How to draw a penguin, step by step
A round little penguin from six ovals, two circles and a two-line beak. Every shape is simple; the trick is getting the ovals the right way up.
Draw this penguin on screen →Mouse, finger or stylus, each stroke scored. Unlocks free when you sign in and reach a 7-day practice streak.
You'll need
Paper and a pencil, then pens or crayons to colour in. Or nothing at all: draw it on screen and each stroke gets a score for how straight, round and smooth it is.
Steps
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Step 1: the body
Draw a tall oval for the body, filling most of the page from top to bottom.
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Step 2: the belly
Draw a smaller tall oval inside it, lower down, for the white belly.
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Step 3: the left eye
Draw a small circle for the left eye, near the top of the body.
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Step 4: the right eye
Draw the right eye the same size and height.
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Step 5: the beak
Draw the beak as two short straight lines meeting in a point, just below and between the eyes.
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Step 6: the left flipper
Draw a long thin oval on the left side for the flipper, tilted so it points down and out.
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Step 7: the right flipper
Draw the right flipper the same way, tilted the other way.
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Step 8: the left foot
Draw a flat oval at the bottom left for a foot.
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Step 9: the right foot
Draw the other foot next to it.
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Step 10: colour it in
Colour the body and flippers dark grey or black and leave the belly white. Make the beak and feet orange, give the eyes black pupils, and add two little pink cheeks.
Tips
- Keep the body oval tall and the belly oval inside it, touching neither side: the dark edge all round is the penguin look.
- Flippers drooping down and out look relaxed; pointing up, the penguin looks excited.
- Big round body, small feet: the bigger the difference, the cuter.
Questions
What shapes do I need to draw a penguin?
Two tall ovals (body and belly), two circles (eyes), two thin ovals (flippers), two flat ovals (feet) and two short lines for the beak.
How do I draw a baby penguin?
Make the body rounder and shorter, the eyes bigger, and colour it fluffy grey instead of black and white.
Why is my penguin lopsided?
Usually the belly oval is off-centre. Draw the belly first in your mind as a mirror of the body, then draw it in one smooth stroke.