How to Draw a Deer (Easy Step by Step)
This little deer is a fun drawing because it is built from simple shapes: a rounded head, leaf-shaped ears, a big body, and skinny legs. The tiny round spots on its side make it look like a friendly fawn.
- Medium
- 15 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 deer step by step
How to Draw a Deer · 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 eye
Draw a small rounded head shape with a little bump for the nose on the left. Add a round dot for the eye in the middle.
Step 3: Two big ears
Draw two pointy leaf shapes sticking up from the top of the head. Let one lean back and one lean out to the right, so they look like long teardrops.
Step 4: Neck, body and two legs
Start at the back of the head and draw the neck sloping down, then draw the long back across to a round rump. Curve around to the belly, and draw the front leg and back leg on the near side, each ending in a little foot.
Step 5: The little tail
At the back end of the body, draw a small pointy leaf shape that sticks up and out for the tail.
Step 6: Two more legs
Draw two more skinny legs between the first two legs, hanging down from the belly. They are the legs on the far side, so tuck them in close.
Step 7: Hooves
At the bottom of each leg, draw a short flat line across for the top of the hoof. Add one little line straight down the middle to split each hoof in two.
Step 8: Spots
Finish with five small round rings on the deer's side, close together. Draw each one as a tiny circle with an empty middle.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your deer? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a moose or how to draw a beaver next.
Tips for drawing a deer
- Take your time with the body. Let the back, rump and belly lines flow in one smooth curve so the body looks soft and round.
- The legs are the trickiest part. Keep them skinny and fairly straight, and start them all from the belly line so they hang down evenly.
- For the spots, keep each ring small and leave the middle empty. Spread them out a little so they do not touch each other.
Free deer coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this deer 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 deer drawing
Try warm browns and tan for the body, with creamy white for the spots and hooves. For a creative twist, make a magical deer with rainbow spots or a coat that changes color with the seasons.
Deer fun fact for kids
Baby deer are called fawns, and many fawns are born with white spots on their fur that help them hide in the forest.
Questions about drawing a deer
What shapes do I need to draw a deer?
You need a rounded shape for the head, two leaf shapes for the ears, a big soft shape for the body, and long thin lines for the legs. Small circles make the eye and the spots.
How do I make my deer look cuter?
Make the head fairly big and the legs thin. Big ears and a round eye also help make the deer look like a baby fawn.
How do I draw a deer's legs so they look right?
Start each leg at the belly and draw two almost-straight lines down. Draw the two outer legs first, then tuck the other two in between them. Finish each leg with a small hoof split in two.
