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How to Draw a Clouded Leopard

12 steps · Medium · about 9 min

Draw a clouded leopard in 12 easy steps, about 9 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.

Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: the head.

Step 1: The head
On the left, draw a big round head, a bit wider than tall, with full round cheeks.
Tip Leave lots of room on the right for the long body and tail.
Step 2: Round ears
High on each side of the head draw a small round ear with a half-moon inside. The left is smaller.
Step 3: Big eyes
On the middle of the head, a little to the left, draw 2 big eggy eyes with black dots.
Tip Leave a tiny white shine in each eye.
Step 4: Snout and smile
Under the left eye draw a snout poking past the head. From its black nose, draw down into a w.
Tip Rub out the head line inside the snout.
Step 5: The back
Start on the head beside the eye. Draw a long back, round a big bottom and stop underneath.
Tip The line dips down the neck, then runs almost flat.
Step 6: Branch and front leg
Draw a long branch with a twig. From under the chin, draw a leg down to a paw and back.
Tip The plump paw stands on top of the branch.
Step 7: Tummy and back leg
From the front leg draw the tummy. Then a round thigh down to a paw and up to the bottom.
Tip The legs are short: this cat is a tree climber.
Step 8: Far legs and toes
Under the tummy draw 2 more legs peeking out. Add 2 toe lines on big paws, 1 on small paws.
Tip All 4 paws stand on the branch.
Step 9: Long thick tail
From the top of the bottom, sweep a long thick tail down, then curl the tip up.
Tip Make it as long as the body and as thick as a leg.
Step 10: Cloud markings
Draw 5 big cloud shapes with bumpy edges on the body. Add 3 small spots on the tail.
Tip Keep the clouds big and away from the edges.
Step 11: Sand fur
Colour the fur sand, around the clouds and spots. Colour the ear insides peach. Leave the eyes and snout white.
Step 12: Brown clouds
Colour the clouds and the tail spots dark brown. Colour the branch a lighter brown.