How to Draw a Highland Cow (Easy Step by Step)
The Highland cow is fun to draw because it is made of big, friendly shapes. You will use two curved lines for the head, a bell shape for the body, two swoopy horns, and a wavy fringe that makes it look extra fluffy.
- Easy
- 15 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 Highland cow step by step
How to Draw a Highland Cow · 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: Sides of the head
Draw two curved lines side by side for the sides of the head, like the sides of an egg. Leave the top and bottom open, and give each top end a tiny hook.
Step 3: The body
Draw a big rounded bell shape for the fluffy body. Start at the bottom of one side of the head, curve out and down, go flat across the bottom, and come back up to the other side of the head.
Step 4: The long horns
Draw one wide, curvy line across the top of the head. Let both ends sweep out and up into pointed horns like big smiles, with a gentle bump of fur in the middle between them.
Step 5: The ears
Draw a small oval, like a leaf lying on its side, sticking out from each side of the head. Make the two ears match.
Step 6: The fluffy fringe
Across the forehead, draw a wavy line of little scallops from one side of the head to the other, like a row of tiny hills. This is the shaggy hair Highland cows are known for.
Step 7: The muzzle
Near the bottom of the face, draw a wide oval for the nose. Let it overlap the bottom of the head and the top of the body.
Step 8: Eyes, nose and smile
Add two round dots for eyes, high on the face below the fringe. Then add two tiny dots for nostrils inside the muzzle and a little curved smile below them.
Step 9: Little hooves
At the bottom of the body, draw two small rounded rectangles with open tops for the feet. Let them poke out below the body line.
Step 10: Fur marks
On each side of the body, draw two short curved lines to show shaggy fur. Make both sides match.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your Highland cow? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a fox or how to draw a hedgehog next.
Tips for drawing a Highland cow
- Draw the horns after the head so you can see where they should start. Aim for both horns to curve up to the same height.
- The wavy fringe is the trickiest part. Think of it as a row of small bumps, like tiny hills, and go slowly.
- Place the eyes high on the face and the muzzle low. The big gap between them is what makes the cow look cute.
Free Highland cow coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this Highland cow 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 Highland cow drawing
Try reddish brown or ginger for the fluffy hair and a pale cream for the horns and muzzle. For a creative twist, color the cow in rainbow stripes or give it a flower crown.
Highland cow fun fact for kids
Highland cows come from Scotland, and they have two coats of hair: a soft, woolly layer underneath and a long, shaggy layer on top. Together these keep them warm in cold, wet weather.
Questions about drawing a Highland cow
What shapes do I need to draw a Highland cow?
You need two curved lines for the sides of the head, a big bell shape for the body, and two long curved horns. Small ovals make the ears and muzzle, and dots make the eyes and nostrils.
How do I make my Highland cow look cuter?
Make the eyes small and set far apart, and add a gentle smile on the muzzle. A longer, wavier fringe across the forehead also adds charm.
How do I draw the horns so they match?
Look at how high and wide one horn goes as you draw. Then curve the other end of the line up to the same height and the same pointed tip.
