How to Draw a Turtle

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The first step of how to draw a turtle will be in carefully observing this turtle drawing for a while.

See every possible detail you can notice. It may be the shape of flippers – both are in different motion or the scutes on the shell. See where the turtle turns its head.

Do not be scared because this drawing may look too complex. The following steps will clearly demonstrate the opposite.

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Draw a simple outline of the body contours. The simplest outline you can. Hold the pencil tilted so that the lines are wider (thicker) so you can cover inaccuracy.

See this body contour initial sketch! It is not exact at all and it is OK, I’ll correct it as we go. I am absolutely sure; you can make it even better for the first trial.

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Here I made some slight corrections. I enlarged the shell a bit, but only a very little. Now, the pen-shaped-eraser comes in handy to erase excessive pencil lines.

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By a weak pencil line, draw the outline of scutes – those are large, scale-like structures on top of the turtle’s shell.

Now, notice that at this stage you’ve already learned how to draw a turtle.

All the rest looks like filling up a coloring-like page with graphite pencil, but you have ready the most important basic outline contours.

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Similar to above, weak pencil lines draw the scales on the flippers (front limbs) and, scales on the head.

Notice, that I made a weak pencil line running through the center of the head, which shows where the turtle is facing or swimming.

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You can start to shade the scales on the flippers. Please leave a thin blank border-line among the scales. This small but important detail will give them a realistic look.

Important! When you’ll teach someone next time how to draw a turtle please mention this detail by all means.

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Continue shading the scales on both flippers and on the head. Also watch out, because not every scale is of the same darkness – especially on the head.

The skin on the neck is slightly rolled; there are no scales so that the turtle can turn the head as needed.

The best process is to shade all scales first by the same color tone (darkness) while leaving the white borders among scales. Then you can darken them as necessary; darker or lighter.

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It is time to put shade on the shell’s scutes (scale-like structures). Notice the pattern on each scute goes a certain direction. As if it would be drawn to a certain point.

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Make weak pencil guidelines of the direction of the pattern on every scute (see the picture). This will help and guide you while shading every scute.

Please shade it with short pencil strokes. It is easier and faster.

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Continue shading and filling up the pattern on every scute. I know it is a bit time-consuming but you will have a beautiful turtle drawing when you do it this way.

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Notice that some small irregular spots remain blank (light) on almost every scute. That is probably part of nature’s pattern.

At this stage, you should have a finished shell.

You do not need to sweat to make an exact copy of this turtle drawing, put your own creativity into it.

Remember you are not a scanner or camera, you are human and it is OK to make slight irregularities.

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Similarly, as you did on flippers, outline the scales on the rear legs by weak pencil lines. The process is the very same.

Do not forget to leave white border lines among the scales…because they are scales and they need to be properly distinguished.

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Great JOB! I believe your turtle drawing looks much better than mine.

Now, you know the very basic steps of how to draw a turtle. Using this simple technique you are now able to draw virtually any turtle you choose.

Always remember, the point is in detail! Work them out diligently if possible.