Use the step-by-step instructions below to learn how to draw a horse. Follow along with the video, or use the images in this article. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a completed drawing of this majestic animal!

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To draw this horse 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. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods.

Materials You'll Need Before starting, gather these basic drawing supplies from Blick Art Materials. If you choose to purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Pencils (an HB lead pencil is best for light sketches)	Kneaded Eraser	Drawing Paper

Step 1: Create the Initial Pencil Sketch

Start by drawing a circle as a guide for the front part of the body. An easy way to draw a circle is to first make a couple of small marks to indicate the circle's height, then a couple more for the width. Connect the marks using curved lines. To the right, draw another circle of roughly the same size as a guide for the back portion of the body. Sketch lightly at first so it is easy to erase any mistakes.

At the top, draw another circle about 1/3 the size of the first, which will be the guide for the head. Inside the head circle, draw a curved horizontal line for a construction guide and a long vertical line close to the left edge that extends down below the circle. At the bottom of this vertical guide, make a small mark and connect it to the circle to create the muzzle guide. Finally, draw two small triangular shapes on top of the head for the ears.

Next, draw the structural lines to form the foundation of the horse's body. Under the front of the body, draw a long angled line that slopes down and to the left, bending to indicate joints. To the left, draw a shorter angled line for the other front leg. Under the back portion, draw a long angled line for a hind leg, bending it near the middle for the joint. To the left, draw another angled line for the second hind leg. Connect the head to the body using curved lines. On the right side, draw a long wavy line as a guide for the tail, curving the tip upward.

Step 2: Draw the Facial Features

With the guidelines in place, begin adding details. Inside the head, lightly sketch a small circle for the eye above the horizontal guide. Once positioned, add an eyelid, a pupil, and a thick brow. Use the triangular shapes at the top of the head to define the ears. Focus on the muzzle by drawing the nostrils. Use curved lines to represent the opening and outer edges. Create the mouth by drawing a curved line following the shape of your muzzle guide, adding a small curve on the bottom right for the lower lip.

Step 3: Add the Front Legs

Use your angled limb guides to sketch the front legs. Make the top of the legs wide and gradually thinner toward the bottom. Use small square-like shapes at the base to define the hooves. As you darken your lines, curve them to suggest muscle structure, adding circular shapes at the joints.

Step 4: Complete the Back Legs and Body

Using the same method as the front legs, outline the hind legs with wide tops tapering down to the square-like hooves at the bottom. Once the legs are defined, darken the outer edges of the body guides to complete the main frame. Draw the top edge of the back and the underside of the body using long curved lines to enhance the musculature.

Step 5: Draw the Mane and Tail

Sketch the front of the mane as a large, curved shape near the ears. Then, draw the rest of the mane along the right side of the neck by creating a series of curved lines that follow the slope. Use the wavy tail guide to draw a series of curved lines to create the overall shape of the tail. These lines should go in different directions with pointy tips to suggest hair moving in the wind.

Step 6: Erase Guidelines and Clean Up Your Sketch

Carefully erase the initial guidelines you drew in the first step. Redraw and refine any of the final lines that may have been accidentally lightened or erased to make sure your figure is clean and bold.

Step 7: Begin Shading

Now it's time to shade your drawing. You can shade however you'd like, but for this look, use a medium value across the body. Shade lightly at first and gradually build up to darker values. Leave a thin section blank on the front of the head for a stripe, and leave a few other thin sections blank to create highlights on the shiny coat.

Step 8: Finish Shading and Add Some Grass Details

Add shadows across the body using a darker pencil value to give the figure dimension and volume. Use this darker value to shade the mane and tail as well, keeping a few thin highlights blank. To ground the horse, add a series of short vertical lines at the base of the hooves to create a grass-like texture.

Go over your final lines one last time to emphasize the shapes. Continue shading until you are entirely happy with the contrast, texture, and overall result of your drawing. Great job completing your horse!

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