How to Draw a Tortoise

In today’s step by step lesson, we are going to learn how to draw a tortoise on paper. The location and proportion of each part will be pointed out in each step of the lesson. Note that the blue outlines are used to indicate the new parts being created in each step.

Time Needed: 30 minutes

1. Outline The Carapace

   

   Outline the bumpy shape of the tortoise’s carapace.

2. Draw The Head

   

   Draw the elongated shape of its head attached to the bottom of its carapace as shown.

3. Form The Face

   

   Draw a circle for its eye and a small dot for its nostril.

4. Outline The Plastron

   

   Outline the tortoise’s bottom shell called the plastron by drawing a long curved line.

5. Add The Legs

   

   Add the shape of its legs connected to the bottom part of its shell. Don’t forget to erase parts of its body that overlap with its legs.

6. Draw The Claws

   

   Draw curved shapes on its feet to form its claws.

7. Outline The Scutes

   

   Outline the hard plates on the surface of its carapace called scutes similar to the illustration.

8. Add Texture To The Scutes

   

   Add texture to the scutes by drawing a spiral on each plate.

9. Complete The Tortoise Drawing

   

   Let’s add some color to our tortoise drawing by first filling the eye with a black crayon. Next, shade the carapace with a dark brown crayon. Color the center of each scute with a lighter shade of brown. Now, fill the plastron with a light brown color. Then, color the claws with a gray crayon. Finally, shade the tortoise’s head and legs with a light green crayon.