Pandas are beloved creatures known for their distinctive black-and-white markings and cute, cuddly appearance. They are native to China and are considered a national treasure there. This tutorial is for you if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw one of these adorable animals! In the following steps, we will show you how to draw a panda step by step so that you can create your own cute and cuddly depiction of this iconic animal. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, you will find helpful tips and techniques to help you capture the essence of the Panda. 

So grab your pencils, and let’s get started!

What you’ll learn:

• A Panda’s Basic Shapes
• How to draw a Panda 
• How to Shade a Panda

Materials needed:

• A piece of paper
• A 2H graphite pencil
• A soft charcoal pencil
• A Blending stump
• An eraser or a kneaded eraser
• A pencil eraser
• A Tombow Mono Zero 2.3mm

This is the Panda you’re going to draw:

And these are all the steps we’ll walk you through:

Section 1.- A Panda Basic Shapes

For this section, we’ll deconstruct the Panda into basic shapes and build it from there. We are going to use our 2H pencil and kneaded eraser. Please apply the less amount of pressure possible when drawing since we’re going to use several construction lines.

Step 1: Split your canvas into four parts

Using your 2H pencil, split your canvas into four equal parts so that you will have a reference for the Panda’s pose and size.

Step 2: Draw a circle

Sketch a circle in the lower-left part of your canvas. This will be the main part of the body (tummy) of our Panda.

Step 3: Draw another circle 

Draw a smaller circle above the first one. This will be the head of our Panda.

Step 4: Draw a bean 

Draw a bean-like shape connecting both circles. This will be the upper arm of our Panda.

Step 5: Draw another bean 

Draw another bean to complete the arm structure.

Step 6: Repeat

Repeat the steps above to make the other arm. Change the direction of the second bean to give dynamism to the pose.

Step 7: Draw a large bean

Draw a larger bean shape for the upper part of the leg.

Step 8: Draw another bean

Now define the shape of the lower part of the leg with another bean-like shape.

Step 9: Repeat 

Repeat the steps above. Please keep in mind that most parts of the other leg will remain hidden due to overlapping with the body.

Step 10: Draw the paws

Use two small beans for the paws. Change the direction to add variety to your drawing.

Step 11: Clean your sketch

This step is essential since it will allow us to see the shape underneath all the construction lines. Erase all the overlapping lines leaving the upper and lower limbs clean and defined.

Step 12: Draw a hexagon 

Draw an irregular hexagon in the lower part of the Panda’s head. This will be the mouth and nose of our Panda.

Step 13: Draw an inverted “Y”

Draw an inverted Y to define the Panda’s mouth.

Step 14: Draw the eyes and nose 

Draw the nose by making a C shape and topping it with an M shape. Then draw the eyes, making two blob-like lines next to the hexagon for the eye patches. Finally, add two small circles for the eyes.

Step 15: Draw the ears

Add the ears right on top of the head, and you’re done!

Now that you have the Panda construction lines, let’s build the fur on top of it.

Section 2.- How to Draw a Panda

For this section, we are going to use our 4B pencil.

Before starting your drawing, roll your kneaded eraser on top of your construction lines, leaving only a faint trace. 

Step 17: Add fur

With your 4B pencil, start adding the fur around the Panda’s body. Use a combination of small and long lines to create the illusion of fur. Connect the body and head by giving the Panda a thick neck.

Step 18: Draw the Panda’s face

Sharpen your 4B pencil to a very fine tip and add fur to the Panda’s head and facial features. Don’t apply too much pressure since some of those areas will be shaded later.

Step 19: Add a background 

In order to complete our drawing, add a little bit of grass and bamboo around our Panda.

Section 3.- How to Shade a Panda 

Step 20: Add a base layer of graphite 

With your 4B pencil, add a soft layer of graphite in the areas where the Panda’s fur is the darkest. Keep it uniform and blend if needed.

Step 21: Add the black fur

Sand your soft charcoal pencil into a flatter tip and shade the fur by pulling short lines up and down. Try to fill as much area as possible while keeping the fur texture. Shade the eyes and ears as well.

Step 22: Shade the white fur

Get some graphite or charcoal on the tip of your blending stump, clean it a bit and start shading the white parts of the fur with the same up-and-down movement as the previous step.

Step 23: Shade the background 

Shade the background with your 4B pencil and outline the bamboo with your charcoal pencil flat side. Add some shading to the ground with your blending stump, and use your Tombow mono zero to add details to the fur.

And that’s it. You’re done!

You did it! You have completed this tutorial on how to draw a panda. We hope you found it helpful and feel confident in your ability to create your cute and cuddly depiction of this beloved animal. Drawing pandas may take time and practice, but don’t get discouraged if your first attempts don’t turn out exactly as you had hoped.

Happy drawing, until next time!