How to Draw a Cicada: Easy 9-Step Guide for Kids

Capture the buzzing energy of summer by drawing your own cicada! This tutorial is designed for young artists ages 6+ and requires only a pencil, paper, and an eraser. Follow along to master insect anatomy while building confidence in your sketching skills.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A finished, colorful cicada drawing resting on a branch, perfect for nature-themed art projects.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Eye

Close-up sketch of a cicada's large, oval-shaped eye with a dark pupil.

Start by drawing a medium-sized oval for the head, then add a smaller, shaded oval inside to create the eye. Teacher's Tip: Keep the eye shape slightly irregular to make your insect look more natural and less like a machine.

Step 2: Adding the Second Eye and First Leg

Sketch showing the second eye and the beginning of the cicada's front leg structure.

Draw a partial oval on the opposite side of the head for the second eye. Next, sketch a series of small, overlapping rounded shapes to form the first leg. Teacher's Tip: Think of the leg segments like a stack of beads; keep them connected with smooth, curved lines.

Step 3: Defining the Feet

Detailed view of the cicada's segmented legs ending in sharp, V-shaped feet.

Extend two curved lines from the leg segments and join them with a sharp 'V' shape to create the foot. Repeat this process below the first leg to start the second one. Teacher's Tip: Use a light touch; cicada legs are delicate, so avoid pressing too hard with your pencil.

Step 4: Sketching the Wing and Body

Outline of the cicada's large, triangular wing and main body segments.

Draw a large, elongated triangle shape for the wing, using a scalloped line to close the end. Sketch the thorax and abdomen above the wing. Teacher's Tip: The wing should look slightly transparent, so keep the outline clean and simple.

Step 5: Adding Wing Veins

Close-up of the wing showing the intricate, vein-like patterns drawn with curved lines.

Add detail to the wing by drawing pairs of curved lines that meet at points to represent veins. Teacher's Tip: Cicada wings have a complex, glass-like network of veins. Don't worry about making them perfect; just aim for a repeating pattern.

Step 6: Drawing the Abdomen and Third Leg

Drawing the lower body segments and the final leg of the cicada.

Sketch the abdomen visible beneath the wing using curved lines that taper to a point. Add the third leg using the same segmented technique from earlier. Teacher's Tip: Ensure the abdomen looks like it is tucked slightly behind the wing to create depth.

Step 7: Finalizing Details and Antennae

Adding fine details like antennae and secondary wing veins to the cicada sketch.

Add smaller veins to the wing, texture the head, and draw two small antennae extending upward. Start the fourth leg. Teacher's Tip: Antennae are very thin; use a sharp pencil point to keep them looking delicate.

Step 8: Adding the Branch

The cicada perched on a tree branch, showing the full body and leg placement.

Finish the leg segments and draw a sturdy tree branch for your cicada to rest on. Teacher's Tip: Use rough, jagged lines for the branch to give it a realistic, woody texture compared to the smooth insect.

Step 9: Adding Leaves

Finalizing the drawing by adding leaves to the branch background.

Complete your scene by drawing heart-shaped leaves around the branch. Teacher's Tip: Add a center vein to each leaf to make them look more three-dimensional.

Step 10: Bring It to Life with Color

A fully colored, vibrant cartoon cicada drawing on a branch.

Time to color! Use earthy tones like brown, black, or olive green for the body, and bright orange for the eyes. Teacher's Tip: Leave the wing areas slightly lighter or use a light blue to suggest transparency.