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How to Draw a Travois
Draw a travois in 14 easy steps, about 11 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: big soft head.
Step 1: Big soft head
On the left, halfway down, draw a big soft head, wider than tall, with round cheeks and a flat top.
Tip Leave lots of room on the right for the body and the travois.
Step 2: Soft flop ears
On the right corner draw a soft triangle ear hanging down. Draw a smaller ear peeking out on the left.
Tip The big ear hangs over the side of the head. Rub out the head line inside it.
Step 3: Big eyes
On the middle of the head, a little to the left, draw 2 big oval eyes with black dots.
Tip Leave a tiny white shine in each eye.
Step 4: Snout and smile
Under the left eye draw a snout poking past the head. From its black nose, draw down into a w.
Tip Rub out the head line inside the snout.
Step 5: Long back
Start behind the big ear. Draw a long back, curl round the bottom, stop below chin level.
Tip The line dips down the neck, then runs almost flat.
Step 6: Front leg
Draw a ground line. From under the chin, draw a leg down to a plump paw, then back up.
Tip The leg leans forward and gets thinner near the paw. Add 2 short toe lines.
Step 7: Tummy and back leg
From the front leg draw the tummy. Then a round thigh down to a paw and up to the bottom.
Tip The back leg bends just above the paw. Add 2 toe lines here too.
Step 8: Far legs
Under the tummy draw 2 more legs peeking out: one leaning back, one leaning forward.
Tip Only part of each far leg shows. Give each small paw 1 toe line.
Step 9: Thick tail
Start on top of the bottom. Draw a thick tail pointing up to a round tip, and back down.
Tip The tail points up, out of the way of the load.
Step 10: Harness and pole
Behind the front leg draw 2 lines from back to tummy. From them draw a long pole to the ground.
Tip The pole starts at the harness on the dog's shoulder. Rub out the leg line inside it.
Step 11: The bundle
On the pole behind the dog draw a fat bundle like a loaf. Tie it with 2 straps.
Tip Each strap is 2 lines from the top of the bundle down to the pole.
Step 12: Second pole
Draw a second pole just above the first, peeking out each side of the bundle, down to the ground.
Tip A travois is 2 long poles that drag behind an animal, carrying the load.
Step 13: Cream and tan
Go over your lines. Colour the snout and bundle cream. Colour the fur tan. Leave the eyes white.
Tip Colour around the harness, the poles and the 2 straps. They stay white for now.
Step 14: Brown and red
Colour both poles brown. Colour the harness and the 2 bundle straps red. Your travois is ready!
Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a travois, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
