In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Cheetah in 7 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Cheetah.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Cheetah - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Start with the head. Think of a sideways "W" making the bottom side smaller to make the mouth.
Step 2: Right at the top of the snout draw a tiny eye. Continue the snout line up to create the top of the head. The pointy ear is at the top of the head. Keep drawing the back of the head line down and on a diagonal.
Step 3: Keep drawing the back line back to the rump. The front line of the body begins at the bottom line of the snout. It is a large curve like a boomerang.
Step 4: Next draw the front leg right at the bottom part of the belly curve. The cheetah is running in this pose. The front leg is bent.
Step 5: Now we draw the hind leg. The top curve of the hind leg starts up by the back. It bends down into a long foot. It curves back up past the back line.
Step 6: Between the back line and the back line of the hind leg draw two lines to make the long thick tail with a black tip.
Step 7: Finally, add the other two legs. The other hind leg is longer than the first leg. The second front leg is between the first front leg and the first hind leg. They are also bent like the cheetah is running.
Interesting Facts about Cheetahs
Cheetahs are large felines (cats) that live across some areas in the Middle East and throughout most of Africa. They are close relatives of cougars.
The modern cheetah is believed to have existed nearly 11 million years ago, with roughly 15,000 wild cheetahs living today.
Did you know?
- The cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world, being able to reach 62 miles per hour within 3 seconds and running as fast as 75 miles per hour for up to 1600 feet.
- The common cheetah is recognized by the round black spots on its coat that measure up to 1.2 inches.
- King cheetahs have a rare mutated pattern of larger, merged spots, sometimes appearing as stripes.
- Female cheetahs will have about 3-5 baby cubs that will stay with their mother until about 18 months old. When the mother leaves, the siblings will group and stay together for about six months.
- Female cheetahs are generally loners, while male cheetahs will hunt and live in groups that stay near an area where female cheetahs are roaming.
- Cheetahs were kept as pets in Ancient Egypt, like some are today.
Years ago, having items and clothing made with cheetah fur symbolized wealth and high social status. Today, cheetahs play an important role in tourism, both in natural environments (ecotourism) and in zoos.
How to Draw A Cheetah – Quick Step-by-Step Tutorial