How to Draw a Deer Step-By-Step

Create your drawing of a deer with simple shapes.

Sighting of a deer in the forest or watching the movie "Bambi" often triggers the desire to draw pictures of deer. If the urge strikes you, work with a photo of a deer as a guide; the picture won't move while you're trying to get things right. Simplify the figure into basic shapes and build on that framework. You can sketch a deer in a short time and share it with family and friends.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Eraser
• Sketch pad
• Ink and pen
• Stock photos or cartoons

Instructions

Drawing your deer

1. Draw a guideline ellipse two inches wide and 3/4 inch high. This is the deer's body. Draw a 3/4 inch long guideline cone for the neck. It should be 1/2 inch wide where it connects at the right side of the body. Angle the neck upwards at 60 degrees.

2. Draw a 1/2 inch ball centered on the tip of the neck cone. This is the head guideline. Draw a 1/2 long oval for the snout extending from the bottom of the head ball where it meets the neck.

3. Darken the tip of the snout to form the nose. Draw two 1/8 inch dots for eyes on the head above the snout. Draw two 3/8 inch ovals for ears extending vertically from the top of the head.

4. Draw two guideilne ovals angling back at the hindquarter for the upper parts of the legs. They should be 1/2 inch long and 1/4 inch thick. Extend the legs to the ground with 3/4 inch long, 1/8 inch thick cylinders. Add the hooves to the bottom of each leg with 1/8 inch ovals that are flat on the bottom.

5. Draw guidelines for the front legs with 3/8 inch long ovals angled back from the body below the base of the neck. Extend the front legs to the ground with 3/4 inch long, 1/8 inch thick cylinders. Add the hooves to the bottom of each leg with 1/8 inch ovals that are flat on the bottom.

6. Draw a smaller 1/2 inch oval for the tail attached to the left end of the body. The tail should angle upward at 45 degrees. Add a wavy line for the tuft of fur along the back of the tail.

7. Draw in the outlines and contours. Erase the guidelines within the form. Add some foliage and forest to frame your deer in the foreground and background. Add a caption if you wish. Sign and date your work. Share with family and friends.

References

• "Fun With A Pencil"; Andrew Loomis; 1939

Resources

• Ms. Lori's Blog: How to Draw a Deer
• Drawing a Cartoon Deer
• Cute Cartoon Animals by Christopher Hart; 2011