How to Draw Shrek: Simple 10-Step Guide for Kids

Bring everyone's favorite swamp-dwelling ogre to life! This tutorial is perfect for artists ages 5 and up. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and some paper to start building your own Shrek character.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished illustration of Shrek, the friendly ogre, ready for coloring.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sketching the Head Base

A light pencil sketch of a circle representing the base of Shrek's head on a white background.

Draw a light circle to serve as the foundation for Shrek's head. Teacher's Tip: Keep this circle about the size of a golf ball; drawing it lightly makes it much easier to erase your guidelines later.

Forming the First Ear

Drawing the first trumpet-shaped ear on the side of the head circle.

Extend two curved, parallel lines from the side of the circle and cap them with a small oval. Add a tiny oval inside for detail. Teacher's Tip: Shrek's ears are shaped like trumpets, so make sure they flare out slightly at the ends.

Adding the Second Ear

Adding the second trumpet-shaped ear to the opposite side of the head.

Connect the base of the first ear to the other side of the circle with a long, curved line to define the head shape. Repeat the ear-drawing process on the opposite side. Teacher's Tip: Symmetry is key here, so try to keep the ears at the same height.

Cleaning the Guidelines

The head outline after erasing the internal construction circle.

Carefully erase the original circle lines inside the head shape. Teacher's Tip: Use a soft, white eraser and brush away the crumbs so you don't smudge your graphite.

Defining Brows and Nose

Adding thick eyebrows and a large, rounded nose to the face.

Draw thick, curved lines for the eyebrows and a wide, rounded nose with shaded nostrils. Teacher's Tip: Shrek's nose is quite large and bulbous—don't be afraid to make it nice and wide!

Eyes and Mouth Details

Adding detailed eyes with pupils and a smiling mouth to the face.

Draw the eyes with multiple circles for pupils and add a gentle, smiling mouth. Teacher's Tip: Adding the eyelids gives Shrek his classic, slightly sleepy expression.

Drawing the Collar

Adding a textured collar to the base of the neck.

Sketch the collar of his tunic using small, connected, curved lines. Teacher's Tip: Keep these lines slightly irregular to give the fabric a natural, worn-in look.

Outlining the Vest

Outlining the shoulders and the vest structure.

Extend curved lines from the neck to form the shoulders and vest. Teacher's Tip: Use long, sweeping strokes to make the vest look like it fits comfortably.

Arms and Vest Details

Adding arms and the vest clasp detail to complete the outline.

Draw the arms and add the vest clasp using three rounded shapes. Teacher's Tip: The clasp is a key detail, so make sure it sits right in the center of the vest.

Coloring Your Ogre

The final colored drawing of Shrek featuring green skin and his signature brown vest.

Bring Shrek to life with color! Use a bright green for his skin, a warm cream for his shirt, and a rich brown for his vest. Teacher's Tip: Use light, circular motions when coloring to keep the texture smooth.