Have you ever wanted to draw a tortoise but didn’t know where to start? No worries! This step-by-step guide will help you create a cute tortoise drawing that’s fun and easy for artists of all levels. Even if you’re new to drawing, you’ll be able to follow along and have fun!
Tortoises are amazing creatures! Did you know that some tortoises can live for over 100 years? That means they might be older than your great-grandparents! Unlike turtles, tortoises live on land and don’t swim. They have strong legs and hard shells that protect them from predators.
Are you ready to bring a tortoise to life on paper? Grab your pencil, some paper, and let’s begin!
Materials:
- a piece of paper
- a pencil for the guiding lines and sketching
- an eraser
- a black sharpie or a pen for the outlines
- markers or colored pencils for coloring
- our printable drawing guide (Join my Email List below to get this Tutorial)
Here are my RECOMMENDED Art Supplies!
- Crayola Coloring Set (140 Pieces – Mega Value!)
- 24 Colored Crayon Set
- A4 Printer Paper
- Crayola Coloring Pencils
- HP Home Printer with Instant Ink!
Time needed:
15 minutes.
How to Draw a Tortoise — Let’s get started!
Step 1 – Draw the Shell
The tortoise’s shell is its most important feature. It’s like a built-in house that keeps it safe!
Start by drawing a large, curved shape that looks like a dome. This will be the top part of the shell.
Make sure the shape is smooth and rounded, like a half-circle.
You can make your tortoise’s shell taller or flatter, depending on how you want it to look.
Fun Fact: A tortoise’s shell is actually part of its skeleton! It’s made of bones and grows with the tortoise, just like our bones grow as we get older.
Step 2 – Draw the Bottom of the Shell
Now, let’s complete the shell by adding the bottom part.
Draw a curved line under the top shell. This will form the underside of the tortoise’s body.
Add small, rounded bumps along the bottom edge. These bumps make the shell look more realistic.
Did you know? The bottom of a tortoise’s shell is called a plastron. It helps protect the tortoise’s belly from predators and sharp objects on the ground.
Step 3 – Draw the Shell Pattern
Tortoises have unique tortoise shell patterns, just like humans have fingerprints. Let’s add some details!
Draw straight lines on the shell to divide it into sections.
Inside each section, draw smaller shapes like hexagons or rectangles.
These shapes should follow the curve of the shell to make it look more natural.
Fun Fact: No two tortoises have the same shell pattern! Each tortoise has a different design, making them unique.
Step 4 – Add the Head and Neck
Now it’s time to give our tortoise a head!
Draw a small, oval-shaped head extending from the front of the shell.
Connect the head to the shell with a slightly curved neck. The neck should be thin but long enough so the tortoise can peek out.
Make sure the neck curves gently—tortoises don’t have straight necks!
Fun Fact: Tortoises can pull their heads inside their shells to hide from danger! Some tortoises even have a special hinge on their shells that lets them close up completely.
Step 5 – Add the Front Legs
Tortoises need strong legs to move around, so let’s draw them next!
Draw two thick, curved legs coming out from under the shell.
The legs should be short and slightly bent, since tortoises move slowly.
Tortoises have big, rounded feet with short toes. Add tiny lines at the end of the feet to show the toes and make it look like a realistic tortoise.
Did you know? Unlike turtles, tortoises have stumpy, elephant-like legs that help them walk on rough land.
Step 6 – Add the Back Leg
Now, let’s add the back leg to balance our tortoise’s body.
Draw one large, slightly bent leg at the back of the shell.
The back leg should be a little thicker than the front legs.
Add tiny lines for toes, just like on the front legs.
Fun Fact: Tortoises use their strong back legs to dig burrows where they sleep or hide from the sun!
Step 7 – Add the Chest and Tail
Now, let’s complete the body!
Draw a curved line underneath the shell to show the tortoise’s chest.
At the back, add a small, pointy tail. Tortoise tails are tiny and don’t stick out much.
Tip: You can make your tortoise look fatter or thinner by adjusting the chest shape!
Step 8 – Add Facial Details
It’s time to give our tortoise some personality!
Draw two small circles for the eyes. Add tiny dots inside each eye to make them look shiny.
Draw a small, curved line for the mouth. You can make it smile, frown, or even look surprised!
Add tiny nostrils by drawing two little dots near the tip of the nose.
Tip: If you want your tortoise to look extra cute, add small eyebrows above the eyes!
Step 9 – Color Your Drawing!
Now for the fun part: coloring your tortoise!
- The shell can be brown, yellow, or green.
- The skin can be light brown, beige, or olive green.
- You can add shadows to make the drawing look more 3D.
Pin it now, Draw later!
Fun Fact: Some tortoises’ shells turn darker when they’re in the sun, just like how humans get a tan!
Fun Facts About Tortoises
- Here are some cool tortoise facts you might not know:
- Longest Lifespan: The oldest known tortoise, Jonathan, is over 190 years old!
- Super Slow: Tortoises walk at a speed of 0.2 miles per hour—that’s even slower than a snail!
- No Teeth: Instead of teeth, tortoises have a strong beak that helps them chew their food.
- Vegetarian Diet: Tortoises eat leaves, grass, and flowers—they love munching on plants!
Tortoises are amazing creatures, and now you know so much about them!
Tips and Tricks for Better Drawing
Want to improve your drawing skills? Here are some tips!
- Use light pencil strokes so you can erase mistakes easily.
- Take your time drawing slowly helps you get better results.
- Practice different expressions—try drawing a happy tortoise, a sleepy tortoise, or even a grumpy one!
- Add background details like grass, rocks, or flowers to make your drawing more interesting.
Pro Tip: If you love tortoises, try drawing baby tortoises or a whole family of them!
Congratulations! You’ve just learned how to draw a tortoise step by step. Now you can color it, add details, and even create your own tortoise story!
We’d love to see your drawing! Share it on social media using #EmilyDrawing so we can admire your masterpiece.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, check out our other fun drawing guides—you might love our guide on drawing a turtle as well! Who knows? Maybe your next drawing will be a turtle, a rabbit, or even a dinosaur!
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