In this tutorial, I’m going over how to draw a cheetah in its classic sprint pose, often called the double-suspension phase. This moment shows all four legs off the ground. It’s a well-known pose for representing speed, and it does involve some precision. The drawing is moderately complex due to the anatomy and pose, but manageable when broken into steps.
What to Focus on While Sketching the Cheetah
- Arched back and streamlined body
- Both front and back legs tucked under the body
- Small head with short ears
- Tail stretched out and slightly curved
- Even spacing and curve in the spine to show motion
- Spots scattered across the body and limbs
Once you’re done with this cheetah drawing, you could try animals like a galloping horse, a charging bull and ram, or a prowling lioness for more dynamic side-view poses.
How to Draw a Cheetah in Sprint – Color Code Guide
This 19-step guide uses a simple color legend to keep the process organized:
- Red Color: the new lines added in the current step
- Black Color: lines already completed from previous steps
- Gray Color: the initial sketch lines to guide the structure
I start the sketch with the torso shape using circles to get the running angle right, then build out the limbs, tail. And then we’ll start outlining the pose and adding details. The limbs need attention to overlap and symmetry, especially when one leg is behind another. The tail should follow the flow of the run to balance the pose visually.
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I’d like to see what you come up with: feel free to share your finished cheetah drawing in the comments under the pinned post on Pinterest. That’s where people usually drop their versions.
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