How to Draw a Crocodile Step by Step - 14 Easy Steps to Create an Easy Drawing of a Crocodile!

In this fun and easy crocodile drawing tutorial, you’ll learn how to draw a crocodile step by step.

This crocodile drawing easy tutorial is great for beginner artists (both kids and adults) who want to improve their drawing skills.

Crocodiles are one of the most iconic reptiles in the world, so it’s no surprise that they are often featured in art and drawing tutorials.

This tutorial will provide easy and fun steps for creating a crocodile easy drawing that you can share with your family and friends.

Fun Fact: Did you know that crocodiles can hold their breath underwater for up to two hours?

Once you have completed this tutorial, you’ll end up with an awesome crocodile drawing.

What You’ll Need

We’ll be creating our easy drawing crocodile using the following materials:

• A piece of paper
• A pencil
• An eraser

How to Draw a Crocodile Step by Step

Follow our step-by-step tutorial covering how to draw crocodile.

We’ve included all of the steps in detail so that the process is easier to follow.

So, let’s get started!

The collage above shows each step of the process so you know what your crocodile drawing step by step should look like at each stage. 

Instructions on How to Draw a Crocodile Easy Sketch

Tip: Make sure you don’t press too hard on the paper when you draw your pencil lines so that you can correct your mistakes with an eraser as you go through the tutorial.

Step 1: Draw the Body Shape

Start by drawing a long oval that will form the main body of your crocodile.

Step 2: Draw the Head

Once have your outline completed, draw a much smaller oval for the head which is next to the body.

Step 3: Draw the Tail

Draw another small oval at the end of a long one for the tail.

Step 4: Connect the Head with the Body to Form One Shape

In the following steps, use darker pencil marks to outline the drawing. You can tilt your pencil at an angle to achieve this.

A. Draw a long curved line starting on top of the head and finishing at the back of the body to create the upper part of the body.

B. Draw another shorter curved line coming from the bottom of the head to create a lower part.

Step 5: Draw the Legs

A. Using two straight lines draw the hind leg and connect to the body.

B. Using two curved lines draw the front leg.

Step 6: Draw Sharp Claws

Connect each of the leg lines with a straight horizontal line.

Then, using a zigzag shape, draw the sharp claws on each of the legs.

Step 7: Draw the Face with an Open Mouth

For the upper jaw, draw a line extending from the top of the head and curve around the back into the body to create an oval shape.

Then, for the bottom part of the jaw, join a curved line from the end of the top jawline closest to the body, and connect it to the left side of the top jaw.

Step 8: Draw the Tail

Draw two long curved lines at the end of the body to create the tail.

Step 9: Erase Pencil Marks

Erase any unwanted pencil marks.

Step 10: Draw the Eye, Nose, Sharp Teeth, and Forehead

A. Draw a small oval on the head for the eye and add an eyebrow on top. Then add a tiny oval for the nose.

B. Add sharp teeth with small triangles inside of the open mouth and add a small straight line to create the tongue.

C. Draw a wide letter M shape on top of the head to create a forehead.

Step 11: Add Detail to the Body

A. Draw a long line curved into the tail in the middle of the body.

B. Then add several triangles on that line and on the top of the body to create scales.

Step 12: Outline the Entire Body

Outline your crocodile with darker pencil lines to create a more realistic look.

Step 13: Finishing Touches

A. Shade the body of the crocodile by adding a small criss-cross pattern at the bottom.

Then use your finger to smudge the pencil lines inside of the body to add more texture and make it look more lifelike.

B. Add several small lines across the body to add a 3-dimensional effect.

C. At the bottom of the body draw lines curved inwards to create belly scales. Then add them across the body, head, and tail.

Step 14: Draw the Floor

Draw a few horizontal lines to create the floor.

Congratulations!

Now you know how to draw a crocodile.

Don’t worry if your crocodile drawing isn’t perfect the first time, the more you practice the better you will get!

Be sure to practice this simple crocodile drawing until you get it just right.

Then try to draw other reptile species to perfect your drawing skills.

Bonus Tips on How to Improve Your Crocodile Drawing

• Observe your subject from all angles. Crocodiles are unique creatures with many distinctive features and patterns. Take the time to study a crocodile from different angles, noting down key details such as its eye shape, scales, and teeth so you can accurately represent them in your drawing.

• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Drawing a variety of crocodiles with different poses, sizes, and colors can help you hone your drawing skills and develop your style.

• Improve your shading techniques. You can make your drawings more realistic by learning how to shade them properly. Experiment with various techniques such as cross-hatching, stippling, and blending to create different textures.

• Use different materials to practice. It’s always a great idea to practice your drawing with various media, such as colored pencils, crayons, pastels, and paint. This will help you get more familiar with the unique shapes of the crocodile and how they look in different mediums.

• Experiment with different poses. Crocodiles can move and stretch in many interesting ways, so challenge yourself to draw them in varying positions such as swimming, lounging, or hunting. This will help you become more creative and improve your overall drawing skills.

• Reference stock photos for extra help. If you’re struggling to get the details right, try referencing royalty free stock photos of crocodiles for extra help and guidance. Make sure to take a look at them from different angles so you can accurately capture your subject’s features in your drawing.

• Add details for realism. Adding extra details like wrinkles or small patterns in an animal’s skin can help to make your drawing look more realistic. Take the time to add these extra touches to bring life and realism to your drawing.

• Convert your drawing into a digital format. If you’re comfortable using digital art programs, you can use them to refine and enhance your crocodile drawings. Programs like Adobe Photoshop have powerful features that allow you to adjust things like contrast, saturation, levels, and color tones to perfect the look of your artwork.

• Practice, practice, practice! The best way to improve your crocodile drawings is by practicing regularly.

Soon, you’ll be a master at animal drawings! Try, try drawing other animals like a cat or a rabbit.

Looking for more similar drawing tutorials? Search our list of 101+ Drawing Ideas.

Happy drawing!