How to Draw a Panda

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 2 round fists on the tummy. Start under each cheek and draw a rainbow arm down to the fist.

Tip The right fist sits higher to hold the bamboo.

Step 8: Bamboo stalk

Start on the left fist. Draw 2 long lines a finger apart, tilting up to the right fist and beyond.

Tip Close the cut end and add 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.