How to Draw a Hippopotamus
Before you know it, you can be sketching a hippo in no time! Drawing a hippopotamus isn’t as hard as it might seem. All you need is a few basic tools, some time and patience, and you can have your very own hippo masterpiece in no time. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced artist, these tips will help you draw a hippo that will make jaws drop.
Start by sketching the basic outline of the hippo. It’s easy to get stuck on the details and forget that it’s important to focus on the overall shape first. Sketch a round body with four somewhat stocky legs, and then create an oval shape for the head. Make sure that the leg’s curves are smooth and that the limbs taper off to a point. Then draw a wide tail, slightly curved up at the end.
Now start drawing the details that define the hippo. Start with the eyes and a strong brow line above them to emphasize expression. The eyes should be placed quite close together, sitting just a little above the midpoint of the forehead. Draw two big nostrils, slightly diagonal, between the eyes. Then draw the ears, taking care to keep the lines smooth and classic. Remember, hippos are known for their big round ears, so make them prominent.
Next, draw the mouth. Typically hippos have really big mouths with thick lips that look like they’re upturned in a smile. Make sure you draw them wider on the edges of the mouth than in the middle. Then, draw the jagged teeth inside the mouth and whiskers on the cheeks. Finally, draw the lines around the face to show the wrinkles and cracking in the skin.
It’s time to give your hippo some fur. Draw stripes of fur along the legs and body and swirls of fur on the back. The fur of a hippo will usually vary in color, so feel free to add variation in the tone of your lines. Don’t worry if it looks a bit messy – this is exactly how a hippo fur should look!
Finally, add in details like the mane and tail to give your hippo some extra pizzazz. For the mane, draw curved lines further along the brow and cheek bones and around the haunches. For the tail, draw a wispy tail like a furry question mark at the end.
Shading and Finishing Touches
Now that you’ve sketched out the basics, it’s time to finish up your hippo. Any drawing looks better with a little shading, so pull out the charcoal pencils and start adding some depth. You can also use the pencils to give your hippo some texture and make the fur look a little more realistic. Finally, add some finishing touches like a playful expression and some playful shading around the edges.
Final Touches
The last step to making your hippo look professional is to take a step back and look at all your hard work with a fresh perspective. Is there anything that can be added to make the hippo more interesting? Perhaps a small detail that you hadn’t noticed before? With the right final touches, you can make your hippo look even more magnificent.
Relax and Enjoy
Finally, relax and admire your work. Drawing a hippo isn’t easy, and you should be proud of yourself for making your very own hippo masterpiece. Take a few moments to reflect on the progress you’ve made and appreciate your handiwork. Your hippo might even make a few others smile!
