circles about the same size.
Free snail coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this snail 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 snail drawing
Try a green body with a shell in warm orange and yellow, and color the swirl in a different shade so it stands out. For a creative twist, give the shell rainbow stripes that follow the spiral.
Snail fun fact for kids
A snail's shell is part of its body, so a snail can never leave it. The shell grows bigger as the snail grows.
Questions about drawing a snail
What shapes do I need to draw a snail?
You need a long rounded loaf shape for the body, a big circle for the shell, and a spiral for the swirl. Two thin lines make the feelers, and two small circles with dots make the eyes.
How do I draw the spiral on the snail shell?
Start low in the shell and curve your line around and around toward the middle, making each ring a bit smaller. Go slowly and leave a little space between the rings.
How do I make my snail look cuter?
Give it a small, gentle smile and round eyes with a dot in the middle of each. Keep the smile small and near the front of the head.
