In this simple tutorial, I'll show you how to draw a capybara step by step. These cute animals have nice, almost cartoonish proportions, so you don't need any special drawing skills to draw one!
What You'll Learn in This Capybara Drawing Tutorial
- How to draw a capybara step by step
- How to turn a capybara sketch into a finished drawing
- How to create a cute capybara drawing in a simple style
What You'll Need
You can use any medium you wish for this tutorial, but you'll get the best effects if you use two tools: a lighter one for sketching and a darker one for accentuating the final lines. It could be something as simple as a harder (type H) and a softer pencil (type B).
1. How to Create a Capybara Sketch
Step 1
Draw a circle. This will be the front of the torso. This circle doesn't have to be perfect or drawn all in one go—this is just a sketch, so don't worry if it turns out wobbly.
Step 2
Draw a spiral on the right, creating the curve of the back.
Step 3
Add a curve on the bottom, creating an outline of the belly.
Step 4
The torso is done, so let's add the legs now. We'll start with simple sketchy lines to define the length and position of the legs before adding any details. Draw the front leg under the front part of the torso, with a curved tip.
Step 5
Draw a horizontal line under this first leg. Now, if you wanted to draw a simple side view, you'd just have to draw the other leg along this line. But if you want to make the body look 3D, you need to draw the other leg a little bit higher. To add this bit of distance, draw another line at a slight angle.
Step 6
Now draw the other leg touching this "rotated" ground.
Step 7
We need another axis to make the ground look 3D. Draw two parallel lines starting at the legs, at a slightly larger angle than before. Notice that it's still a very small angle—this is necessary if we want to avoid too much foreshortening.
Step 8
Draw the other two legs touching these lines.
Step 9
Add a circle to create a base for the head. Make it much smaller than the torso circle, unless you want to create a chibi.
Step 10
Add a smaller circle to it, to create a muzzle.
2. How to Add Details to the Capybara Drawing
Step 1
Let's make our capybara sketch more detailed now. Add small circles to the legs, right in the places where they are bending. This will give a sense of thickness to the joints.
Step 2
Sketch the paws, drawing them as little simplified hooves.
Step 3
Add the roundness of the shoulder over the front leg.
Step 4
Add rounded claws. Capybaras have four toes in the front legs and three of them in the hind legs, but not all of them should be equally visible in every view.
Step 5
Because the head is higher than the legs (closer to the horizon line), we can rotate the perspective lines and make them horizontal. Draw two lines over the head: one for the eyes and one for the nose.
Step 6
Draw a line across these two lines, creating the curvature of the head. It shouldn't cross the perspective lines in the middle, but rather stay close to the edge of the head.
Step 7
Sketch the tiny round eyes at the top of the head.
Step 8
Add the eye and some eyebrows. Long, narrow eyes are necessary for that characteristic capybara look!
Step 9
Add narrow nose holes and a curved smile at the bottom of the muzzle.
3. How to Finish the Capybara Drawing
Step 1
We have all the details in place, so let's now give the sketch a more finished look. First, outline the whole body, connecting everything together. Keep the lines smooth and gentle.
Step 2
Add a bit of variety in the values by darkening the legs, claws, ears, eyes, and the front of the muzzle. Add a shadow on the ground as well.
Step 3
Take that darker tool now (if you don't have it, press harder or draw multiple times over the same area). Accentuate the final lines and darken the claws and eyes some more.
Step 4
You can leave the drawing as it is because it's technically finished. However, if you want to make it look more polished without adding more details, here are a couple of things you can do.
Go over the chosen areas of the outline once more, making them thicker and darker. Make sure to keep some variety in the lines—some of them should remain thin and light.
Step 5
Darken the dark areas even more, if your tool allows it.
Step 6
Add a few stiff whiskers around the mouth.
Step 7
Add one more level of line thickness in your chosen areas (just a few of them).
Step 8
If you want, you can add a bit of shading to accentuate the roundness of the capybara's body.
Good Job!
Now you know how to create a cute capybara drawing step by step!
Vector Animal Icon and Graphics (Capybara Included!)
If you need a capybara illustration, icon, or graphic for your next project, you can check out these recommendations from Envato Elements:
Zoo Animal Vector Clipart Pack 1 [AI, EPS, PDF, PNG, SVG]
This set contains as many as 23 fantastic illustrations of animals, all drawn in a consistent and simple style. The capybara is one of them, and it looks as cute as ever!
Animals Collection: Line Design Style Icons [EPS, JPG]
Do you need something simpler? This set contains ten vector icons of various species in a unique, three-color style. These colors are of course editable, so you can easily adjust them to your needs.
Wildlife Icons [SVG, PNG]
Does the previous set not have the species you need? In this huge set of 55 animal icons, you're almost guaranteed to find what you're looking for. They're very minimalistic, monochromatic, and can be used for a variety of purposes.
Chef Capybara Cartoon Mascot Illustration [AI, EPS, JPG, PDF, PNG]
Or maybe you need only one illustration—something that stands out on its own? Here's a cute illustration of a capybara chef that can be used as a mascot or logo.
Jungle, Tropical Animals Clipart [AI, EPS, JPG, PNG, SVG]
We've seen illustrations, icons, and logos, so how about a pattern now? This set contains five seamless, animal-related patterns, drawn in a cute, minimalistic style. You can use them on their own or create new compositions out of them.
More Animal Drawing Tutorials
Now you know how to draw a capybara step by step, but don't leave yet! We have many more tutorials teaching how to draw other animals in a variety of styles:
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