How to Draw a Squirrel

Co-authored by Eric McClure

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 Tested

Squirrels are cute little animals! If you want to learn how to draw a cute little squirrel, in a cartoon style or a more realistic style, follow this tutorial.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Cartoon Squirrel

1
Draw the head and the body.
- Draw a circle for the head and a pear-shaped figure just below it.
- Optional: draw a vertical line from both ends of the pear.
- Make sure that you are using a pencil for the draft sketch so you can erase it afterwards to make it neat.
2
Add the ears and the jaw.
- Draw 2 tall pointed arcs for the ears.
- Add a horizontal oval at the bottom of the head. This will be the jaw or the cheek of the squirrel.
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3
Add a big letter “S”.
- This will be your squirrel tail.
4
Add arm(s) and legs.
- Draw a circle at the base of the pear, this will be the squirrel’s hip bone. Since the angle is on the ¾ view, only half of the other hip bone should appear.
- For the arm, add a long tilted U on the body.
5
Add 2 set of long ovals under the each circle.
- This will be your squirrel’s paws.
6
Using a pen, draw on top of your sketch.
- Put in mind the overlapping lines and parts that should be hidden.
- The line art might not look perfect and crisp but it should look neat when the pencil is erased.
7
Erase the pencil sketch and add details.
- You can add details like the ears, eyes, mouth, nose and fur.
- You can also add extra lines to emphasize the paw and the fur.
8
Color your squirrel.
- Squirrel can go in different shades from orange to red or even brown or gray, all depending on the breed.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Realistic Red Squirrel

1
Draw a big circle and a tear shaped figure on the side.
- This will be your squirrel’s head and body.
2
Add arm and leg joints.
- To do this, draw two circles. One should be bigger (the leg joint) than the other one. The circles and the head should form a slanted row of figures.
3
Add ears and legs.
- Add two curved figure for the ears. Depending on the breed, you can also modify the ears a little. Some squirrels have longer and pointier ears.
- for the legs, add some trapezoids at each circle. There should be one trapezoid at the base of the hind leg circle, another connected to the arm/foreleg circle and a small trapezoid for the body.
- The smallest trapezoid is for the leg hiding behind the squirrel’s body.
4
Add tail, paws and face.
- Draw a big flipped “S” from the body. This would be the squirrel’s tail.
- At the end of each trapezoid, add small triangles for the paws.
- For the face, add two small circles: one for the eyes and another for the nose.
5
Using a pen, draw on top of your sketch.
- Put in mind the overlapping lines and parts that should be hidden.
- The line art might not look perfect and crisp but it should look neat when the pencil is erased.
6
Erase the pencil sketch and add details.
- You can add details like the ears, eyes, mouth, nose and fur.
- You can also add extra lines to emphasize the paw and the fur.
7
Color your squirrel.
- Squirrel can go in different shades from orange to red or even brown or gray, all depending on the breed.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Realistic Style

1
Sketch a big oval shape in the middle of the page. This will be the head.
2
Sketch the ears and the eye. On each side of the upper part of the oval shape draw a small egg shape. Inside the oval shape draw a smaller oval.
3
Under the right side of the head draw a horizontal oval shape. This will be the body.
4
Sketch the cute little hands! Draw a big long oval overlapping a smaller oval on the upper part of the body shape.
5
Draw a big circle and two long slim ovals over the body for the legs and feet.
6
On the right side of the body shape draw an arched long oval. This will be the tail.
7
Outline the shape of the cute little squirrel and add details like the eye, long slim fingers, and a lot of frizzled hair all over the body.
8
Carefully erase the sketch lines and make the contour stronger.
9
Add in the color and you're done!

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Cartoon Style

1
Sketch an oval shape in the middle of the page. This will be the head.
2
Draw two pointy ovals at the upper part of the head for the ears.
- Inside the head draw a slim oval. This will be the eye.
- On the lower part of the head draw another pointy oval. This will be the mouth.
3
Draw a vertical oval under the head, for the neck.
4
Under the neck, draw a long oval. This will be the body.
5
Draw a bent long oval, ending with a small circle for the hands and paws. At the end of the small circle draw a bigger one. This will be a cute acorn for the squirrel.
6
Draw a big circle and two long slim ovals over the body for the legs and feet.
7
On the right side of the body draw a question mark like shape. This will be the fluffy tail.
8
Outline the shape of the squirrel and add details like the eye, a cute little nose, smiling mouth with teeth, little fingers and toes.
9
Carefully erase the sketch lines and strengthen the contour with a pencil.
10
Add in the color and you're done!

Community Q&A

Question

Is there a way to draw a squirrel mom with a baby?

Dragonslayer 123

Community Answer

Choose one of the pictures above, and draw a miniature version of the squirrel with the larger version.
Question

When I add water colors, would a Sharpie smear on the paper?

Community Answer

No, not if the Sharpie has dried fully.
Question

Is there a simple way to draw a squirrel that a child can do?

Community Answer

Try any one of these, but just take your time to make every detail instead of making them super fast.