How to Draw a Tortoise (Easy Step by Step)
A tortoise is a fun drawing because the shell is made of simple shapes: a big dome, a six-sided hexagon in the middle, and lines that fan out like a wheel. The head is a circle, and the four legs are rounded U shapes like little boots. Once you can draw these shapes, you can draw a whole tortoise.
- Easy
- 15 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a tortoise step by step
How to Draw a Tortoise · 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: Shell dome and first leg
Draw a big rounded dome like a half circle, starting low on the left and curving up and over to the right. At the right end, keep going down and make a U shape, like a little boot, for the first leg.
Step 3: The round head
On the right side, draw a circle for the head, sitting up high. Leave a small gap at the bottom left of the circle, then draw a curved neck line from the right side of the head down to the shell.
Step 4: Face and neck wrinkles
Add a small dot for the eye and a short curved line for the smile on the head. Then draw two or three short curved lines across the neck for wrinkles.
Step 5: Three more legs
Draw three more U shapes in a row under the shell, like little boots, so there are four legs. Add small dots on the toes and a bumpy line along the bottom edge of the shell between the legs.
Step 6: The tail
At the left end, draw a tiny pointed curl that sticks out from the bottom of the shell for the tail.
Step 7: Shell pattern oval
Inside the dome, draw a big rounded shape in the middle, like a shield, with a wide curve across the bottom.
Step 8: Hexagon and spokes
In the middle of the shell, draw a hexagon, which is a shape with six sides. Then draw lines from its corners out to the edge of the shield, like spokes on a wheel, and add toe dots on the legs.
Step 9: Shell side lines
Draw a long, slightly slanted line across each side of the shell, from the shield out to the edge of the shell. Add toe dots to the last legs if they are missing.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your tortoise? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a toad or how to draw a robin next.
Tips for drawing a tortoise
- Draw the hexagon in the middle of the shell lightly first. Then add the lines going out from its corners, and they will line up neatly.
- Make the four legs about the same height. Draw one U shape, then copy its size for the others.
- Keep the head circle round and a little bit higher than the shell, so the neck has a nice curve.
Free tortoise coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this tortoise 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 tortoise drawing
Try green and brown for the shell sections, with a lighter green for the head and legs. For a creative twist, color each shell section a different rainbow color.
Tortoise fun fact for kids
A tortoise's shell is part of its skeleton. It is joined to the ribs and backbone, so a tortoise cannot take its shell off.
Questions about drawing a tortoise
What shapes do I need to draw a tortoise?
You need a big dome for the shell, a circle for the head, a hexagon for the shell pattern, and four U shapes for the legs.
How do I make my tortoise look cuter?
Draw a round head, a small dot eye, and a little smile. Short, stubby legs also make the tortoise look friendly.
What is the difference between a tortoise and a turtle?
Tortoises live on land and have tall, domed shells and stubby legs. Turtles usually live in or near water and have flatter shells.
