Hello everyone! After publishing huge guides for cats, lions and wolves, I received several messages and comments asking me to create a similar tutorial on how to draw dogs. Today, I’m excited to present a new tutorial focused on drawing dogs, featuring 12 different guides ranging from simple sketches perfect for creative activities with kids to more detailed and realistic depictions. This tutorial doesn’t focus on specific breeds but aims to capture the essence of a dog as a whole. If you recognize a specific breed in these drawings, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

We’ll start with simpler drawings and gradually increase the complexity. The first five guides will feature simple and fun drawings: starting with a very basic dog in the first guide, then moving on to cartoon-style dogs. By the fifth guide, we’ll draw a minimalist yet more realistic full-body dog standing in profile.

From the sixth to the twelfth guide, we’ll focus on capturing the more realistic dogs. We’ll start by drawing the dog’s face and head from various angles, and then proceed to full-body drawings. Here’s a list of the guides to help you with navigation:

• Easy Dog
• Second Simple Dog
• Cute Smiling Cartoon Dog
• Detailed Cartoon Dog
• Minimalist Dog
• Realistic Dog Face (Front)
• Dog Head (Side)
• Dog Head (3/4 View)
• Sitting Dog (Front View)
• Sitting Dog (Side View)
• Sitting Dog (3/4 View)
• Standing Dog (Side View)

How the Drawing Guides Are Structured

These dog drawing guides use a color-coded system to make the process easier to follow:

• Red Color: Highlights the current step you’re working on for clear focus.
• Black Color: Shows the completed lines from earlier steps to track your progress.
• Grey Color: Indicates the base sketch, helping to establish proportions and placement.

1 – Simple Dog Drawing in Six Easy Steps

In this first guide, we’ll start with a super easy and simple dog drawing. With just six steps, you’ll create an adorable dog without any complex sketches or guidelines. Let’s dive right into drawing our first dog!

Step 1: Draw a circle for the dog’s head.

Step 2: Draw the dog’s floppy ears, starting from the sides of the top of the circle and extending down to partially cover the sides of the head, slightly below the middle. Fill in the ears with black color.

Step 3: Draw a small black circle just below the center of the head circle for the nose. On either side of the nose, at about the midpoint of the head circle, draw two much larger black circles with a white highlight on the left side for the eyes.

Step 4: Just below the circle for the nose, draw a rounded ‘W’ shape for the dog’s cheeks and muzzle. Below this, in the center, draw a ‘U’ shape for the dog’s tongue. Under the head, draw a single continuous line that forms the dog’s body, two front legs, and one hind leg closest to us.

Step 5: Draw a simple, black-filled tail on the right side. Close to the hind leg from the previous step, draw a similar black shape to represent the second hind leg, which will be shaded this way for style 🙂

Step 6: This is the finished drawing of our simple dog. Review your drawing, erase any extra lines, or adjust and add missing details as needed.

2 – Detailed Easy Dog Drawing in 11 Steps

Great! Let’s move on to Guide #2, where we’ll draw another simple dog but with more detail and a lively appearance.

Step 1: Draw a simple circle using light lines. This will be a guiding circle to help us draw the dog.

Step 2: Draw droplet-shaped ears on either side of the circle, partially covering the circle as they hang down.

Step 3: Go back to the circle from Step 1 and outline it with a more confident, bold line to connect the space between the ears and define the lower part of the head. This completes the outline of the dog’s head.

Step 4: Draw a black circle slightly below the center of the dog’s head for the nose. Then, draw two smaller circles, about half the size of the nose, on either side and slightly above the nose for the eyes.

Step 5: Draw two hook-like lines facing opposite directions to form the dog’s cheeks or muzzle.

Step 6: Draw a simple shape just below the head circle and slightly to the right to form the dog’s collar.

Step 7: Draw part of the body starting from the left edge of the collar, using a simple slightly curved line downward to the right. Then, draw the first front leg using a simple ‘U’ shape.

Step 8: Draw the dog’s back and hind part of the body, along with the hind leg closest to us, using the same ‘U’ shape as the front leg.

Step 9: Draw the lower part of the dog’s body by connecting the two legs from the previous steps with a slightly curved line in the middle. From the back of the body, add a simple shape with a pointed end to form the tail. Make this a single, continuous line.

Step 10: Draw the two remaining legs. Start with the front leg, which begins near the start of the line we previously drew from the collar, and follows the same “U” shape. Then, add the back leg, using the same shape but making it noticeably smaller, as only part of it is visible from this perspective.

Step 11: At this stage, we’ve successfully learned how to draw a simple yet detailed and adorable dog. If there are any unfinished details, take a moment to complete them. Carefully erase the visible parts of the circle from Step 1 that overlap with the ears, removing any unnecessary lines for a cleaner look.

3 – How to Draw a Cute and Smiling Cartoon Dog in 10 Simple Steps

Ready to level up your the difficulty? In this guide, we’ll draw an adorable cartoon dog with a big, playful smile. This drawing is a bit more detailed than the first two guides, but it’s still simple enough for beginners. With just ten steps, you’ll learn how to capture a cheerful expression and fun cartoon proportions. Let’s get started and bring this cute pup to life!

Step 1: We’ll start by creating the outline of the dog’s head, beginning from the top of its snout. Draw a single, continuous line starting on the right side, curving downward to the left, then upward, and finally back to the right. This will form a smooth, complete outline for the dog’s head.

Step 2: Draw a large oval for the nose. Then, add two smaller ovals for the eyes, each about half the size of the nose, but make the eye on the right side slightly smaller than the one on the left for a playful, cartoonish effect.

Step 3: Draw two black-filled ovals for the pupils inside the eyes. Add two curved eyebrows above the eyes, angled in different directions for a cartoonish style. Then, draw a large arc starting from the bottom center of the nose oval to the left, creating the dog’s smile.

Step 4: Draw the outline of the ears on both sides of the top of the head. Let them hang down playfully in a cartoonish style. The ear on the right side of the head should be smaller than the one on the left. In the middle of the top of the head, draw two small shapes to represent a tuft of fur sticking up.

Step 5: Draw a single, continuous line starting slightly to the left of the bottom edge of the head shape. Bring the line down slightly, curve it to the left, and then smoothly arc it downward to form the dog’s back and rear leg. Continue the line to the right, rounding it off to create the shape of the paw.

Step 6: Draw the front leg and paw, repeating the same shape as the rear leg from the previous step, but without including the line that formed the back.

Step 7: Add a vertical line to the front leg to finish its shape. Then, draw a curved line starting near the paw and extending upward toward the center of the bottom of the dog’s head to form the body.

Step 8: Draw the paw of the second front leg, which is visible from our perspective.

Step 9: Draw a spiral-like shape with a single continuous line to form the tail. Add a vertical line to define the shape of the second front leg. Use slightly curved lines to divide the paw pads into sections on all the dog’s paws. Finally, add a small, subtle lower body section and a line to separate the rear leg.

Step 10: At this step, we’ve completed our cheerful, adorable cartoon dog drawing. I think this one is perfect for creative activities with kids as it is pretty cute and easy to create. Take a moment to review your drawing, refine any areas, adjust the details, and add or remove elements as needed to achieve a polished, finished look.

4 – Happy Cartoon Dog Drawing in Full Body with Big Eyes

In this guide, we’ll take things a step further by drawing a happy, full-body cartoon dog with big, expressive eyes. This version is slightly more detailed than the previous one, capturing a bit more realism while still maintaining its playful and cheerful cartoon vibe. Whether you want a more artistic and exaggerated look or a detailed yet whimsical drawing, this guide and the previous one are both perfect for creating your ideal cartoon dog! Let’s start—this one will be completed in fourteen steps.

Step 1: We’ll skip the basic sketch and start drawing directly. Begin by drawing the top part of the dog’s head as a smooth arc connecting the space between the ears. In the middle of this arc, add two small shapes to represent tufts of fur sticking up on the top of the dog’s head.

Step 2: Draw the dog’s ears, which hang down in a relaxed and playful manner. They start on the sides of the line drawn in Step 1, curve slightly outward, and hang down to about the middle of the dog’s head, stopping just short of reaching it.

Step 3: Draw a curved line, like a semicircle, starting from the lower part of the ears. This line will connect them and form the middle and lower outline of the cartoon dog’s head.

Step 4: In the center of the dog’s head, draw a horizontal oval to create the nose. Then, draw slightly elongated circles, or ovals, for the eyes. These should be slightly larger than the nose and positioned slightly above the center of the head. The spacing between the eye ovals should be approximately equal to the size of one eye oval.

Step 5: Fill the nose oval with black, leaving a small horizontal oval at the top for a highlight. For the eyes, leave a larger white circle near the top and a smaller one slightly lower and to the right, creating playful cartoon reflections.

Step 6: Draw incomplete circles around the eyes to outline and shape them. Beneath the nose, sketch a wide, smooth, rounded “W” shape to form the cheeks / the lower part of the dog’s snout.

Step 7: Next, draw eyebrows above the dog’s eyes to emphasize its cartoonish look. Below the wide “W” shape from the previous step, sketch a wide “U” shape to form the mouth. Fill this shape with black, leaving the tongue area uncolored to add depth. Additionally, draw small lines at the ends of the “W” shape to outline the corners of the mouth.

Step 8: Draw a single, smooth, curved line starting slightly to the right of the lower part of the dog’s head. Extend the line downward, curving gently to the right, and then sloping further down to form the back, rear, and the beginning of the hind leg. Slightly to the left, add another curved line to shape the upper part of the dog’s hind leg.

Step 9: Extend the line from the previous step further down and slightly to the right. Then, curve it smoothly downward, turn it to the left, and add a small rounded part at the end to form the back of the hind leg and the outline of the paw.

Step 10: Slightly to the left of the bottom of the dog’s head, draw a smooth, curved line that flows downward and bends to the right, shaping the front of the neck and body. From the end of this line, draw a simple front leg that is closer to us.

Step 11: Draw a smooth line connecting the space between the front and hind legs already drawn. Then, from the paw of the hind leg, add a vertical line to complete the outline of the hind leg.

Step 12: At this stage, draw the two missing legs: one front and one hind leg. They closely mirror the shape of the legs already drawn, with slight adjustments, as they are partially hidden behind the dog’s body.

Step 13: At this stage, draw the tail for your cartoon dog, curving it upward to match its cheerful demeanor. Additionally, add small, slightly curved lines on the dog’s paw pads to divide them into sections for more detail.

Step 14: At this stage, we’ve finished our cartoon dog drawing, radiating happiness with its glowing eyes, open mouth, and a tail seemingly ready to wag. Now, take a moment to review your work for any missing details or corrections that might be needed. If you wish, you can outline your sketch with a pen. Once the ink is dry, erase any remaining pencil lines to give your drawing a polished look.

5 – Draw a Minimalist Dog: Simple and Elegant

The fifth guide in our series introduces a minimalist approach to drawing dogs. Unlike the playful cartoon styles of the previous guides or the simpler sketches from earlier, this dog leans toward a more realistic look while maintaining a minimalist style. Using clean lines and minimal details, this guide will help you create an easy dog drawing that is simple, elegant, and true to form—all in just nine steps. Let’s begin!

Step 1: In the upper left area of your drawing space, draw a smooth, rounded shape and fill it with black to create the dog’s nose.

Step 2: Draw the upper part of the dog’s snout, starting from the upper left corner of the nose drawn in the previous step. Then, add the lower part of the snout, or the dog’s cheeks, using smooth, curved lines beneath the nose, as shown in the step’s reference.

Step 3: Draw the outline of the top of the dog’s head and the ear closest to us. Use a single, continuous line starting from the upper part of the dog’s snout to shape both the head and the visible ear.

Step 4: In this step, draw a small connecting line beneath the lower part of the dog’s snout to form its chin or lower jaw. Then, to the left of the head, add a curved line to indicate the visible part of the second ear. Finally, place two black ovals above the level of the snout to create the dog’s eyes.

Step 5: Draw the neck and the front part of the dog’s torso with a single, continuous line, starting from the lower part of the snout and curving smoothly downward to the right. From there, draw the first front leg, the one closest to us, and add small separators on the paw to define its sections.

Step 6: Draw a line to outline the back of the neck, the dog’s back, and the rear part of its body. In the same step, complete the rear leg on the side closest to us, ensuring the outline is smooth and continuous.

Step 7: Draw the lower part of the dog’s body, connecting the front and rear legs with a smooth, curved line. In this step, also add the tail, which hangs naturally behind the rear leg.

Step 8: Draw the two missing legs, one front and one rear, mirroring the shapes of the legs already drawn. These should follow the same structure and proportions.

Step 9: At this stage, your minimalist dog drawing is complete. Take a moment to check for any unnecessary marks or smudges from the pencil and carefully clean them up. If there are any missing details from the previous steps, add them now. As with the other drawings, you can outline it with a pen and, once the ink is dry, erase all the pencil lines to finalize your work.

6 – How to Draw a Dog Face: Easy Front View Drawing for Beginners

In this guide, consisting of twelve steps, we’ll explore how to draw a realistic dog’s face from a front view. While the breed is undefined, this dog represents the classic image that comes to mind when thinking of drawing a dog, rather than any specific breed. Through detailed yet easy-to-follow steps, we’ll break down the process to make it approachable for anyone, even beginners. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Start by drawing a circle as the base and foundation of your drawing. Inside the circle, sketch a vertical and horizontal line to divide it into four equal parts, marking the center. Extend the vertical line downward by about a quarter of the circle’s height. Then, add lines on the sides and bottom to shape the side and lower parts of the dog’s head.

Step 2: Draw a horizontal oval in the lower part of the base circle to indicate the position and shape of the nose. From the edges of the nose oval, extend two lines upward to meet the horizontal guideline from the previous step. At the ends of these lines, draw two circles to mark the position of the eyes. Starting from the midpoint of the extended vertical line below the circle, draw two lines angling toward the corners of the lower part of the dog’s head shape. Finally, sketch the outer shape of the ears with simple lines, beginning from the upper part of the base circle.

Step 3: Outline the shape of the nose as shown in the reference for this step. Then, draw the dog’s cheeks, starting from the middle of the lower part of the nose shape. These cheeks form a “W”-like shape but with soft, rounded edges.

Step 4: In this step, draw the sides of the dog’s head, connecting them to the outer edges of the cheeks. Use multiple slightly curved lines to mimic the texture of the dog’s fur, creating a more natural appearance rather than a solid line. Similarly, use similar fur-like lines to sketch the lower jaw or chin of the dog.

Step 5: Add some details to the dog’s nose by drawing nostrils shaped like commas. Place them as shown in the reference for this step to achieve a natural look.

Step 6: At this stage, draw the eyes by creating black circles, leaving small areas uncolored to serve as highlights. These circles should be about one-third smaller than the guide circles drawn in Step 2, as they will represent the entire eye, not just the pupils.

Step 7: Using the guide circles drawn in Step 2, darken and add shading and details around the eyes to enhance their depth and shape. Focus on creating a natural look that reflects the contours of the dog’s face.

Step 8: Add short strokes along the snout to provide additional detail and shape. These strokes should mimic the texture of fur, enhancing the realism of the dog drawing.

Step 9: Now, we’ll draw the ears and the top of the dog’s head, completing the outline of the head. Refer to the illustration for this step as a guide. Use a series of short, textured lines for the upper part of the ears and the top of the head to mimic fur and add detail. This will help the drawing look more natural and less rigid.

Step 10: Draw the dog’s neck using short, textured lines to represent fur. This will add detail and make the neck appear more natural and lifelike.

Step 11: Add the final details to complete your sketch. Draw short strokes at the base of the ears to depict additional fur and texture. Add smooth, curved lines above the eyes to create the upper eyelids. Use small fur-like lines to add texture to the dog’s eyes and the top of its head. If you think other areas could use more fur texture, feel free to add it. Add short strokes at the lower part of the neck to indicate the visible part of the dog’s body. Finally, place small dots on the cheeks to represent the whisker marks.

Step 12: With the drawing now complete, take a moment to review it. Add any missing details and make necessary corrections. Once satisfied, erase all the guidelines drawn in Steps 1 and 2 to give the drawing a cleaner appearance. For a sharper, finalized result, you can trace over the important lines with a pen or ink. After the ink has dried, carefully erase all remaining pencil marks and sketches.

7 – How to Draw a Realistic Dog Head: Side View in 11 Easy Steps

Step 1: Start by drawing a circle to serve as the base of the dog’s head. In the upper left part of the circle, closer to the center, draw a smaller circle to indicate the eye’s position. From this smaller circle, use simple lines to sketch the upper part of the dog’s snout, extending to the left, downward, and back to the right. Beneath this shape, draw lines for the lower part of the snout and the lower jaw. Finally, in the upper right part of the circle, sketch simple lines to outline the shape of the dog’s ear.

Step 2: Draw the shape of the dog’s nose and extend the upper part of the snout into a smooth curve upward to form the forehead.

Step 3: Draw a single, continuous curved line starting from the middle of the lower part of the nose. Extend the line downward, then to the right, and finally curve it downward in a hook-like shape. This line will represent the dog’s cheek closest to us, as well as its mouth.

Step 4: Draw the lower part of the dog’s snout or lower jaw using a smooth, curved line based on the initial sketch from Step 1. Additionally, add the visible portion of the second cheek on the far side, a small detail starting from the left side below the nose.

Step 5: Draw two simple lines to shape the dog’s forehead and the top of its head, using the circle from Step 1 as a guide.

Step 6: In this step, draw the dog’s eye. Within the circle from the initial sketch, create a black circle, leaving a small portion uncolored to represent a highlight for the dog’s eye.

Step 7: Add details and shading around the dog’s eye to define the shape of its head more clearly and enhance the depth of the eye.

Step 8: Draw the outline of the dog’s ear, the one visible from our perspective. Use a single, continuous line based on the simple guidelines from the initial sketch.

Step 9: Draw simple lines starting from the right edge of the ear drawn in the previous step to outline the back of the neck. Then, add a smooth curved line extending downward from the lower part of the dog’s snout to complete the neck. Finally, include a few additional lines beneath the ear and mouth to define the lower part of the dog’s head.

Step 10: In this step, add the final details to the dog’s side profile. Shade the corner of the dog’s mouth with black to define it further. Add additional lines to emphasize the shape of the head. Include small dots on the cheek to represent whisker marks, and draw curved lines around the eye to enhance the head’s structure and realism.

Step 11: You’ve now completed the drawing of the dog’s head in a side view. In this step, review your work to add any missing details or adjust existing ones. Carefully erase the initial sketch from Step 1 to clean up the dog drawing. If you wish, trace the key lines of your completed sketch with ink or a pen. As mentioned before, once the ink is fully dry to prevent smudging, erase all remaining pencil marks to achieve a crisp and polished drawing of the dog’s head side view.

8 – Dog’s Head Drawing in Three-Quarter View: 13 Steps

In this guide, we’ll learn how to draw a dog’s head from a three-quarter view in thirteen steps. Since this perspective differs from the standard front, side, or back views, it requires extra attention to detail. To capture the dog’s proportions and angles accurately, I’ve included additional steps to guide you through the process. Pay close attention to the proportions and reference illustrations provided for each step. The first two steps focus on creating a basic sketch to establish the angles and structure. As always, use light pencil strokes for the sketch to make erasing easier later. Let’s begin!

Step 1: Start by drawing a circle as the base for the dog’s head. Within the circle, draw two curved lines—a vertical and a horizontal one—that intersect at the center. These lines will help indicate the head’s direction and volume.

Step 2: Draw two circles on the horizontal line from Step 1 to mark the placement of the dog’s eyes. From the inner edges of these circles, extend two lines toward the nose. The nose will be a horizontal oval, noticeably larger than the eyes. Using simple lines, shape the lower part of the dog’s snout as shown in the reference. Finally, sketch the basic shape of the dog’s ears with simple lines, starting from the top of the base circle from Step 1.

Step 3: Draw the main shape of the nose and add the nostrils as shown in the reference. From the left edge of the unfinished nose oval, draw a line extending toward the eye to form the upper part of the dog’s snout.

Step 4: Complete the outline of the nose and draw the dog’s cheeks, shaping them with smooth curves. Begin outlining the mouth to establish its form.

Step 5: Inside the circles marking the eyes from the base sketch, draw two smaller black-filled circles, leaving small uncolored areas for highlights. These circles should be smaller than the original sketch circles. Refer to the illustration for this step to ensure proper sizing of the eyes.

Step 6: Add details around the eyes to enhance their depth and shape. Use shading and lines to define the contours of the eyes and the surrounding area, helping to shape the dog’s head more realistically.

Step 7: Draw the lower part of the dog’s mouth, including the lower jaw and chin. Extend the lines upward and to the right to complete the lower part of the snout. In this step, also draw a line to outline the left side of the dog’s head, starting from the top of the snout and curving slightly upward and to the right above the following eye.

Step 8: Draw the top outline of the dog’s head and add a continuous line to form the ear on the right, fully visible from our perspective. Once the ear is drawn, add a curved line extending from the lower left edge of the ear to the bottom of the snout to complete the lower part of the dog’s head.

Step 9: Draw the second ear on the left side using a single line. Base the shape on the initial sketch created at the beginning.

Step 10: Add a few lines on the left side beneath the dog’s lower jaw and some lines on the right side under the ear to shape the visible part of the neck in your drawing.

Step 11: Add details around the eyes using simple lines, as shown in the reference. This will help refine the shape of the dog’s head and emphasize the eyelids and the area surrounding the eyes.

Step 12: Add the finishing details to your drawing of the dog’s head in a three-quarter view. Draw small dots on the cheeks to indicate whisker marks. Include slightly curved lines to enhance the shape of the dog’s snout and cheeks. You can also add curved lines along the inner parts of the ears to give them a sense of depth and volume.

Step 13: You’ve now completed your drawing of the dog’s head in a three-quarter view, with all the necessary details added. At this stage, you see a finished sketch without the base lines, so take a moment to review your work. Add or remove any details as needed, and carefully erase the base sketch to maintain the drawing’s clean appearance. Optionally, as with all previous and future drawings, you can trace your completed sketch with a pen or ink for sharper, clearer lines. Once the ink has dried, erase all remaining pencil marks and guidelines for a polished final look.

9 – Draw a Sitting Dog: Front View in 15 Simple Steps

In this guide, we’ll learn how to draw a dog in a sitting pose with a front-facing view. This drawing leans toward realism while being simplified into an easy, step-by-step process. The tutorial is broken into 15 straightforward steps to make it accessible for artists of all skill levels. Follow along, and you’ll be able to create a lifelike sitting dog that’s both detailed and approachable. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Begin with a basic sketch, using very light pencil lines to ensure they don’t overpower the main drawing and can be easily erased later. For this step, draw something resembling a snowman using three shapes. Start with the smallest circle at the top—this will serve as the base for the dog’s head in the front view. Below it, at a slight distance, draw a slightly larger circle for the upper body. Beneath that, use two simple curved lines extending downward from the sides of the middle circle to shape the legs in the sitting pose. Add a horizontal line at the bottom to represent the base where the dog is sitting. Finally, connect the head circle and the middle circle with two lines on each side to form the neck and the beginning of the upper body.

Step 2: Just above the lower edge of the head circle, draw a horizontal oval to represent the position and shape of the dog’s nose. From the outer edges of the oval, extend two lines slightly outward and upward. At the ends of these lines, draw two circles to mark the position of the eyes and help shape the dog’s snout. Beneath the nose, use simple lines to start forming the snout, cheeks, and chin. On either side of the head circle, draw simple shapes to outline the ears. These lines should remain light, marking the basic structure. Starting from the lower sides of the middle circle (representing the upper body), draw simple lines downward to define the front legs. At the bottom part, sketch the rear paws with simple lines to indicate the sitting pose.

Step 3: Draw the dog’s nose and nostrils as shown in the reference for this step. Focus on shaping the nose details accurately.

Step 4: Draw a vertical line starting from the bottom of the nose and extending to the lower edge of the head circle. From this line, create two additional curved lines on either side, forming a “W”-like shape. These lines will outline the cheeks and the sides of the dog’s head, connecting up to the ears.

Step 5: Complete the outline of the lower part of the dog’s head by drawing its chin and lower jaw. Then, on both sides of the head, draw two hook-shaped lines to represent the inner edges of the ears that are close to the head and hanging downward along its sides.

Step 6: In this step, use a single continuous line to draw the dog’s ears and the top of its head. Refer to the illustration provided and replicate the curves and shapes of the line to create realistic contours for the dog’s head and ears.

Step 7: It’s time to draw the dog’s eyes. Create two black-filled circles, leaving small uncolored areas for reflections to give a more realistic look. Place these circles where the eyes were marked in the base sketch.

Step 8: Add some details and depth to the eyes. Draw lines and shading around the eyes as shown in the reference to enhance their realism and structure.

Step 9: It’s time to move on to the dog’s body. Draw its neck and the sides of the upper body using the guidelines created in Step 1. Connect the head circle to the middle circle of the torso to define these parts.

Step 10: Draw the dog’s front legs in full, including the paws. Add lines to divide the paws into separate sections for a more realistic look.

Step 11: Based on the curved lines drawn earlier to mark the back legs in the sitting pose, outline them using slightly uneven, not perfectly smooth lines. This will add realism and a sense of texture to the drawing, giving it more character than simple straight lines.

Step 12: Draw the dog’s back paws in the sitting pose, dividing them into individual sections for added detail. Use the base sketch from Step 2 as a guide to ensure accurate positioning and proportions.

Step 13: Complete the lower part of the dog’s body by drawing a small line connecting the front legs. Additionally, sketch a simple tail on the right side, resting on the ground.

Step 14: In this step, we’ll finalize the drawing of the dog in a sitting pose with a front view by adding various details to enhance its realism and definition. Add curved lines on the ears to show their shape and folds. Draw a few simple curved lines on both sides of the snout to emphasize the head’s structure. Around the eyes, include small lines to define their shape and show the eyelids. Add dots on the cheeks for whisker marks. Under the lower jaw, draw two lines to detail the neck. Along the body and legs, include curved lines to represent fur texture and folds. Lastly, at the tips of each paw, draw small shapes to indicate the dog’s nails.

Step 15: In this step, you see the completed drawing of the dog in a sitting pose with a front view. At this stage, erase the base sketch and remove all unnecessary lines created for proportions and guidelines. Review your work, fixing any details you don’t like, erasing anything extra, or adding any missing elements. Optionally, as always, you can outline the completed sketch with a pen or ink. Once the ink has dried, erase all remaining pencil lines and the entire base sketch to achieve a clean, polished final drawing. This step is optional, as mentioned throughout.

10 – How to Draw a Sitting Dog: Full Body Side View in 11 Steps

In this guide, we’ll learn how to draw a sitting dog in full body, viewed from the side. Simplified for easy understanding, this guide is perfect for anyone looking to create a realistic drawing of a dog. The dog is depicted sitting upright, so only two legs—the front and rear on the visible side—are shown, making this sketch more approachable while still delivering a detailed and impressive result. The guide consists of 11 steps, with the first two dedicated to creating a base proportional sketch. Use light pencil strokes for the initial sketch to make erasing easy after the drawing is complete. Let’s begin!

Step 1: Start by creating the basic structure of the dog using simple shapes and lines. Draw a circle near the top of your drawing space to serve as the base for the dog’s head. Slightly below and to the right, draw another circle that is slightly larger than the head circle. Then, at a distance further down to the right, draw a third circle, similar in size to the head circle. Use curved lines to connect all three circles, as shown in the reference, to form the framework of the dog’s body.

Step 2: Using simple lines, outline the placement and size of the visible ear from the side view, as well as the shape of the snout. On the upper line marking the top of the snout, draw a small vertical line to indicate where the dog’s eye will be placed. From the lower part of the middle circle, sketch simple lines and shapes to form the front leg and its sections. Around the bottom circle, draw curved arch and lines to shape the rear leg, showing its bend, and a simple tail resting on the floor.

Step 3: Begin drawing the dog’s features, starting with its snout. Draw a triangular shape for the nose and fill it in with black, leaving a small area uncolored at the top to create a highlight and add depth. From the bottom of the triangle, draw a line to define the lower part of the snout. From the top of the triangle, draw a single line that forms the upper part of the snout, extending upward to shape the forehead and continuing to the start of the ear.

Step 4: In this step, complete the lower part of the dog’s snout with a small curved line, as shown in the reference. Next, use a single continuous line to draw the ear, following the outline from the base sketch in Step 2. Observe the reference image and replicate the same curves for accuracy. Finally, draw a simple eye with detailed outlines around it, leaving a small uncolored area for a highlight to add depth.

Step 5: Begin drawing the dog’s body. Starting from the lower part of the snout, where it meets the base circle of the head, draw a smooth line following the base sketch to outline the front of the neck and torso. Then, starting from the base of the ear at the top of the head, draw an extended line down along the back of the neck and spine, ending at the bottom where the tail and rear leg will begin.

Step 6: Using the base guidelines for the front leg, draw most of the leg, leaving the lower portion for the next step. Refer to the illustration and use small edgy/sharp lines and shapes to indicate texture and fur, especially near the top where the front leg begins.

Step 7: Complete the lower part of the dog’s front leg by adding visible divisions and distinct shapes for each paw pad or toe. Refer to the illustration for proper positioning and proportions.

Step 8: In this step, outline the rear leg in the sitting pose, focusing on its bend and how it rests on the floor. For the area where the leg bends, use sharper, textured lines to mimic the appearance of fur and add realism to the drawing.

Step 9: In this step, complete the outline of the dog’s body by drawing the front and lower parts of the torso, including the belly. Use short, curved lines to simulate the texture of fur along these areas. Do the same for the tail, following the base sketch created in Step 2. With this, the overall outline of the dog is now complete.

Step 10: In this step, add the final details to complete the overall sketch. Draw several dots on the dog’s cheek to indicate whisker marks. Add details around the eye for depth, and include a line on the lower part of the ear to define its shape and volume. Use a few curved lines in the lower and middle parts of the head to emphasize its contours. Optionally, add curved lines at the top of the front leg to depict muscles and folds in that area.

Step 11: In the illustration for this step, you can see the completed drawing of the dog in a sitting pose, viewed from the side. As you may notice, the guidelines and proportional base sketch from the first two steps are no longer visible. Carefully erase these auxiliary lines to clean up your drawing. Make any necessary corrections, add missing details, or remove elements you don’t like. Optionally, you can trace the drawing with a pen and then erase all pencil lines to achieve a polished final result.

11 – Sitting Dog: Three-Quarter View in 17 Steps

This guide is the second-to-last in our series dedicated to drawing dogs, and here we’ll create a full-body drawing of a dog in a sitting pose with a three-quarter view. Due to the 3/4 perspective, maintaining proper proportions is essential, so this guide is the most detailed of all, with 17 steps. Each step is carefully designed to help you capture every detail and create a highly polished and realistic drawing of a sitting dog. Let’s get started!

Step 1: As in the previous guides for drawing a sitting dog in full body, begin by sketching three circles to serve as the base and proportions for the dog’s body and head. At the top, draw the first circle, which will act as the base for the dog’s head. Inside this circle, add a vertical and horizontal line to indicate the direction and center of the head. Below it, at a certain distance, draw a circle approximately twice the size of the head circle to represent the upper body. Finally, at the bottom and slightly to the right, draw another circle the same size as the head circle to represent the lower body. Connect these three circles with smooth, curved lines as shown in the reference for this step.

Step 2: Next, based on the vertical line inside the head circle, draw a horizontal oval at the bottom of the circle to indicate the shape and position of the nose. From the sides of this oval, draw two vertical lines extending upward to meet the horizontal guideline in Step 1. At the ends of these lines, draw two circles to mark the position of the dog’s eyes. Below the head circle, use simple lines to create the shape of the lower part of the dog’s snout. From the top of the head circle, extend simple lines outward to outline the shape of the ears. Starting from the bottom of the middle circle, sketch basic forms for the front legs, and use simple lines to outline the visible parts of the rear legs. Optionally, draw a horizontal line at the very bottom to represent the ground where the dog’s paws rest.

Step 3: Draw the dog’s nose in full and add nostrils shaped like commas, as shown in the reference for this step.

Step 4: Draw a line starting from approximately the lower third of the nose and extending downward to the bottom of the head circle. From there, create a soft “W”-shaped line with smooth curves to form the cheeks and define this part of the dog’s snout.

Step 5: Draw the lower part of the dog’s snout using a single smooth line, as shown in the reference. Then, outline the sides of the dog’s head, extending the lines up to the base of the ears.

Step 6: Draw the outline of the dog’s ears and the top of its head. You can use a single continuous line or multiple short strokes to mimic texture. The goal for this step is to complete the outline of the dog’s head and ears.

Step 7: Inside the circles from the base sketch that mark the eye positions, draw two black circles, leaving small areas uncolored for highlights. These will be the dog’s eyes.

Step 8: Add details around the eyes to enhance their structure, creating depth and defining the shapes and volumes of the area surrounding the eyes.

Step 9: Begin drawing the dog’s body by outlining the neck with two lines. The first line starts where the ear meets the side of the head on the right, and the second line starts from the left side of the lower snout. These lines form the dog’s neck. Next, use the base sketch lines to shape the front part of the torso on the left and outline the back and side of the body, extending down to the rear leg on the right.

Step 10: In this step, begin drawing the rear leg closest to us from this perspective. Outline the upper portion of the leg, including the bend, extending down to the part that touches the floor.

Step 11: Complete the outline of the rear leg started in the previous step by drawing the portion that rests on the floor. Add divisions for the paw to create distinct shapes for each toe.

Step 12: Continue drawing the dog’s body and legs. In this step, outline the belly, starting from the left side of the middle circle and extending to the front leg closest to us. Then, draw the outline of this front leg and add distinct shapes for the paw pads.

Step 13: In this step, draw the second front leg in its entirety, following the reference illustration to ensure proper proportions and positioning.

Step 14: Complete the overall outline of the dog, excluding the tail. In this step, draw the visible part of the second rear leg from this perspective. This includes a small curve at the bend of the outer part of the leg, and the section of the paw that rests on the ground, visible behind the front legs.

Step 15: In this step, complete the outline of the dog by drawing the tail. Position it resting on the floor, to the right of the dog’s body, as shown in the reference.

Step 16: This is the final step where we add missing details and texture to enhance the overall drawing of the sitting dog in a three-quarter view. Add whisker marks on the cheeks and draw lines to show folds and curves on the ears, forehead, around the eyes, and the snout to define the head’s shape. Include additional lines on the neck, torso, and above the front legs, as well as inside the rear legs, to depict muscle contours and natural curves. Use simple lines to draw claws and refine details on the lower parts of the dog’s paws for a more polished look.

Step 17: In this step, erase the base sketch created in the first two steps, as well as any remaining pencil marks, to clean up your completed drawing. Review your work to ensure all details are in place and add any missing elements if necessary. Optionally, as mentioned in previous guides, you can outline the sketch with a pen or ink for a sharper and more polished look. Once the ink has dried, erase any remaining pencil lines for a clean and professional finish.

12 – Dog Drawing: Full-Body Side View in 12 Easy Steps

In this final guide of the series, we’ll learn how to draw a full-body dog from a side view in 12 simple steps. Designed to be as accessible as the previous guides, this tutorial breaks down the process into clear and manageable parts, making it easy for anyone to follow. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to improve, this guide will help you create a beautiful and realistic drawing of a dog from the side. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Since this is a standing pose, we’ll also use circles as the base, but we’ll position them differently to reflect the dog’s stance. Start by drawing the main circle for the head in the upper left part of your paper. Slightly below and to the right, draw another circle twice the size of the first one to represent the upper body. To the right of that, at a similar distance, draw another circle of the same size as the head circle for the rear part of the dog’s body. Connect these circles with straight lines, as shown in the reference illustration.

Step 2: Using the circles from the previous step as a base, start forming the general details of the dog’s limbs and snout. In the upper right part of the head circle, use two lines to outline the ear’s shape. Extend a line from the left side of the head circle, then another one from it downward and then back to the right to shape the dog’s snout. Add a vertical line near the start of the snout on the right side to mark the eye’s position. Use simple rectangular shapes and lines to outline the front and rear legs. Finally, add basic lines to indicate the tail.

Step 3: Draw the outline of the snout, as well as the front and top part of the head leading up to the ear. Start by drawing a triangle-like shape with rounded corners for the nose, filling it in with black. From the bottom of the nose, draw a curved line downward and to the right to create the outline of the lower part of the snout. Then, from the top of the nose, follow the base sketch to draw a line that defines the upper snout, forehead, and the top part of the head.

Step 4: Draw the dog’s eye, filling it in with black while leaving a small area uncolored for a highlight. Add details around the eye to enhance its depth. Next, outline the lower jaw with a smooth line and draw the ear, following the base sketch for proper positioning and shape.

Step 5: Draw the front part of the neck and the start of the body. Continue by outlining the back of the neck, extending the line along the back, and connecting it smoothly down to the top of the rear leg.

Step 6: Add a slightly curved line to outline the front part of the body. Right after, sketch most of the front leg closest to us, leaving the lower portion for the next step.

Step 7: Complete the lower part of the front leg to finish the first leg in out dog drawing. Be sure to divide the paw into separate sections by drawing each toe individually.

Step 8: Draw the outline of the lower body and belly. Fully define the rear leg, completing the structure started earlier when drawing the back.

Step 9: At this stage, finish drawing the legs by adding the two missing legs. Use the reference for this step to ensure proper proportions and details.

Step 10: Draw the tail, shaping it to flow naturally behind the dog.

Step 11: Add final details to enhance realism. Include folds and curves in the body to represent muscles and natural contours. Add details on the legs, lines around the eyes to define the head shape, folds on the ear, and small dots on the cheeks to represent whisker marks.

Step 12: In this final step, erase the base sketch created in the first steps to clean up the drawing. Carefully review the sketch, correcting or refining any elements as needed. Optionally, outline the sketch with a pen or ink for sharper lines. Once the ink has dried, erase all remaining pencil marks to reveal a clean and polished drawing of a standing dog from a side view.

The next guides I plan to create will focus on drawing specific dog breeds, each featuring different styles, angles, and poses. The first one, a tutorial for French Bulldogs, is almost ready and will offer a variety of drawing options for this popular breed. If you’ve enjoyed these guides, feel free to share this one with your friends or on social media. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to see more like this—your feedback helps shape future tutorials!

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