How to Draw a Panda: 2 Styles to Capture Their Cuteness

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Do you want to learn how to draw a panda, but don't know where to start? Out of many animals out there, the panda is still one of the most popular ones to draw. Its cute look and its chubby body are pretty easy to draw, even for kids.

Pandas are loved around the world because of their cute appearance. Their round faces, big black eyes, and fluffy bodies make them perfect subjects for drawing. Many people feel happy when they see pandas, and drawing them can bring the same joy. The contrast between black and white colors also makes pandas easier to draw than other animals.

In this article, we will learn how to draw a panda in two styles. First, we will learn to draw a simple panda for kids. Then, we will learn how to draw a realistic panda. We gathered the guide from various sources, Tuesday (9/9/2025).

This section shows an easy way to learn how to draw a panda using basic shapes. It is quick and great for young drawers.

1. Draw the Head and Body: Start with a medium circle for the head. Draw a larger oval below the head for the body. The body can be wider at the bottom. Leave space for the legs.

2. Add the Ears: Draw two small round ears at the top of the head. Place them a little to the sides. Make the ears soft and not too pointy.

3. Mark the Eye Patches: Draw two oval patches on the face. Put them near the middle of the head. Eye patches are wider than the eyes. Keep them round and soft.

4. Draw the Eyes: Inside each patch, draw a small circle for the eye. Add a smaller white spot inside each eye for a highlight. This makes the panda look friendly.

5. Add the Nose and Mouth: Draw a small oval for the nose in the center below the eyes. Draw a short line down and a small smiling curve for the mouth.

6. Draw the Arms and Legs: For arms, draw two curved shapes on each side of the body. For legs, draw two oval shapes at the bottom. Make the paws a bit rounded.

7. Add a Belly Line and Tail: Draw a light curved line for the belly. Add a tiny round tail on one side of the body.

8. Clean Your Sketch: Erase extra guide lines. Make the final lines clear. Keep the shapes simple and smooth.

9. Ink and Fill the Dark Parts: Use a black marker or a darker pencil to fill the ears, eye patches, arms, and legs. Leave the face and belly white. Work slowly to avoid smudges.

10. Color and Finish: Use crayons or colored pencils if you like. Shade lightly around the edges to make the panda look soft. Add a small background like grass or a bamboo shoot if you want.

11. Try Simple Poses: Make the panda sit or wave. Move the arms and legs to change pose. A simple change can make the panda look happy or sleepy.

If you want something more realistic, here is how to draw a simple, realistic panda:

1. Lightly Sketch the Basic Shapes: Begin with a light circle for the head and an oval for the body. Add guide lines for the face center and eye level. Keep lines very faint so you can change them.

2. Adjust the Head Shape: Make the head a little wider at the top and softer at the chin. Real pandas have a round face with a small jaw. Keep the shape gentle for a child-friendly look.

3. Place the Eye Patches with Irregular Edges: Draw the two patches slightly tilted. Make their edges soft and a little uneven. This gives a more natural look than perfect ovals.

4. Draw the Eyes with Detail: Inside the patches, draw small circles for the eyes. Add the iris and pupil. Leave a small white highlight in each eye to show shine.

5. Shape the Nose and Mouth: Draw a soft triangular nose with a rounded top. Add a small line below it and draw a gentle mouth. Make the mouth small and calm.

6. Add Fur Direction Lines: Use short, curved pencil strokes to show fur. On the face, make strokes that go outward from the nose. On the body, use longer strokes that follow the body curve. Keep strokes short and light.

7. Shade Softly to Show Volume: Choose one side for light. Lightly shade the opposite side to make the panda look round. Use a blending stump or your finger to soften the shading. Do not over-blend.

8. Darken the Black Patches: Use a softer pencil or marker to darken ears, eye patches, arms, and legs. Keep the edges slightly fuzzy to look like fur. Keep the face and belly mostly white.

9. Add Small Details: Draw light whisker dots and tiny fur lines near the eyes and mouth. Use an eraser to lift small highlights on the fur. This makes the drawing look more lively.

10. Refine and Simplify: Clean extra guide lines. Keep the main shapes clear so kids can copy them. If a detail is hard, make it simpler. The goal is a realistic style that stays easy to draw.

11. Ink and Finish the Look: If you like, trace main lines with a darker pencil or thin marker. Keep texture by not inking every small stroke. Add gentle background marks like bamboo or grass.

12. Final Check: Step back and check the balance of dark and light. Make black areas darker if needed. The final result should look like a simple panda that is a bit more lifelike, but still easy for children to copy and color.