How to Draw a Bear (Easy Step by Step)
This teddy bear is built from ovals and circles, so it is a great first animal to draw. The big head, round belly and chubby feet all start as simple egg shapes. Once the shapes are in place, a few dots and curves give your bear a friendly face.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 10 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a bear step by step
How to Draw a Bear · 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: The head
Draw a big wide oval near the top of the page for the bear's head. Leave a little room above it for the ears.
Step 3: The round ears
Add a half circle on each upper corner of the head, tucked behind it. Then draw a smaller half circle inside each one.
Step 4: The bottom of the body
Far below the head, draw a short flat-bottomed shape like a little cup, with two slanted lines going up and out from it. Add three small dots on each side for toes, and a short line beyond each set of dots.
Step 5: The arms
Draw a tall, tilted oval on each side of the body area, leaning a little outward at the bottom. Leave a gap between the arms and the head.
Step 6: The big feet
At the bottom, draw a wide oval for each foot, with the feet sticking out toward the sides. Each foot should sit over the toe dots and touch the bottom of the body.
Step 7: The belly patch
In the middle of the body, between the arms, draw a tall oval with a round top for the belly. Let its bottom sit just above the feet.
Step 8: Eyes and muzzle
Draw two small dots for eyes, halfway down the head and far apart. Between them, a bit lower, draw a medium oval for the muzzle.
Step 9: Nose, smile and chest
Inside the muzzle, draw a short line down for the nose, then a small curvy smile under it. Then draw a curved line from each side of the chin down to the top of each arm to close the body.
Step 10: Paw pads
On each foot, draw a small oval pad in the lower middle.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your bear? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a frog on a lily pad or how to draw a strawberry cow next.
Tips for drawing a bear
- Draw the head oval wider than it is tall. The bear looks cuter with a wide, round face.
- Sketch the two arm ovals leaning outward at the bottom. If they tilt a little, the bear looks relaxed instead of stiff.
- Make the two eye dots the same size and keep them far apart. Draw the muzzle oval before the nose and smile so you know where they fit.
Free bear coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this bear 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 bear drawing
Try warm browns for the body, with a lighter tan for the muzzle, belly and paw pads. For a twist, give your bear a bright scarf or patchwork squares like a real stuffed toy.
Bear fun fact for kids
Teddy bears are named after US President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, who refused to shoot a bear on a hunting trip in 1902. A toy maker heard the story and started selling stuffed bears called "Teddy's bear."
Questions about drawing a bear
What shapes do I need to draw a bear?
You only need ovals and circles. Use a big oval for the head and smaller ones for the arms, feet, belly and muzzle.
How do I make my bear look cuter?
Keep the eyes far apart and the ears small and round. A small smile and a big round belly help too.
How do I draw a teddy bear sitting down?
Draw the feet as wide ovals at the bottom, pointing out to each side. Put the round belly between them so the bear looks like it is sitting.
