
Watch it draw itself · tap to replay
How to Draw a Tiger Beetle
Draw a tiger beetle in 13 steps, about 10 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: the head.
Step 1: The head
Above the middle draw a wide dome for the head, with a flat bottom.
Step 2: Two long feelers
Start near the top of the head. Draw a long feeler out to a tiny ball. Do both sides.
Tip The stalk stops when it touches the ball.
Step 3: Two big eyes
In the middle of the head draw 2 big egg eyes. Add a black dot and a shine in each.
Step 4: Smile and cheeks
Under the eyes draw a wide open smile, like a flat-topped U. Add a round cheek beside each corner.
Step 5: Two curved jaws
Start on the chin under each end of the smile. Draw a short jaw down, its point curving in.
Step 6: A long slim shell
Start on the chin by the left cheek. Draw a long slim shell down and stop by the right cheek.
Step 7: Shell lines
Under the jaws draw a curved line across the shell. From its middle draw a line down to the bottom.
Step 8: Cream spots
On each half of the shell draw 3 little ovals going down.
Step 9: Front and middle legs
On each side of the shell draw 2 long legs, out to a knee, then thinner to a pointed foot.
Tip Tiger beetles are the fastest running insects, so their legs are long.
Step 10: Long back legs
Low on each side of the shell draw the last long leg, out and down to a pointed foot.
Step 11: Cream spots, red mouth
Colour the 6 spots cream and the mouth red. Leave the eyes white.
Step 12: Ginger legs and jaws
Colour the 6 legs, the 2 jaws and the feeler balls ginger. Colour the cheeks pink.
Step 13: Green shell, teal head
Colour the shell green around the spots and jaws. Colour the head teal around the eyes, mouth and cheeks.

Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a tiger beetle, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
