Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Cheetah Running" video after each step to draw at your own pace.

Time-Lapse (Speed Drawing) video:

Written step-by-step video tutorial:

For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.

Step 1: Draw two circles as a guide for the first part of the cheetah's body. First draw four small marks for the height and width of the circle, then connect the marks using curved lines. The circles don't have to be perfect. They're just guides. If you do want a perfect circle, trace the outer rim of a coin, bottle cap or anything else circular.

Cheetahs stretch out when they run, so place the second circle far away from the first one to make the body long. The second circle should also be smaller than the first. Leave enough room on the sides and bottom for the head and feet.

Step 2: Draw another circle on the left side as a guide for the cheetah's head. This circle should be smaller. Draw it about one-third the size of the first circle. Don't place it too far away from the first circle, otherwise the cheetah's neck will be too long.

Step 3: Draw an angled line on the left side of the head as a guide for the cheetah's muzzle. The left side of the shape of the muzzle shouldn't stick out too much. It should be pretty flat.

Step 4: Draw a small arc on top of the cheetah's head as a guide for the ear. Add a curved line to the left of the arc for the ear on the other side.

Step 5: Draw two angled lines (one under each circle) as guides for the legs that are on this side of the body. The line on the left side should be similar to the letter Z on its side. The line on the right side should angle once as it comes out of the circle, then stretch back pretty straight. Cheetahs have long limbs, so draw these guides long too.