Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Do you want to learn how to draw a snake? When people think of fun things to draw, animals often come first to mind. They have curves, patterns, and shapes that make drawing exciting. From pets to wild creatures, animals give artists endless ideas to try on paper.
Snakes are one of those animals that create strong feelings. Some people feel afraid when they see a snake, while others find them amazing and full of style. The smooth body, the shiny scales, and the sharp eyes give snakes a special charm that many artists cannot resist.
In this article, we will learn how to draw a snake in 3 different poses and styles. We gathered the information from various sources, Tuesday (16/6/2026). Let's get started.
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How to Draw a Simple Snake
This part will teach you how to draw a realistic snake seen slightly from above, with its full body shown in a long curving shape.
1. Start by drawing a long, curving line across your paper. This line should look like a soft wave, with gentle bends instead of sharp turns. This will be the center line of your snake's body.
2. Along this center line, draw two more lines that follow the same curve, one slightly above and one slightly below the center line. These lines should stay close together near the head and tail, but spread a little wider in the middle of the body. This creates the snake's thick middle section.
3. At one end of the body, draw a rounded shape for the head. The head should be a bit wider than the body and slightly flat on top, since we are viewing it from a higher angle. Make the front of the head slightly rounded too.
4. On the other end, let the two body lines slowly come together until they form a thin point. This will be the tail of the snake.
5. On the head, add two small oval shapes for the eyes, placed near the top sides of the head. Inside each oval, draw a small dark circle for the pupil.
6. Below the eyes, draw a small line for the mouth. You can leave it closed, or draw it slightly open with a thin tongue sticking out in a fork shape.
7. Now it is time to add the pattern on the snake's back. Draw a row of connected diamond or oval shapes along the center of the body, from the neck to the tail. Make sure the shapes follow the curve of the body and get smaller near the tail.
8. To make the snake look more real, add small curved lines along the sides of the body. These lines should follow the direction of the curve and represent the texture of the scales.
9. Finally, add shading under the body and along one side of the snake. This will give the drawing depth and make the snake look like it has a rounded, three dimensional shape resting on the ground.
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How to Draw a Striking Snake
This part will guide you to draw only the upper half of a snake, shown in a striking pose with its head raised and ready to attack.
1. Begin by drawing a curved line that looks like the letter S, but with the bottom part shorter than the top. This line will form the main shape of the snake's upper body.
2. Around this S shaped line, draw the body by adding width. The body should be thicker near the bottom and slowly become thinner as it goes up toward the head.
3. At the top of the S shape, draw a wide, triangle like shape for the head. The head should be wider at the back and narrower toward the front, giving it a sharp look.
4. On the front of the head, draw two small nostrils near the tip, and two larger eyes on the upper sides of the head. The eyes can have narrow, vertical pupils to give a more intense look.
5. Below the head, draw an open mouth by separating the upper and lower jaw with a wide gap. Inside the mouth, draw two curved fangs pointing downward from the upper jaw.
6. Add a long, forked tongue coming out from the mouth, curving slightly to one side.
7. On the body, draw a series of patterned shapes, such as bands or spots, that follow the curve of the S shape. These shapes should wrap around the body to show its round form.
8. To add a striking effect, draw a few short lines around the head, especially behind it, to show movement or tension in the pose.
9. Finish by adding shadows under the curves of the body and along the lower jaw. This will make the snake look like it is leaning forward, ready to strike at any moment.
How to Draw a Cartoon Snake
This final part will show you how to draw a very simple and friendly cartoon snake, perfect for beginners and kids to enjoy.
1. Start by drawing a long, curvy line that looks like a loose loop or a wavy noodle shape. This line does not need to be perfect, since cartoon snakes look more fun with playful curves.
2. Give this line some thickness by drawing another line beside it, following the same curve. Connect both ends to form a long tube shape, which will be the snake's body.
3. At one end of the tube, draw a rounded circle for the head. The head can be slightly larger than the body to give it a cute look.
4. Inside the head, draw two big round eyes near the top, with small dark circles inside for the pupils. Cartoon snakes often look friendlier with larger eyes.
5. Below the eyes, draw a curved smiling mouth. You can add a small forked tongue sticking out from the side of the mouth for extra charm.
6. At the other end of the body, draw a small pointed shape for the tail, making sure it matches the simple style of the rest of the drawing.
7. To add some personality, draw simple patterns such as small circles, stripes, or dots along the body. Keep these shapes simple and evenly spaced.
8. Finally, you can add color to your cartoon snake using bright and cheerful colors, since cartoon characters often look more fun with playful color choices instead of natural snake colors.
With these three guides, you can practice how to draw a snake in different styles, from realistic to cartoon. Keep practicing, and soon you will be able to create your own unique snake drawings with confidence.
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