Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Dog (Shih Tzu)" 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 a circle near the top, left side of the paper as a guide for the shih tzu's head. First draw four small marks to indicate the height and width of the circle, then connect the marks using curved lines. Sketch lightly at first so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake. But the circle doesn't have to be perfect. It's just a guide. If you're having a hard time drawing the circle, trace the outer rim of a glass, a lid or any other object with a circular edge.

Step 2: Draw a curved horizontal line across the shih tzu's head. This construction line will help you place the dog's facial features later. Add a curved vertical line on the top left side of the head for another construction line.

Step 3: Draw a small circle on the lower left side of the head as a guide for the shih tzu's muzzle. The top edge of this circle should touch the construction line. It should fit snugly within the bottom half of the head. Pay attention to the size of this small circle in relation to the rest of the head.

Step 4: Add the guide for the dog's ear by first drawing two short, diagonal lines on the top, right side of the shih tzu's head. Then connect the two diagonal lines using a short horizontal line at the bottom.

Step 5: Draw a big circle under the head, on the right, as a guide for the front part of the dog's body. Draw this circle the same way as the head. First make four small marks for the height and width, then connect the marks using curved lines. The top, left part of this circle should be behind the head, so don't overlap the lines. Shih tzus have small bodies, so don't draw this circle too big. It should be just a bit bigger than the head.