How to Draw a Capybara (Easy Step by Step)
The capybara is a cute, calm animal, and this one is built from just a few easy shapes. You will use a rounded box for the head, a big bean for the body, and a few circles and curves for the rest. The little fruit balanced on its head makes it extra silly.
- 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 capybara step by step
How to Draw a Capybara · 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 big rounded box shape for the head, like a loaf of bread with soft corners. Make the top a little flatter and let the front slope down to a blunt snout.
Step 3: The round body
Start at the back of the head and draw a big hill curving up and over, then down to the ground. Run a flat line along the bottom, then curve up to meet the bottom of the head, so the body looks like a big round bean.
Step 4: The back leg
Inside the back of the body, draw an upside-down U for the chubby back leg. Let the right side of the U touch the ground line.
Step 5: Front leg and foot
Near the front of the body, draw a short curved line going down to the ground for the front leg. Next to it, add a small curved bump on the ground for the front foot.
Step 6: Ears and fruit
Add two tiny curved ears on top of the head, one at the back corner and one a little farther along. Then draw a small circle sitting on the head and give it a pointed leaf on top.
Step 7: The eyes
Draw two round dots for eyes, side by side in the middle of the head.
Step 8: Nose and smile
Draw a small filled-in oval nose at the very front tip of the snout. Under it, draw a little curved line for a happy smile.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your capybara? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw an axolotl or how to draw a red panda next.
Tips for drawing a capybara
- Make the body much bigger than the head. Sketch a big light oval first, so the capybara looks round and chubby.
- The head is the trickiest part. Think of a loaf of bread with a blunt front, and keep the top line fairly flat.
- Draw the back leg as an upside-down U and the front leg as a short curved line. Let the legs touch the ground line so your capybara sits steady.
Free capybara coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this capybara 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 capybara drawing
Color the capybara in warm browns, with a lighter tan on the face, and make the fruit orange with a green leaf. For a creative twist, give it a bubbly blue pond to sit in.
Capybara fun fact for kids
Capybaras are the largest rodents alive today, and they are excellent swimmers. Their feet are slightly webbed, which helps them paddle through the water.
Questions about drawing a capybara
What shapes do I need to draw a capybara?
You need a rounded box for the head, a big bean shape for the body, and a few curved lines for the legs and ears. Two dots make the eyes and a small filled oval makes the nose.
How do I make my capybara look cuter?
Keep the eyes small and a little wide apart, and give it a gentle smile. A round, chubby body helps too.
Why is there a fruit on its head?
Capybaras are known for staying calm while other animals, and sometimes even fruit, rest on them. It is a fun detail you can swap for a bird or a flower.
