How to Draw a Cobra

While most people have never seen a true cobra in real life, many have seen drawings of a cobra. The cobra is a menacing creature that can symbolize evil and power in cartoons, movies and books. Although the cobra is intimidating in person and in movies, it is not intimidating to draw. In fact, a cobra is quite simple to draw. Here we will take you through all the steps you need to become a master at drawing the cobra.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sketch paper
• Pencil
• Eraser

1. Draw a horizontal oval on the top of the page. Coming from the bottom back quarter of the oval, draw a large backwards "S" shape. This will be the general shape of the head and body. Make sure to draw lightly because you will be erasing some.

2. Draw another backwards "S" shape that follows the contour of the first "S." This will start on the end of the right-hand side of the oval and stay about an inch away from the first line. An inch on the other side of the original "S," draw another line halfway down.

3. Use the oval head as your general guide, but make the head take more shape. The cobra's mouth will be open, so draw a triangle on the left side of the oval with one of its corners inside. Then erase the part of the circle on the triangle. You can now slightly elongate both the upper and lower part of the snake's head to more resemble a cobra.

4. Draw a continuous line on the top line of the triangle to the other side of the cobra's head. This will separate the jaw from the head. Then draw and one small tooth on the top portion of the head, and another, larger tooth a half inch away from the first tooth.

5. Angle a half inch line between the half "S" and the original "S." The sharp angle should go towards the original "S." After the angle, continue with the contour of the original "S" and connect the half "S" to the line where it naturally would meet.

6. Start another "S" where you began the angle. This time, however, make a deep curve until your line is between the original "S" and the "S" furthest to the right side. Continue with the curvature of the original "S" when it gets to this spot.

7. Use the line you just drew and the line that began with an angle and begin drawing horizontal lines connecting the two. These lines should be fairly close together, about a half inch. They should continue the entire length of the cobra.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw your horizontal stripe lines with a slight curve upwards to give the snake a more realistic, rounded shape.
• Don't show your cobra drawing to very small children. It can be scary.