Please PAUSE the "How to Draw an Alligator Snapping Turtle" 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 small circle near the right side of the paper as a guide for the alligator snapping turtle's head. First make four small marks to indicate the circle's height and width. Then connect the marks using curved lines. If you're struggling drawing the circle, trace the outer rim of a coin, a lid or any other object with a circular edge.

 

Step 2: On the top, right side of the head, draw a small arc as a guide for the top part of the open mouth. The arc should have a diagonal orientation. Pay attention to its size in relation to the head. On the lower, right side of the head, draw a slightly wider arc as a guide for the lower part of the turtle's open mouth.

 

Step 3: Draw a circle to the left of the head as a guide for the front part of the shell. Draw this circle the same way as the head. First make four small marks to indicate the circle's height and width. Then connect the marks using curved lines to finish the shape of the circle. This circle should be around twice the size of the turtle's head, and their edges should touch.

 

Step 4: To the left, draw another circle that's slightly bigger than the head as a guide for the back portion of the shell. Don't draw the shell circles too far apart, otherwise the alligator snapping turtle's body will be too long.

 

Step 5: Draw two short, curved lines that connect the turtle's head to the body to create the guide for the neck. Draw two long, curved lines that connect the body circles to finish the guide for the shell. The line at the top should curve more than the line at the bottom.

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Step 6: Under the body, draw four L-shaped lines as guides for the legs. Alligator snapping turtles have short legs, so don't draw these guides too long. Pay attention to their placement. On the lower, left side of the body, draw a curved line for the tail.

 

That's it for the guides! From this point on, press harder with your pencil for a more defined drawing.

 

Step 7: Lightly sketch a small circle on the top, right side of the first circle for the snapper's eye. When you get the size and placement right, darken the circle. Inside the eye, on the top, right side, draw a big dot for the pupil. Draw a series of triangle-like lines around the circle for the fleshy spikes that surround the eye.

 

Step 8: Use the small arc at the top of the head as a guide to draw the turtle's top jaw. First draw the nose using a series of short lines at the tip of the arc. Add a small dot for the nostril. Follow the path of the arc as you darken the lines but give the shape a spike at the tip. Extend the line at the bottom toward the inside of the head and make it wavy.

 

Step 9: Darken the lower edge of the other arc to define the shape of the bottom jaw. Add a curved line within the arc and stretch it upward so that it connects with the upper jaw. Follow the basic path of the initial guides to draw the right edge of the open mouth. As you darken the basic path of the guides, make the line wavier for a more organic feel. Use a series of spike-like shapes as you darken the lower edge of the initial circle for the turtle's rough skin.

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Step 10: Draw the alligator snapping turtle's tongue inside the mouth using a couple of curved lines. Inside the tongue, draw a thin, curvy shape for the small worm-like section that the turtle uses as a fish lure. Add a few more lines around the mouth for extra detail.

 

Step 11: Use the remaining shapes as guides to draw the rest of the turtle's head. Darken the outer edges of the initial guides to create the shape of the head. Inside the head, draw a few curved lines and spike- like shapes for the wrinkles and rough skin.

 

Step 12: Use the second line from the right as a guide to draw the turtle's front leg. Lightly sketch the shape of the leg around the guide using curved lines. The top of the leg should be inside the body. Make the shape of the leg thick. When you get the shape right, darken the lines. As you darken the shape of the leg, use a series of triangle-like lines along the way for the rough skin. The leg should be short and stubby. The big base of leg should curve in toward the body. At the tip of the turtle's foot, draw a series of curved pointy lines for the claws. Draw a few curved lines along the bottom edge of the leg for the wrinkles.

 

Step 13: Use the curved lines to the left of the head as guides to draw the snapper's thick neck. Darken the outer edges of the guides and use curved lines to create the deep creases on the neck. Use a series of triangle-like lines inside the shape of the neck for the spikes on the skin.

 

Step 14: Use the right-most line under the body as a guide to draw the other front leg the same way. Draw the shape of the leg around the guide. Make the leg thick and stubby. Add the turtle's claws along the bottom. They should be similar in shape to the letter V. Add a few curved lines within the shape of the leg for the wrinkles.

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Step 15: Add the front part of the turtle's shell by first lightly sketching a sloping line across the big initial circle. This line will be the bottom edge of the top shell. Draw it close to the front leg. When you get the slope and length of the line right, darken it. Draw short lines along the path of the sloping line. On the left end, draw an angled line similar to a less-than sign (<). Now draw a series of angled lines along the top for the spikes on the edge of the shell. Follow the path of the initial sloping line as you draw the triangle-like shapes for the edge of the shell. Don't draw too many of these big spikes. They should be big and clunky. The spikes closer to the bottom of the shell should be less pronounced.

 

Step 16: Continue to draw the lower edge of the turtle's top shell by using the initial lines and shapes as guides. Draw a series of short, angled lines along the inner edges of the guides at the bottom. The shape of the lines should be similar to less-than signs. Continue drawing the spikes on to the left side of the initial guides. Add a few lines to the top part of the ridge on the left side.

 

Step 17: Draw a few more angled lines along the middle for a second row of spikes. Don't draw these spikes all the way to the left; just along the middle. Above that row, draw a series of V-shaped lines for the base of the spikes in the next step. Under the row of spikes, draw a short, curved line for the shell's bottom plate. Pay attention to the placement of every line.

 

Step 18: Now draw big triangle- like lines along the top for the big spikes on the turtle's shell. The top point on these spikes should follow the path of the initial curved guide line. Don't draw too many of these spikes. Draw only a few big, clunky ones. More will be added in the next step. Add some lines in the middle too so that the lines are more pyramid-like. The lines should almost connect to the bottom edge.

 

Step 19: Draw another row of spikes at the top. Alligator snapping turtles have three rows, but only two are visible from this angle. Draw these spikes along the top edge of the initial curved guide line. Make the spikes wide. You can also make them a bit taller if you want a spikier effect. Add a line in the middle of each spike to make them pyramid-like. The right-most spike should meet the front section of the shell.

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Step 20: Use the angled line on the left, under the body, as a guide to draw the hind leg. Just like with the front legs, first lightly sketch the shape of the leg around the guide line. When you get the shape of the leg right, darken the lines. Add the small, V-shaped claws along the left edge of the turtle's foot.

 

Step 21: Draw the visible portion of the other hind leg under the middle section of the shell. Most of this leg will be hidden. Use the curved line on the right as a guide to draw the alligator snapping turtle's tail. Draw the shape of the tail around the guide. The base should be thick and the tip pointy.

 

Step 22: For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of the guides. The spikes can make that difficult to do. It's okay to leave some guides behind. Re-draw any final sketch lines you may have accidentally erased.

 

Final Step: Add some shading to your alligator snapping turtle drawing for extra detail. Use a dark value for the inside of the mouth. The lure on the tongue should be blank to emphasize it. The rest of the body should basically have a medium value. As you shade, add a few spikes on the skin using angled lines. Use a light value for the spikes to emphasize them. Use a dark value along the bottom of the body for shadows. Don't shade too smoothly. The rough value adds a bumpy, scaly texture.

Shading can be very time-consuming, so be patient and take breaks. As you shade the top part of the turtle's shell, use strokes that contour to the pyramid-like shape of each spike. Use a slightly darker value on one side of each spike to give them more dimension and volume. It's always a good idea to use reference when you draw. Don't forget to pause the video to draw to your own pace.

Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the turtle so it doesn't appear to be floating.

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