How to Draw a Leopard (Easy Step by Step)
A leopard is a fun one to draw because it is made almost entirely of ovals, circles and curves. You start with a big head and a round body, then give your cat ears, paws, a curly tail and a belly full of donut-shaped spots. The little face with its dot eyes and tiny smile makes it look friendly right away.
- Easy
- 12 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 leopard step by step
How to Draw a Leopard · 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 big head
Draw a wide oval near the top of your page. Make it a little wider than it is tall, like an egg lying on its side.
Step 3: The round body
Under the head, draw a rounded shape like an upside-down U that is flat on the bottom. Start each side right under the head and let the sides curve down to the flat bottom.
Step 4: Two round ears
On each top corner of the head, draw a small half circle that bulges outward. The ends of each curve touch the head.
Step 5: Back paws and tail
Draw a curved C shape at the bottom on each side of the body for the paws, starting at the body and curling out and down. Then add a long curved tail on the right that ends in a little curl.
Step 6: The cute face
Draw a big dot on each side of the face for the eyes. In the middle, draw a small upside-down T for the nose with a little curved smile on each side of it. Finish with tiny dots on both cheeks.
Step 7: Spots on the forehead
Draw three small circles with a tiny dot inside each, like little donuts. Put one in the middle at the top of the head and one on each side just below it.
Step 8: Belly spots
Fill the belly with donut spots: three in a row and two below. Then draw one short straight line going up from the bottom in the middle.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your leopard? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a black panther or how to draw a lynx next.
Tips for drawing a leopard
- Draw the head oval first and make it nice and wide. The ears and the whole face fit around it, so it is worth taking your time.
- Draw the spots as circles first, then add the small dot in the middle of each. It is easier to keep them even this way.
- Start each paw where it meets the body and curl it outward so it looks like it is sitting beside the leopard.
Free leopard coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this leopard 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 leopard drawing
Color the leopard golden yellow and make the spots brown or black with a lighter center. For a creative twist, try a snow leopard in soft gray and blue, or a rainbow leopard with a different color for every spot.
Leopard fun fact for kids
A leopard's spots are called rosettes because they look like little roses. Every leopard has its own pattern, a bit like a fingerprint.
Questions about drawing a leopard
What shapes do I need to draw a leopard?
You need one big oval for the head, a rounded shape for the body, and half circles for the ears and paws. Small circles and dots make the spots and the face.
How do I make my leopard look cuter?
Put the eyes wide apart and keep the nose small. Add a few tiny freckle dots on the cheeks and a curly tail.
How do I draw leopard spots?
Draw a small ring and put a tiny dot inside it. Space the rings out over the body so they do not touch.
