In just a few steps, you'll learn how to draw this tiger using graphite pencils. All the tutorials on How2DrawAnimals.com are easy to follow and great for beginners and experienced artists alike. Get art basics while sketching your favorite animals step by step. Each free tutorial on this site has a video tutorial option, as well as step-by-step photos and written text to follow along with. Have fun drawing!

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To draw this Tiger step by step, follow along with the video tutorial below and pause the video after each step to go at your own pace. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step images below the video. The new lines in each step are shown in red, so you'll know exactly what to sketch next. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods. Take your time and create art at your own pace.

Materials You’ll Need

Before starting, gather these basic drawing supplies:

• Pencil (an HB lead pencil is best for light sketches)
• Eraser
• Black ink pen or marker
• Drawing paper

For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake.

Start with Simple Lines and Shapes

Step 1: Draw two circles as guides for the tiger's body. The circles don't have to be perfect. They're just guides.

Step 2: Draw a smaller circle above the left circle as a guide for the tiger's head.

Step 3: Inside the head, draw two intersecting lines that will help you place the tiger's facial features.

Step 4: Draw two small arcs for ears on top of the tiger's head.

Step 5: Draw a couple of lines that connect the circles to form the tiger's body.

Step 6: Draw a curved line on the right side for the tiger's tail.

Finish Up the "Skeleton"

Step 7: Draw four curved lines (two below each circle) as guides for the tiger's legs.

That's it for the initial sketch! From this point on, press harder with your pencil to get a more defined sketch.

Now Add Details

Step 8: Draw the tiger's eyes using the intersecting lines as guides for placement. The eyes are shaped like footballs with two circles inside each for the eyeball and pupil. Surround the eyes with a darker outline that comes to a point underneath.

Step 9: Draw the nose below the tiger's eyes. The nose resembles an upside-down triangle with shaded sides for the nostrils.

Step 10: Draw the upper part of the tiger's muzzle as a line below the nose that splits and curves up.

Step 11: Draw the tiger's lower jaw as a shaded shape with a curved line under it as the chin.

Step 12: Draw dots below the tiger's nose on the top part of the muzzle and draw quick, short strokes for the whiskers.

Step 13: Use quick, short strokes to represent fur and to give the ears more structure.

Step 14: Use quick, short strokes around the circle to draw the tiger's head.

Stay Patient and Keep Drawing

Step 15: Now for the fun part: Draw the tiger stripes! Draw them as thick, dark lines around the face. Draw a long, narrow shape and shade it in. Use symmetry when drawing the stripes. Whatever you draw on one side, try to do on the other. It's a good idea to have some reference when drawing the stripes for accuracy.

Step 16: Draw the tiger's front legs using the initial lines as guides. Draw the leg by surrounding the line using quick, short strokes to make it furry. Draw lightly at first. When you like what you have, go ahead and darken it.

Step 17: Draw the tiger's hind legs using the same technique. Surround the line by sketching lightly at first. Then darken it using quick, short strokes.

Step 18: Use the initial lines as guides to draw the rest of the tiger's body using quick, short strokes.

Now It's Time to Add Stripes and Shade

Step 19: Use the guide line to draw the tiger's tail.

Step 20: Draw stripes! To draw the tiger's stripes, just sketch in a pointy shape and shade it in. The stripes should wrap around the body. Keep in mind the overall body shape. Pause the video or use reference for accuracy in the placement of the stripes. Otherwise, just have fun and draw them where you want!

Step 21 (optional): For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing them all. The stripes make it hard to do that, so it's okay to leave some behind.

Final Step (optional): Add some shading to give your tiger drawing more dimension and volume. Pick the direction of the light source when shading so that the shadows are consistent with it. Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the tiger so it doesn't appear to be floating.

You can add more value throughout your tiger drawing for extra detail. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value.

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