How to Draw a Tasmanian Devil: Easy 9-Step Guide

Ready to bring a feisty little marsupial to life? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5 and up, requiring only a pencil, paper, and an eraser. By following these simple shapes, you will master the proportions of a cartoon Tasmanian devil while practicing your steady hand control.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Colorful, finished cartoon Tasmanian devil illustration used as the featured tutorial image.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Snout and Head

Pencil sketch showing the initial outline of a Tasmanian devil's snout, eye, and nostril on white paper.

Begin by drawing the snout and head using a long, continuous curved line. Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the shape if needed. Add a small oval for the eye and a teardrop shape for the nostril to give your character personality immediately.

Step 2: Adding Ears and Jaw

Drawing showing the addition of rounded ears and a lower jaw with jagged fur texture lines.

Use curved lines to define the ears and the lower jaw. Tip: Use short, jagged strokes for the inside of the ears and the mouth area to mimic the look of messy, wild fur.

Step 3: Defining the Neck and Shoulders

Illustration showing the neck and shoulder area being connected with scruffy fur lines.

Draw a curved line for the shoulder and overlapping lines to connect the neck to the chest. Tip: Continue using those 'zig-zag' lines around the head to emphasize the Tasmanian devil's signature scruffy appearance.

Step 4: Sketching the Front Leg

Step-by-step drawing of a front leg with small claws and textured fur at the elbow.

Trace the foreleg using long, smooth curves, adding small, sharp triangles at the ends for claws. Tip: Don't forget to add a few extra jagged lines at the elbow to keep the fur texture consistent throughout the drawing.

Step 5: The Belly and Chest Mark

Drawing showing the belly curve and the characteristic white chest patch on the animal.

Draw a soft curve for the belly and a distinct, jagged-edged shape on the chest. Tip: This white chest patch is a classic feature of the Tasmanian devil, so make sure the edges look slightly uneven to represent natural fur patterns.

Step 6: Adding the Rear Leg

Drawing of the rear leg with claws and fur texture, showing proper anatomical placement.

Sketch the rear leg using overlapping curves to show depth. Tip: Draw the toes slightly larger than the front ones to create a sense of perspective, and remember to add those sharp claws!

Step 7: Shaping the Back

Illustration showing the long, smooth back line connecting the head to the rear leg.

Connect the head to the rear using a long, sweeping curved line for the back. Tip: Keep this line fluid to give your character a sense of movement and energy.

Step 8: Finalizing the Legs and Fur

Drawing showing the second rear leg and additional fur texture details on the back.

Draw the second rear leg, partially hidden behind the first. Tip: Add a few extra jagged lines on the back to suggest a lighter patch of fur, which adds great visual interest to your final piece.

Step 9: Adding the Tail

Final line art showing the completed Tasmanian devil with a bushy, textured tail.

Finish your outline by drawing a thick, furry tail using long curves and jagged edges. Tip: Make the tail look bushy by varying the length of your zig-zag lines as you move toward the tip.

Step 10: Bringing It to Life with Color

Fully colored cartoon Tasmanian devil with black fur, white chest patch, and pink ear details.

Time to color! Use deep blacks for the main body, a crisp white for the chest patch, and soft pinks for the inside of the ears. Tip: Use brown tones in the shadows to give your drawing a more professional, three-dimensional look.