How to Draw a Dinosaur Skeleton (Easy Step by Step)
This little dinosaur skeleton is friendly rather than scary, with a big round head, a long neck, and a tail that sweeps out behind. It is built from a few simple shapes: a rounded bump for the head, long curved lines for the neck, back and tail, and two chunky legs. Three short rib lines on the body are what make it a skeleton.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a dinosaur skeleton step by step
How to Draw a Dinosaur Skeleton · 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: Head outline
Start at the bottom of the head and draw a big rounded bump going up and over. Let the line curve down the back of the head and stop in a short tail of a line, so the head is open at the chin.
Step 3: Back and tail
Start where the back of the neck ended and draw a long, gentle slope down and to the right. Finish with a pointy tail tip that curls up a little at the end.
Step 4: Chest and front leg
Start at the chin and draw a long line going down for the chest and front of the leg. Finish with a flat, rounded foot, then come back up the other side of the leg and add a short line going right for the belly.
Step 5: Back leg
Start at the belly and draw a wiggly line down for the back leg, then make a rounded foot. Come back up the other side with a straight line that meets the tail.
Step 6: The eye
Draw a small solid dot near the top of the head, a little back from the face.
Step 7: The nostril
Near the front of the snout, add a tiny slanted dash for the nostril.
Step 8: Rib lines
On the body, below the back, draw three short slanted lines in a row, all leaning the same way like ribs.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your dinosaur skeleton? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a T. rex or how to draw a triceratops next.
Tips for drawing a dinosaur skeleton
- Look at the light head circle at the start, and draw the head bump around it so the round shape comes out smooth.
- Make the neck and back lines gently curved, not straight, so the dinosaur looks soft and friendly.
- Keep the three rib lines about the same length and slant, with even gaps, so they look like a row of bones.
Free dinosaur skeleton coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this dinosaur skeleton 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 dinosaur skeleton drawing
Try cream or pale gray for the bones, or go bold with a green dinosaur and white ribs. For a twist, color the background like a museum wall and add a little sign with its name.
Dinosaur skeleton fun fact for kids
The word dinosaur was invented in 1842 by the scientist Richard Owen. It comes from Greek words that mean terrible lizard.
Questions about drawing a dinosaur skeleton
What shapes do I need to draw a dinosaur skeleton?
You need a rounded bump for the head, long curved lines for the neck, back and tail, and two sturdy legs with flat, rounded feet. Three short lines on the body make the ribs.
How do I make my dinosaur look friendlier?
Use a big round head and a solid dot for the eye, and keep the lines soft and curvy. A tiny nostril near the front of the face also helps it look sweet.
Where do the rib lines go?
Put them on the middle of the body, below the back, in a short row that slants the same way. Leave space between them so each one stands out.
