How to Draw a Horse

This is a tutorial on how to draw three different kinds of horses. So grab some paper, a pencil, some colored pencils, and let's get started!

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

A Realistic Horse (Head)

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    1
    Draw two circles that follows a slanted direction. The one below should be smaller than the circle on top. Connect these circles using a rectangle.
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    2
    Draw a curved line that also connects the two circles on one side. Sketch the horse's neck.
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    3
    Add the ears on the upper portion of the head.
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    4
    Using the shapes you had drawn, sketch the face of the horse.
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    5
    Add the eyes using almond shapes and the nose.
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    6
    Draw the horse's hair using random curved strokes.
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    7
    For a more detailed look, sketch soft very short strokes on some areas of the face that is most likely darkened with shadow.
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    8
    Erase unnecessary lines.
    • You can use the Tombow mono eraser.
    • It helps to erase precisely.
    • You can even use it to create texture or effects by erasing areas with a particular stroke.
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    9
    Color the drawing.
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    10
    Finished.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

A Galloping Horse

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    1
    Draw an oval for the head.
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    2
    Draw a curve on the left side of the oval for the mouth area.
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    3
    Draw another oval for the middle section of the body.
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    4
    Draw two circles on both sides of the oval to complete the body outline.
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    5
    Draw curves connecting the body and the head, also add curves on top of the head for the ears.
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    6
    Draw four elongated ovals for the legs.
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    7
    Draw four sets of circles attached to rectangles for the feet, add ovals for the hooves.
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    8
    Draw curvy lines for the mane and tail of the horse.
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    Based on the outline, draw the horse.
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    Erase the unnecessary outlines.
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    Color your horse!
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

A Cartoon Horse

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    1
    Draw a big circle with a cross inside. On the lower part of the big circle, draw an oval-like circle that is smaller in size.
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    2
    Draw a diamond shape that is slanted sideways on each side of the upper portion of the big circle.
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    3
    Draw a large oblong that is slightly perpendicular to the big circle.
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    4
    Add four limbs attached to the oblong to make an outline of the horse's body.
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    5
    Draw the tail on the rear part of the horse.
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    6
    Add the horse's hair using soft curved lines.
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    7
    Add the eyes, nose and mouth using the cross inside the big circle as guide for proper positioning of parts.
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    8
    Draw two curved lines connected to the small circle to make the nose look like it protrudes.
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    Darken the outline of the body and add details to the horse's feet.
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    Erase unnecessary lines.
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    Color the drawing.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

A Rearing Horse

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    1
    Draw an oval for the head.
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    2
    Draw another oval for the snout. Remember to leave space for the nose holes.
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    3
    Draw the ears and mouth.
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    4
    Draw a big oval for the body and this is the largest section of the body. You must draw it bigger than the rest of the circles
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    5
    Draw two curved lines for the neck.
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    6
    Draw two ovals attached to curved trapezoids for the frontal feet and add curves below the feet for the hooves.
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    7
    Draw two circles for the thighs.
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    8
    Draw two lines attached to trapezoids for the rear feet and add curves below the feet for the hooves
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    9
    Draw curvy lines for the mane and tail of the horse.
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    10
    Based on the outline, draw the horse.
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    11
    Erase the unnecessary outlines.
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    12
    Color your horse!
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I draw the mane on a horse?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Draw curved lines to create the effect of overlapping hairs and press harder on the pencil for some of these to shade in.
  • Question
    How do I draw horse hooves?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    First, draw a rectangle with soft corners. Then, add a slant to the front and color it in.
  • Question
    Can you give me some tips on how to do the body?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Do a slight downward curve for the back (that's the spine), and add muscles to the legs. Make sure the belly is round.
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Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Eraser
  • Colored pencils, crayons, markers, or watercolors


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About This Article

Veronica Winters
Co-authored by:
Veronica Winters
Figurative Artist
This article was co-authored by Veronica Winters. Veronica Winters is a Figurative Artist who owns an online art gallery and studio in Naples, Florida. With over 20 years of experience, Veronica specializes in surreal figurative oil paintings and colored pencil drawings. In 2022, she won the Award for Distinction at the 30th Annual Colored Pencil Society of America International Exhibition. Veronica is also a published author of two art books: How to Color Like an Artist and The Colored Pencil Manual. She received her BFA in Studio Art at Oklahoma State University and her MFA in Painting at Pennsylvania State University. Veronica also studied classical drawing at the Grand Central Academy of Art and the Art Students League of New York. This article has been viewed 731,986 times.
1 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 97
Updated: March 21, 2023
Views: 731,986
Categories: Featured Articles | Drawing Animals
Article SummaryX

To draw a cartoon horse, draw a large circle divided into 4 parts by a cross. On the lower part of the big circle, draw a smaller horizontal oval. Draw 2 slanted diamonds on top of the head to make the ears, then draw a large oblong shape for the body and add 4 rectangular legs. Use softly-curved lines to make the horse’s mane and tail, then draw the eyes, nostrils, and mouth. Add 2 concave lines above the small oval to make the nose look like it protrudes. Darken the outline of the body and erase the guide lines to finish your drawing. If you want to learn how to draw a realistic horse, keep reading the article!

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