In this tutorial, I’ll explain how to draw a hippo in side view with a full body design. The guide is split into 12 steps, making the process easy to follow. Because of the large shapes and smooth outlines, I’d call this one easy in complexity, suitable for beginners and those practicing animal proportions.
Main Features of a Hippo Side View
- Head: Large and broad with small rounded ears and wide nostrils.
- Eyes: Positioned high on the head.
- Body: Massive and barrel-shaped.
- Legs: Short and stocky, supporting the heavy frame.
- Tail: Small and thin, at the back of the rounded body.
- Skin Details: Few folds and lines to show thickness.
If you want more practice with animal drawings, you could also try sketching an elephant side view, a hippo in front view, or a lion to expand your wildlife drawing collection.
Step Colors Explained
- Red Color: Current lines to draw.
- Black Color: Lines completed in earlier steps.
- Grey Color: Basic sketch used for proportions.












That wraps up how to draw a Hippo Full Body Side View, and hopefully those chunky proportions feel a little less intimidating now that you’ve broken them down step by step. If you like following along with video, the SketchOk YouTube channel regularly uploads drawing guides, so it’s worth checking out when you want a visual walkthrough. And when your hippo is finished, the Pinterest pinned post for this tutorial is a great spot to drop your result and see what others have drawn.