Rhinos are great to draw because of their strong build and unique shapes. In this tutorial, I’ll go over how to draw a rhino in a full-body side view using 17 simple steps. The process focuses on getting the proportions right – from the large body and thick legs to the curved horns and sturdy head structure.
Rhino’s Key Features to Note
- Body: Large barrel-shaped torso with thick, rounded forms.
- Head: Long and slightly downward-angled with two horns.
- Horns: The front horn is longer and curves slightly forward; the second horn is smaller and closer to the forehead.
- Legs: Short but strong, with visible folds and wrinkles around the joints.
- Tail: Small and tufted at the end.
- Skin Texture: Thick with visible folds around the body, shoulders and legs.
Rhinoceroses are among the largest land mammals, known for their armor-like skin and horns made of keratin. They can be found in both Africa and Asia, with species such as the black rhino, white rhino, Indian rhino, and Sumatran rhino showing slightly different horn and body shapes. This guide focuses on a classic African rhino in profile view, making it easy to capture their signature silhouette.
If you enjoy drawing realistic animals, this rhino guide pairs well with other step-by-step sketches like elephants, hippos and lions – perfect for building an African wildlife series.
About This 17-Step Drawing Guide
The drawing process is split into 17 stages, starting from the basic structure and ending with the final outline and details. The color-coding system helps make each stage clear and easy to follow:
- Red Color: marks the current lines being added in that step.
- Black Color: shows the completed lines from previous steps.
- Grey Color: represents the initial base sketch for proportion and posture.
When you finish your rhino drawing, share it in the comments under the pinned Pinterest post: artists often post their work there, and it’s a great way to see different approaches and styles.
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