How to Draw a Saurolophus: Easy 9-Step Dinosaur Guide

Ready to bring a prehistoric herbivore to life? This tutorial is perfect for young dinosaur enthusiasts ages 7+ looking to practice their sketching skills. You’ll only need a pencil, an eraser, and some paper to master this iconic crested dinosaur.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Head and Eye

Pencil sketch showing the initial snout outline and eye placement for a Saurolophus dinosaur drawing.

Start by sketching the dinosaur’s snout with a curved line that loops back on itself. Add a small oval for the eye and shade in the pupil. Tip: Keep the eye near the top of the snout to give your dinosaur a friendly, alert expression.

Step 2: Defining the Crest and Jaw

Drawing the triangular head crest and jawline of the Saurolophus.

Draw the signature triangular crest on top of the head using a curved, folded line. Add the nostril and the lower jaw line. Tip: The crest is the most recognizable part of the Saurolophus, so make sure it stands out clearly against the head shape.

Step 3: Neck and Front Arm

Adding the neck curve and the first front limb with a claw detail.

Sketch the back of the head, the neck, and the chest. Add the first forearm with an oval-shaped claw. Tip: Use smooth, flowing lines for the neck to make the dinosaur look natural and graceful.

Step 4: Fingers and Rear Leg

Detailing the front fingers and beginning the rear leg structure.

Complete the fingers on the front arm with small oval claws. Then, sketch the belly and the start of the rear leg. Tip: When drawing claws, keep them rounded rather than sharp to maintain a friendly, cartoon-style aesthetic.

Step 5: Rear Foot and Second Arm

Adding the rear foot details and starting the second front arm.

Finish the rear foot using rounded triangles for the toes. Start sketching the second forearm extending from the chest. Tip: Ensure the foot looks sturdy, as Saurolophus was a large animal that walked on its hind legs.

Step 6: Finishing the Limbs

Completing the second hand and the second rear leg.

Draw the hand of the second arm and complete the second rear leg. Tip: Use overlapping lines to show depth, making the legs look like they are positioned one behind the other.

Step 7: Finalizing the Feet

Adding the final claw details to the rear foot.

Add the remaining claws to the second rear foot. Tip: Check that your claws are consistent in size across all four limbs for a balanced look.

Step 8: The Back and Tail

Drawing the long, tapering tail and the back of the Saurolophus.

Connect the neck line to the back and draw the long, tapering tail. Tip: Make the tail thick at the base and thin at the tip to give the dinosaur a sense of movement.

Step 9: Adding Muscle Contours

Adding muscle and skin contour lines to the dinosaur's body.

Add subtle curved lines along the body to show muscle definition and skin folds. Tip: Don't overdo it—a few well-placed lines are enough to give your dinosaur a realistic, three-dimensional feel.

Step 10: Bring Your Dinosaur to Life with Color

A fully colored, friendly-looking cartoon Saurolophus dinosaur.

Now for the fun part! Use your favorite colors to fill in your Saurolophus. We chose earthy browns, but you can get creative—maybe your dinosaur has green spots or stripes! Tip: Use light pressure for a soft look or heavy pressure for bold, vibrant colors.