Learn how to draw a prairie dog by starting with simple shapes and gradually adding features, details, and clean outlines.

Step 1:

Mark the picture’s width and height, draw two ovals for the prairie dog’s head and body, add a center line for its head and body, and draw a line for the feet.

Short tip: Light guidelines help you keep everything aligned and easy to fix.

Step 2:

Draw the prairie dog’s body and neck, paying special attention to shaping its forehead.

Short tip: A smooth forehead curve gives the prairie dog its natural look.

Step 3:

Add guidelines to show where the prairie dog’s legs, feet, eyes, nose, and lips will go.

Short tip: These guides make it easier to place features correctly.

Step 4:

Sketch the prairie dog’s legs, feet, snout, and ear.

Short tip: Keep these shapes simple before adding details.

Step 5:

Draw the prairie dog’s eye and toes.

Short tip: Small details like toes and eyes bring the drawing to life.

Step 6:

Add the prairie dog’s claws and carefully refine the whole figure with more details.

Short tip: Refine slowly, smoothing lines as you go.

Step 7:

Outline the prairie dog with thick and thin dark lines, add more details and the ground, then erase all the guidelines.

Short tip: Thicker outer lines and thinner inner lines create a clean, finished drawing.