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How to Draw a Dung Beetle

12 steps · Medium · about 9 min

Draw a dung beetle 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: a small head.

Step 1: A small head
On the left of your paper, near the middle, draw a small sideways egg for the head.
Tip A dung beetle is small, but it rolls a ball as big as itself.
Step 2: Two big eyes
In the middle of the head draw 2 big egg eyes with black dots and white specks.
Step 3: Smile and cheeks
Start under the left eye. Draw a line across to the right eye, with a wide U below. Add cheeks.
Step 4: A round body
Behind the head draw a plump sideways egg tipped up at the back, like the beetle is doing a handstand.
Tip The body tips up because the beetle is pushing with its back legs.
Step 5: Shell line
Start at the head and draw one gently curved line through the middle of the body to its back tip.
Step 6: Front and middle legs
Draw a bent leg under the head and one under the body. Add a thinner leg peeking behind each.
Tip Each leg is fat at the body and thin at the hooked foot, with one bend.
Step 7: A big ball
Behind the beetle draw a big round ball, as tall as the body, with its bottom level with the feet.
Tip The ball is the star: make it big.
Step 8: Pushing legs
From the back of the body draw a bent leg to the ball. Add a thin leg above it.
Tip A beetle has 6 legs: 3 near ones and 3 peeking out behind.
Step 9: Ground and ball marks
Draw a ground line from edge to edge under the feet and ball. Add 3 curved marks on the ball.
Step 10: Pink cheeks, red mouth
Colour the round cheeks pink and the open mouth red.
Step 11: Brown ball, grey legs
Colour the big ball brown and all 6 legs dark grey.
Step 12: Blue shell, black head
Colour the body dark blue. Colour the head black around the cheeks and mouth. Leave the eyes white.