How to Draw a Unicorn in 2 Styles: Cartoon and Realistic

Liputan6.com, Jakarta How to draw a unicorn is a question many people ask when they want a gentle, magical picture. This article will help you learn step by step. You will read clear directions that show how to draw a unicorn so you can make your own picture with calm confidence.

Unicorns are a legendary mythological creature shaped like a white horse with a long horn on its head. These elegant creatures are a symbol of beauty, purity, power, innocence, and grace.

In this article, we will learn how to draw a unicorn to capture the beauty of this magical creature in two ways: a simple cartoon version for kids, and more realistic version. We gathered them from various sources, Wednesday (5/11/2025).

This cartoon version of a unicorn will be loved by kids. Learn how to draw a unicorn for kids while following these simple steps:

1. Start With a Big Circle for the Head: Draw a round circle near the top left of the paper. Leave room under it for the body. The circle should be the size of a small orange. Do not press hard with the pencil.

2. Add a Small Oval for the Muzzle: On the lower right edge of the circle, draw a small oval that touches the circle. This is the nose area. Draw only light lines so you can erase if needed.

3. Draw Two Simple Ears: On top of the head circle, draw two short triangle shapes with rounded tips. Make them small and not pointy. These will look soft and cute.

4. Make the Neck and Body With Two Rounded Shapes: From the left lower side of the head, draw a short curved line down for the neck. Then draw a larger oval for the body that goes to the right. The body should be about two times the size of the head circle.

5. Add Four Short Legs: Under the body, draw four straight narrow rectangles. The front legs may be a little closer together. Make the feet rounded like small shoes. Keep them short to keep the cartoon look.

6. Create a Simple Tail: At the back of the body, draw a soft curved shape like a thick banana. Add three long curved lines inside the tail to show hair. Keep the curves wide and flowing.

7. Draw a Single Spiral Horn: In the center top of the head circle, draw a small cone shape that points slightly forward. Add two or three short curved lines inside the cone to show spiral rings.

8. Make a Friendly Eye and Smile: On the head circle, draw a big closed eye shape like a curved line with short lashes. Under the muzzle, draw a small curved line for a smile. This makes the unicorn look kind.

9. Add a Simple Mane: From the top of the head to the neck, draw several wide, soft waves. Each wave is like a rounded leaf. Do not draw tiny details. Keep the mane bold and clear.

10. Clean Your Lines and Color: Erase extra sketch lines. Trace the final lines with a darker pencil or marker. Use bright colors for the mane and tail, soft pink for the cheek, and light shades for the body. For kids, bold and even color blocks look best.

11. Final Touch: Fun Details: Add simple stars or hearts around the unicorn. You can draw a small cloud under the hooves if you like. These small shapes make the picture playful.

So, how to draw a unicorn if you want a simple, realistic version of this magical creature? Follow this guide.

1. Map the Head and Neck With Construction Shapes: Draw a medium oval for the head and a long curve for the neck. Place a small circle where the jaw meets the throat. The head should be tilted a little forward for a natural pose.

2. Place the Eye, Nostril, and Mouth With Care: Mark the eye as a horizontal almond shape slightly lower on the head. For the nostril, draw a small teardrop shape on the front side of the muzzle. The mouth is a soft line under the nostril. Keep these marks light and correct the sizes if needed.

3. Sketch the Body Proportions: From the base of the neck, draw a larger oval for the chest and a long rounded shape for the belly. The body should be longer than the head and sit lower on the page to look grounded.

4. Draw the Legs With Joints: Use thin cylinders for the upper leg and slimmer cylinders for the lower leg. Add slight knees and small, neat hooves. For a realistic look, make the front legs stand slightly apart and the hind legs show a gentle bend at the knee.

5. Create a Refined Horn: On the forehead, draw a tapered cone that is not too thick. Add subtle spiral lines along the horn. For realism, make the horn texture soft with small shadow lines where the spiral turns away from the light.

6. Shape the Mane and Tail With Flow: For a natural mane, draw long strands that follow the neck curve. Each strand should start near the skull and fall in soft layers. The tail should be long and full, with thin lines that show hair flow. Keep the lines gentle and varied in length.

7. Define Muscles and Coat With Light Shading: Use light pencil strokes where the body curves: under the neck, behind the shoulder, and near the belly. Blend gently with your finger or a tissue to make smooth shadow areas. Do not overwork; small soft shadows give form.

8. Add Facial Detail and Highlight: Darken the pupil and add a small white dot to show light in the eye. Shade lightly around the nostril and under the lower jaw. Leave thin bands of paper for highlights on the nose and the top of the neck where light hits.

9. Refine the Hooves and Ground Shadow: Draw the hooves with a small soft edge and add a thin shadow under each hoof to anchor the unicorn to the ground. A faint cast shadow under the body makes the drawing feel real.

10. Final Clean-Up and Color Suggestion: Erase the construction lines softly. If you color, use gentle tones: pale creams for the coat, soft pastel colors for the mane, and slightly darker tones for the shadows. Keep colors blended and calm to maintain the realistic feel.

11. Optional: Small Fantasy Details: If you want, add faint sparkles or thin ribbons in the mane. Keep these subtle so they enrich the drawing without making it look cartoonish.