Want to try animal sketching? Check out this collection of drawing ideas to inspire your next artwork. Pick an idea and put your own spin on it by changing up the medium, colours, linework, and more!

White dog drawing

Learn how to draw realistic white fur by following our video tutorial featuring a fluffy white pup! The lifelike colours and soft blending techniques make this a must-try for anyone wanting to master realistic fur textures. Grab your coloured pencils or pastels and follow along to make your own furry masterpiece.

Realistic cat drawing

Image: @arnd.sketch

This close-up cat portrait uses fine lines and dots to create depth and texture. The wide, glistening eyes and intricate fur details bring life to the drawing. If you love getting stuck into details, try a monochromatic animal sketch with fineliners or pencils to build up layers of texture.

Horse drawing tutorial

This dynamic graphite drawing of a horse mid-gallop is full of movement and tension. The soft shading used to create the dust adds to the sense of movement, making the scene feel alive. It’s an inspiring example for anyone looking to combine energy and subtle details in their sketches. Check out the tutorial video to see how we did it!

Cockatoo drawing

This realistic black cockatoo, drawn with the crosshatching shading technique, shows just how much texture and depth you can achieve with fineliners. The intricate linework captures the feeling of the bird’s smooth and fluffed feathers. It’s a great technique to try if you love working with pens, so check out the project video for a step-by-step breakdown.

How to draw a tiger

If you like markers or want to get into them, try out this tiger drawing! We created this using our alcohol art markers, which blend and layer seamlessly. Markers are great for achieving rich, vibrant tones and precise detail, with easy handheld control. Follow along with the tutorial video above for instructions!

Orangutan drawing

Image: @morgangrice97

Keeps things bold and punchy with bright colours and minimal outlines. These dynamic orangutan studies are brimming with life and personality! The bold orange tones paired with loose, playful lines bring their swinging movements to life. Capture the energy of your favourite animals with a similar approach!

Dog sketch

This pencil sketch of a dog is simple yet full of personality. The stylisation of the facial features gives the dog an endearing quality – you can’t help but want to give them a pat!  With step-by-step video instructions, you can follow along and bring your own furry friend to life on paper.

Mother cat and kitten drawing

Image: @arnd.sketch

This creative artwork puts a unique spin on drawing kittens, with one snuggled safely inside its mother’s belly. The delicate hearts and circular framing make this window into the kitten’s cosy life extra special. Why not try incorporating narrative elements like this into your own animal drawings? It’s a heartfelt way to tell a story through art!

Pastel frog

This vibrant pastel drawing of a frog on a lily pad really shows the colour payoff you can get with Extra Soft Oil Pastels. They have a buttery texture for easy blending and are great for capturing the true green shade of this little froggy. Check out the project video to see the steps we took to bring this artwork to life.

How to draw an elephant

This drawing uses loose linework and a burst of rainbow colours to capture a wise elephant. It’s a fun and creative approach to drawing animals that breaks free from traditional styles and colouring. Let loose and follow along with the video to have a go at home!

Goldfish drawing

Keep it simple with graphite and sketch a goldfish! This drawing comes complete with bubbles rising from its mouth, adding to the characterization of the fish. The minimal, simple linework creates a stylised effect, which is great to play around with if you’re into graphic art. What other aquatic animals would you draw like this?

If one of these animal sketch ideas inspires you to explore get creating, #montmarteart or tag us @montmarteart on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to see what you come up with!

If you want to see more art, browse our Inspo collection. You can sign-up to Creative Connection by popping in your email down below to get stacks of free art projects sent straight to you. We’re here to keep you inspired!