How to Draw an Opossum
Please PAUSE the "How to Draw an Opossum" video after each step to draw at your own pace.
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 guides for the opossum's body. The circles don't have to be perfect. They're just guides. The back portion of an opossum's body is usually a bit bigger than the front part, so make the circle on the left bigger. The edges of the two circles should touch. Leave enough room on either side for the opossum's head and tail.
Step 2: Draw a smaller circle on the right side as a guide for the opossum's head. The circles should get progressively smaller, and the end result should be similar to a snowman on its side.
Step 3: Draw two intersecting lines inside the opossum's head. These lines will help you place the opossum's facial features later on.
Step 4: Draw an arc on the right side of the opossum's head as a guide for the muzzle.
Step 5: Draw a short arc on the top left side of the head as a guide for the opossum's ears.
Step 6: Draw a series of curved lines that connect the major shapes and for the opossum's body. Add a long curved line on the left side as a guide for the tail.
Step 7: Draw four short, angled lines under the body as guides for the opossum's legs. Pay attention to where the lines bend. This indicates where the joints in the legs will be.
That's it for the initial sketch! From this point on, press harder with your pencil for a more defined sketch.
Step 8: Draw the eyeball as a small circle inside the head. Use the guide lines to help with the placement. Shade the inside of the shape except for a tiny circle to represent glare. Add a few more lines on the sides of the small circle to complete the shape of the eye. Opossums have relatively small eyes, so don't draw it too big.
Step 9: Draw the nose on the tip of the arc. The shape of the nose is triangle-like. Darken the tip then add the nostril and the top part using quick, short strokes.
Step 10: Use the arc as a guide to draw the top part of the opossum's muzzle. Follow the basic path of the arc but draw the top part a bit lower as a you darken the line. Use quick, short strokes to draw the mouth to represent fur. The line should stretch to the left inside of the head. Add the canine at the bottom.
Step 11: Use the initial arc as a guide to draw the bottom part of the opossum's muzzle. Follow the path of the arc as you darken the line for the lower jaw but make it shorter. Add the lower canine as a small arc and a couple of lines for the gums. Add a few more teeth using arcs that line the bottom part of the mouth along the gumline. For a simpler drawing, draw the mouth closed by simply adding a line under the mouth for the lower jaw.
Step 12: Use the small arc on the top as a guide to draw the opossum's ear. The shape of the ear should be pointier at the top, and the base should be inside the head. Add a few strokes at the bottom for the fur and curved lines inside the shape for the ear's structure. Add the ear on the other side of the head using a couple of curved lines.
Step 13: Use the remaining lines as guides to draw the rest of the opossum's head. Follow the path of the guides as you darken the lines and use quick, short strokes for a furry texture. Add some lines inside the head for extra detail. Draw a few dots in the muzzle and a few long strokes coming out of them for the whiskers.
Step 14: Use the lines on the right side of the opossum's body as a guide to draw the front legs. Use quick, short strokes as you go around the guide line and create the leg. Draw the foot and toes at the tip using a series of curved lines. Draw the front leg on the other side the same way. Use the line to the left as a guide.
Step 15: Use the lines on the left as a guide to draw the opossum's hind legs. Sketch the shape of the leg lightly at first as you follow the guide and then darken the lines when you get the structure right. Add the toes at the end using a series of curved lines. Use the other line as a guide to draw the hind leg on the other side. The top part of this leg will be hidden behind the body, so mainly draw the leg.
Step 16: Use the remaining shapes and lines as guides to draw the rest of the opossum's body. Use quick, short strokes as you follow the basic path of the guides to form the outline of the body. Use longer strokes on the bottom of the body for longer, shaggier fur.
Step 17: Use the line on the left side as a guide to draw the tail. Opossums' tails are rat-like and hairless, so don't use quick, short strokes here.
Step 18 (optional): For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of the guides. It's okay to leave some behind. Re-draw any final sketch lines that you may have accidentally erased.
Final Step (optional): Add some shading to your drawing to give it more dimension and volume. Pick the direction of the light source when shading so that the shadows are consistent with it. Don't worry too much about the shading if you're going to add more value to your drawing on step 21.
Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the opossum so it doesn't appear to be floating. Use a darker value near the middle of the shadow and a lighter value along the edge for the shadow's diffusion.
You can add more value throughout your drawing for more detail. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value. Shading can be quite time-consuming, so be patient and take breaks. Add the value by using strokes that go in the general direction of the fur. Don't worry about shading to smoothly. The rough value creates a furry texture. Opossums' legs are usually darker, so push harder with your pencil when you shade them. It's always a good idea to use reference for a more accurate drawing. Don't forget to pause the video after each step to draw at your own pace.
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