Easy Steps To Draw A Snake: A Fun Guide For Beginners And Kids

Maia Kirlin 28 Aug 2025

Ever wanted to bring a slithering, captivating snake to life on paper? Well, you are in the right spot! Today, jack and I are learning how to draw a snake, a cobra snake, and we truly hope you have a lot of fun following along with us too. Drawing can seem a bit tricky at first, you know, but with the right guidance, anyone can create something amazing. This article will guide you through step-by-step instructions on how to draw a snake for beginners and kids, making it a very enjoyable experience for everyone.

There are nearly 3000 species of snakes everywhere in the world, and they can be any length from 4 inches up to 9 feet, which is pretty incredible, right? So, learning how to draw a snake means you are tapping into a huge, fascinating part of the animal kingdom. This tutorial, actually, is perfect for kids and beginners to create a fun, slithering design. You will get to master curved lines, scales, and realistic details in minutes, or so it feels!

Do you want to learn how to draw a snake from start to finish? We will take you through the basic elements to create a realistic snake drawing, including the coloring and shading process. With these easy snake drawing ideas, you can learn how to draw a snake in a very short time, and, like, really impress your friends or just yourself! So, let's get our pencils ready and begin this creative adventure.

Getting Started: What You'll Need to Draw Your Snake
Unraveling the World of Snakes: A Quick Look
Your Step-by-Step Guide: How to Draw a Snake in 13 Easy Stages
Top Tips for a Great Snake Drawing
More Snake Drawing Ideas to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions About Drawing Snakes

Getting Started: What You'll Need to Draw Your Snake

Before we jump into the fun part of learning how to draw a snake, it's a good idea to gather your supplies. You do not need anything super fancy, just some basic art tools that you probably already have around the house. So, for starters, you will want a pencil, any kind really, to sketch out your initial shapes. A good eraser is pretty important too, because, you know, we all make little adjustments as we go along, and that is totally fine.

Then, you will need some paper. Any drawing paper will work just fine, or even a plain sheet from a notebook, actually. If you plan on adding color, which we definitely recommend for bringing your snake to life, then you might want some colored pencils, crayons, or even markers. That is really all you need to begin this exciting drawing adventure. It's almost like a little treasure hunt for your art supplies, you know?

Having these simple items ready means you can focus completely on the steps and enjoy the process of creating your very own snake drawing. It is about having fun and seeing what you can make with just a few things, after all. So, get your stuff together, and let's get ready to draw some cool reptiles!

Unraveling the World of Snakes: A Quick Look

Before we even pick up our pencils to learn how to draw a snake, it's kind of cool to think about these amazing creatures for a moment. As I mentioned earlier, there are nearly 3000 different kinds of snakes all over the world. That is a truly huge number, right? They come in all sorts of sizes, too, from tiny little ones, just about 4 inches long, to really big ones that can stretch up to 9 feet. Imagine that variety!

This huge diversity means that when you are drawing a snake, you have so much freedom to choose what kind you want to create. You could draw a long, slender one, or a shorter, thicker one. You might even want to draw a cobra snake, like jack and I are doing today, with its distinctive hood. Knowing a little bit about them can, in a way, help you imagine your drawing better and make it more interesting, too.

Snakes are reptiles, and they are known for their scales and their unique way of moving, which is that slithering motion. They are pretty fascinating animals, and, you know, capturing that essence in a drawing is a really fun challenge. So, let's keep that in mind as we start to sketch our own fantastic snake designs!

Your Step-by-Step Guide: How to Draw a Snake in 13 Easy Stages

In this tutorial, easydrawforkids.com will show you how to break down the snake’s body into simple shapes. We will be teaching you how to draw a snake in 13 easy steps, which, for beginners and kids, is a pretty manageable number, I think. We are going to build our snake drawing piece by piece, so just take your time and follow along. It's really about enjoying the process and seeing your drawing come together.

Starting with the Head: A Simple Circle

To draw a snake, you start by making a circle for the head. This is, you know, your very first step and it does not have to be a perfect circle at all. Just a light, loose circle will do the trick. This circle acts as the foundation for where your snake's head will eventually be. It is just a guide, so do not press too hard with your pencil. You can always refine it later, which is pretty cool.

Crafting the Body's Framework: The Curved Path

Next, draw a curved shape that overlaps the circle a little at the right to be a framework for the body. This line is, basically, the path your snake will follow. Think about how a snake slithers; it is all about those beautiful, flowing curves. So, make your line wavy and graceful. This curved line is going to be the backbone, so to speak, of your snake's entire body, you know.

Adding the Body's Fullness

Now that you have the basic curve, you will want to add some thickness to your snake's body. You do this by drawing another curved line, more or less parallel to your first one, following the same wavy path. This second line will create the other side of your snake's body. Remember, snakes are not just lines; they have volume, so, you know, give it some width. You are starting to see the snake take shape now, which is pretty exciting!

Defining the Head Shape and Features

With the body framework in place, it's time to refine that initial circle for the head. You can, like, gently shape it to be more like an actual snake's head, which is often a bit more triangular or oval, depending on the species. For a cobra, you might want to add a slight bulge on either side to suggest its hood, which is rather distinct. This is where your snake starts to get its own unique personality, you know.

Drawing the Eyes and Mouth

Now, let's give your snake some eyes! Snakes typically have small, keen eyes, often with a slit pupil, though some have round pupils. Just draw two small circles or ovals on the head, and then add a dot or a line for the pupil. For the mouth, a simple curved line starting from near the front of the head and extending back a little will work. You can, like, make it a bit more detailed if you want to show a slight smile or a more serious expression, actually.

Giving Your Snake Its Unique Pattern

Snakes are known for their amazing patterns! This is where you can really get creative. You can draw spots, stripes, diamond shapes, or even a mix of patterns along your snake's body. Just follow the curve of the body as you draw these patterns. This step really makes your snake drawing stand out and gives it, like, a lot of character. It's kind of like dressing your snake up in its own special outfit, you know.

Adding Scales

Scales are a big part of what makes a snake look like a snake. You do not have to draw every single scale, but adding some small, overlapping "U" or "V" shapes along the body can really give the impression of scales. Focus on the edges of the body and maybe a few in the middle. This detail, actually, adds a lot of texture and realism to your drawing, which is pretty cool, I think.

Learning Different Poses: Slithering and Striking

One of the cool things about learning how to draw a snake is that you can draw them in different ways. You can learn how to draw a snake in two different poses: a snake slithering and a snake striking. For a slithering pose, you would emphasize those wavy body lines, showing it moving gracefully along the ground. For a striking pose, you might have the front part of the body coiled up and then rearing back, ready to lunge forward. This really adds some dynamic energy to your drawing, you know.

Bringing Your Snake to Life with Color and Shading

Once your outline and patterns are done, it is time for coloring and shading! This process really makes your snake pop off the page. Choose colors that you like, or look up pictures of real snakes for inspiration. You can use different shades of green, brown, yellow, or even bright, vibrant colors for a more fantastical snake. Shading involves adding darker tones in areas that would naturally be in shadow, like under the curves of the body or around the eyes. This, basically, gives your snake drawing a three-dimensional look, which is pretty neat.

Top Tips for a Great Snake Drawing

Drawing a great snake is about more than just following steps; it is also about a few helpful little tricks, you know. First off, always start with light pencil lines. This makes it so much easier to erase mistakes or adjust shapes without leaving messy marks. It is, like, a really important habit to get into for any drawing, actually.

Secondly, do not be afraid to experiment with different curves for the body. Snakes are very flexible, so their body can take on countless interesting shapes. Try drawing a snake coiled up, or maybe one wrapped around a branch. The more you experiment, the more comfortable you will get with drawing those fluid, natural-looking lines, which is pretty cool.

Thirdly, pay a little attention to the details, but do not get bogged down by them. Things like the tongue, the fangs (if you are drawing a venomous snake), or even the texture of the ground around your snake can add a lot to the overall picture. These small additions can really bring your drawing to life, you know. And remember, practice truly makes a difference, so just keep drawing!

Finally, remember that every artist has their own style. Your snake might look a bit different from mine, or from Jack's, and that is totally okay. In fact, that is what makes art so special. So, have fun with it, let your creativity flow, and enjoy the process of learning how to draw a snake your own way. You might be surprised at what you create, actually.

More Snake Drawing Ideas to Explore

Once you have mastered the basics of how to draw a snake, there are so many other fun things you can try. We focused on a cobra snake today, but there are, like, so many other types of snakes out there with their own unique looks. You could try drawing a rattlesnake with its distinctive tail, or maybe a boa constrictor, which is pretty muscular, you know.

You could also experiment with different environments for your snakes. Imagine drawing a snake in a jungle, slithering through dense foliage, or maybe one basking on a warm rock in the desert. Adding a background can really tell a story with your drawing and make it much more interesting. It's almost like creating a little scene for your snake to live in, actually.

Another idea is to try drawing snakes with different expressions. While snakes might not show emotions like humans do, you can use their eye shape or mouth position to give them a certain feel in your drawing. A slightly open mouth with fangs can look fierce, while a more relaxed pose might appear calm. So, keep exploring and see what amazing snake drawings you can come up with!

Remember, Kids and beginners alike can now draw a great snake. With this easy snake drawing ideas, you can learn how to draw a snake in a very short time. You can learn more about drawing various animals on our site, and also check out our latest drawing tutorials for more inspiration. So, keep those pencils moving!

Frequently Asked Questions About Drawing Snakes

How do you draw a simple snake?

To draw a really simple snake, you just start with a circle for the head, you know. Then, you draw a long, curved line extending from the head for the body, making it as wavy as you like. After that, you draw another curved line parallel to the first one to give the body some thickness. You can then add two dots for eyes and a little curved line for the mouth. It's, like, pretty straightforward, actually!

What are the basic shapes to draw a snake?

The basic shapes for drawing a snake are pretty simple, which is great for beginners. You typically start with a circle for the head. Then, you use long, flowing curved lines to create the framework for the body. These curves are really the key to getting that slithering look. From there, you just add more curved lines to give the body its width and form. It's all about circles and curves, basically.

How do you draw a snake for kids?

Drawing a snake for kids is all about keeping it fun and easy! You would definitely start with simple shapes, like a circle for the head and big, wavy lines for the body. You can make the eyes large and friendly, and maybe even give the snake a little smile. For patterns, let them draw any shapes they like – spots, stripes, or zigzags. The goal is to make it a creative and enjoyable experience, so, you know, there is no pressure for perfection. It's really just about having a good time making art! For more ideas on how to draw a snake in a kid-friendly way, you could check out Art for Kids Hub, they have some great resources.

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