How to Draw a Turtle (Easy Step by Step)
A turtle is a friendly drawing to try because it is mostly a dome, a circle and a few straight lines. The shell pattern looks fancy, but it is only a six-sided shape with lines going out from it. Once you can draw this one, you can change the face or the shell and make a whole turtle family.
- Easy
- 10 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 turtle step by step
How to Draw a Turtle · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The shell dome
Start with a big dome, like half of an egg standing on its flat side. Draw a tall curved line up and over, leaving the bottom open.
Step 3: The head
On the right side of the shell, draw a round head shaped like a small ball. Tuck its back edge against the shell so it looks like it is peeking out.
Step 4: The shell rim
Close the bottom of the shell with two long straight lines, one on top of the other, to make a thick belt. Curve the right end around a little, like a rounded corner.
Step 5: Four little legs
Under the belt, draw four short upside-down U shapes in a row. Make them about the same size, like little tunnels.
Step 6: The tail
On the left end of the shell, draw a small pointed leaf shape sticking out. Start and finish it at the belt.
Step 7: Eye and smile
Add a small dot for the eye on the front half of the head. Then draw a little curved smile below it, near the front edge.
Step 8: The middle hexagon
In the middle of the shell, draw a flat six-sided shape, like a stretched stop sign. Then connect its top corners to the shell edge with two slanted lines.
Step 9: Lower shell lines
From the bottom corners of the hexagon, draw two straight lines slanting outward down to the belt. They make a shape like a little tent.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your turtle? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw an elephant or how to draw a giraffe next.
Tips for drawing a turtle
- Draw the dome first and make it taller than you think. A tall shell looks more like a real turtle and leaves room for the pattern.
- The six-sided shape in the middle is the trickiest part. Draw the flat top and bottom lines first, then join the corners with the pointy sides.
- Space the four legs evenly under the belt and keep them about the same height, so your turtle stands up straight.
Free turtle coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this turtle 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 turtle drawing
Try green for the shell and a lighter green for the head, legs and tail. For a creative twist, give each shell section a different color, like a stained glass window.
Turtle fun fact for kids
A turtle's shell is part of its skeleton. It is joined to the turtle's backbone and ribs, so a turtle can never climb out of it.
Questions about drawing a turtle
What shapes do I need to draw a turtle?
You need a dome for the shell, a round shape for the head, two long lines for the belt, and four small U shapes for the legs. The pattern on the shell is a six-sided shape with a few straight lines.
How do I make my turtle look cuter?
Put the eye on the front half of the head and draw a small curved smile below it. A big round head and short legs also make a turtle look sweet.
How do I draw the shell pattern?
Draw a flat six-sided shape in the middle first. Then add slanted lines from its top corners up to the edge and from its bottom corners down to the belt.
