How to Draw a Panda Eating Bamboo

Step 1: Big wide head

Near the top, draw a big egg on its side, wider than tall. It is half of the whole panda.

Tip Leave room underneath for the body and the bamboo.

Step 2: Big round ears

On each side of the head, draw a big round ear like a cookie. Colour both ears black.

Tip Panda ears sit out on the sides, not on top.

Step 3: Eye patches and eyes

Below the middle, draw 2 big black egg patches slanting down. Draw a big round eye in each.

Tip Big slanted patches are the most panda thing of all.

Step 4: Nose and smile

Between the patches, draw a small black triangle nose. From its point, draw a short line down into a smile.

Step 5: Round body

Start on the left cheek. Draw a big C side down, stopping a hand above the bottom. Do both.

Tip Pandas are roly-poly, so the sides bow out wider than the head.

Step 6: Legs and feet

Start where each side stopped. Draw a fat leg down into a big round foot, back across the tummy.

Tip Join the feet with a tummy line and add the ground.

Step 7: Arms and fists

Draw a fist under the right cheek, one on the tummy. From each shoulder, curve arms down to the fists.

Tip The right fist is held up high, ready to hold the bamboo.

Step 8: Bamboo to munch

Start under the smile. Draw 2 long lines down and stop at the right fist. Carry on past the arm.

Tip Rub out the bit of chin inside the bamboo, then add 2 short joint lines.

Step 9: Bamboo leaves

Start on the stalk outside the arm. Draw 2 long pointed leaves, one pointing up and one leaning right.

Tip Leaves grow from a joint, not the very tip.

Step 10: Toe pads

On each foot, draw a big oval pad low down and 3 little round toes above it in a rainbow.

Step 11: Green bamboo

Colour the bamboo stalk green and its 2 leaves a lighter leaf green.

Step 12: Pink pads, black fur

Colour pads and toes pink, then arms, fists, legs and feet black, around the pads. Leave the eyes white.