How to Draw Rainforest Layers

Step 1: Leafy canopy

Across the middle draw a long thick band of leaves, with round bumps along the top and the bottom.

Tip The canopy is the leafy roof of the rainforest. Most animals live up here.

Step 2: Ground and trunks

Draw a ground line near the bottom. Draw 3 trunks from the leaves down to it, wider at the roots.

Tip Start the ground line near the left edge and stop near the right edge.

Step 3: Tallest tree

Above the middle trunk draw a short trunk and a big bumpy treetop with a flat bottom.

Tip A few giant trees poke out above the canopy. They are called emergents.

Step 4: Three branches

Draw a long branch going left from the top trunk. Lower down draw 2 more branches going right.

Tip Each branch starts wide at its trunk and ends in a thin round tip.

Step 5: Macaw

On the top branch draw a parrot: a round head and long body, a big hooked beak pointing left.

Step 6: Wing, tail, eye

Draw a pointed wing and a long tail hanging under the branch. Add a round eye patch with a dot.

Step 7: Monkey's head

Above the right branch draw a round head with 2 ears, a heart-shaped face, 2 dot eyes and a smile.

Step 8: Monkey's body

Draw a round body sitting on the branch, 2 arms, 2 legs hanging down and a long curly tail.

Step 9: Snake

On the low left branch draw a long snake with its head up. Add an eye and a forked tongue.

Step 10: Frog

On the ground draw a frog: a round body, 2 big eyes on top, a smile and 2 bent legs.

Step 11: Light green, light brown

Colour the tallest treetop and the snake light green. Colour the ground and the monkey's face light brown.

Step 12: Red and blue

Colour the macaw red, and its wing blue. Leave its face patch and beak white.

Step 13: Dark green

Colour the canopy dark green around the monkey. Colour the frog dark green too. Leave its eyes white.

Step 14: Brown

Colour the trunks, the branches and the monkey brown. Your rainforest is done!