How to Draw a Tardigrade

Step 1: A chubby body

Start low on the left. Draw a big chubby hump, like a loaf of bread. Stop low on the right.

Tip A tardigrade is a tiny water bear: a soft chubby body with no neck and no tail.

Step 2: A stubby snout

Start on the front, half way up. Draw a short tube and stop on the body. Add a black mouth.

Tip Draw a curved rim inside the end of the tube. Rub out the body line inside it.

Step 3: Big eyes

Above the snout draw 2 big oval eyes with black dots. The left eye is a little thinner.

Tip Leave a tiny white shine in each eye.

Step 4: A small smile

Under the snout draw a small smile, like a little bowl.

Step 5: Body folds

Draw 3 curved lines hanging down from the back, each stopping a little past half way down.

Tip The folds make the body look soft and squishy.

Step 6: Front legs

Start under the chin. Draw a tummy, a stubby leg with 3 toe bumps, an arch, another leg. Stop there.

Tip The legs are short soft stumps, a little thinner at the toes.

Step 7: Back legs

Start where you stopped. Draw a third leg, an arch and a last leg. Stop at the body's end.

Tip All 4 legs stand straight, with an arch between each pair.

Step 8: Far legs

In front of each leg draw half a leg peeking out, with its own little foot. That makes 8 legs.

Tip Each far leg starts on the tummy line and stands a little higher on the moss.

Step 9: Mossy ground

Under the feet draw a long flat cushion of moss with a gently wavy top, behind every foot.

Step 10: Pink cheek

Behind the smile, colour a little oval cheek pink.

Step 11: Sand body

Colour the body, the snout and the 4 near legs sand, around the cheek. Leave the eyes white.

Step 12: Tan far legs

Colour the 4 far legs tan, so they look further away.

Step 13: Green moss

Colour the mossy ground green, around the feet. Go over your lines. Your tardigrade is done!