How to Draw a Zebra
Learn how to draw a zebra! This lesson’s perfect for beginners. We're keeping it simple and fun.
First things first, grab your pencil and some drawing paper. Don't forget those crayons or colored pencils for later. If you wanna make your outlines pop, have a black marker handy too. I like outlining things in marker once I know the drawing structure will not change.
We'll start with basic shapes and lines. Nothing fancy—just easy steps you can follow. By the end of this 50-minute session, you'll have your very own zebra drawing.
Ready? Let's do this together!
Estimated Time: 50 minutes
Level: Intermediate
Materials
- Pencil
- Drawing Paper
- Crayons or Colored Pencils
- Black Marker (optional)
Lesson: How to Draw a Zebra
Alright everybody, in the lesson below we're learning how to draw a zebra in 15 steps. We'll break it down with simple shapes and lines and get those iconic zebra stripes right. No need for fancy stuff; we'll keep it easy enough. Grab your pencils and paper, and let's sketch this wild animal as best as we can. Follow along closely, and you'll have your own zebra in no time!
Outline the Head
Start by drawing a curved line to form the zebra’s head.
Add the Eyes
Add two pointed ovals to draw the zebra’s eyes.
Form the Snout
Form the outline of its snout and draw two short lines for its nostrils.
Outline the Mouth
Draw a curved line below the snout to outline its mouth.
Attach the Ears
Attach the zebra’s pointed ears on top of its head.
Outline the Body
Outline the zebra’s elongated body by drawing two curving lines.
Add the Legs
Add four tall, slender legs attached to the base of its body. Now, form its hooves at the bottom of its legs. Then, erase any overlapping lines.
Attach the Tail
Attach the thin, wavy shape of its tail.
Form the Tail Tuft
Form the tuft of hair at the end of the zebra's tail.
Outline the Mane
Outline the zebra’s mane on top of its head and along the back of its neck.
Draw Grass
Create a field of grass around the zebra by drawing curved, pointed lines.
Color the Eyes
Color the eyes with black and add white shimmer.
Shade the Zebra’s Body
Use a dark shade of gray to fill in the mane, hooves, tail tuft, snout and mouth. Next, color the inner ears with pink. Then, shade the zebra’s body with white and light gray.
Add the Striped Pattern
Add the striped pattern along the zebra's head, body, legs and tail using a dark gray color.
Fill in the Background
Fill in the sky with light blue. Then, use a yellow green color to shade the grass.
Artist & Educator