Animals · A drawing idea for little artists
How to draw a capybara: rounded muzzle and a petal collar
Build the head from a rounded block, let two small curved ears show above it, and attach a broad, blunt muzzle at the front.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 3 pictures show selected moments from the drawing. For every step in between and a guide on your canvas, get the full lesson in LittlePaper.
What you will learn
Practice this visual check: Keep the muzzle broad and rounded. Let the petals fan below the jaw and compare both feet against the same imagined baseline.
Shapes and proportions
Build the head from a rounded block, let two small curved ears show above it, and attach a broad, blunt muzzle at the front. Use a short oval eye, a tiny curved mouth and one round cheek. Spread a petal collar below the jaw, enclose the body with a wide curve, and add short arms and small feet. The blunt muzzle, short eye and tiny mouth curve give the capybara a calm expression.
A common mistake
A pointed muzzle or a collar squeezed into the face loses the relaxed, rounded character of the capybara.
How to fix it
Keep the muzzle broad and rounded. Let the petals fan below the jaw and compare both feet against the same imagined baseline.
These three images are key-stage previews: the starting shape, the completed outline, and a new crayon color study. Follow the complete drawing sequence in LittlePaper. On paper, leave room around the first shape for the parts added later.
Keep the muzzle broad and rounded.
A few things to start with
Paper, pencil or black drawing pen, eraser and crayons. Draw lightly while comparing the first shapes.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 3
Selected stages · The complete drawing sequence is in the app.
Shapes, character & color
A look at the drawing stages.
Try the shape tips below on paper. When you’re ready to draw along with each small step, continue in LittlePaper.
- 01Selected stage
Place the first shapes
Build the head from a rounded block, let two small curved ears show above it, and attach a broad, blunt muzzle at the front. Leave space for the parts that appear in the complete outline.
Place the first shapes · Preview image 1 of 3 - 02Selected stage
Connect the parts and compare their positions
Use a short oval eye, a tiny curved mouth and one round cheek. Spread a petal collar below the jaw, enclose the body with a wide curve, and add short arms and small feet. Keep the muzzle broad and rounded. Let the petals fan below the jaw and compare both feet against the same imagined baseline.
Connect the parts and compare their positions · Preview image 2 of 3 - 03Selected stage
Choose a consistent crayon palette
Use warm tan for the body, deeper brown for the muzzle, inner ears, hands and feet, golden yellow for the collar, coral pink for the cheek and charcoal for the eye. Apply light pressure so the contour stays readable.
Choose a consistent crayon palette · Preview image 3 of 3
A little practice goes a long way
Make room for your own ideas.
Keep the muzzle broad and rounded.
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “Capybara with a Petal Collar” drawing idea in LittlePaper for the complete sequence. Follow a guide, pause when you need, and add your own colors.
Download LittlePaper from the App Store, then open the drawing idea inside the app.
Every step, at your pace.
See the full drawing sequence. Pause, replay, and take another look whenever a shape needs practice.
A guide where you draw.
Trace on the canvas, then try your own lines with a finger or Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.
Make it yours. Keep the making.
Add crayon color, replay your creation, and give your picture a home in a digital 3D book.
