Camels are fascinating creatures that have been used for centuries to transport goods and people across the desert. They are known for their ability to withstand long periods without water, and their distinctive hump, which stores fat that they can use for energy when food is scarce. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw a camel, follow these step-by-step instructions for a simple and easy-to-follow guide.
To start off, draw a circle for the head and an elongated oval shape for the body. Then, connect the head to the body with a curved line and add two small ovals for the ears. Next, draw two curved lines for the legs and two small ovals for the feet. Finally, add a small hump on the back and a tail. The basic camel shape is now complete.
Understanding the Camel’s Anatomy
Camels possess a highly specialized anatomy enabling them to survive in harsh desert environments. To effectively draw a camel, a thorough understanding of its unique physical attributes is crucial.
The Hump(s)
The iconic hump(s) on a camel’s back serve as fat storage. During periods of food scarcity, camels rely on the stored energy within these humps to sustain themselves. The number of humps varies depending on the species: dromedaries have a single hump, while Bactrian camels have two. The hump’s shape and size fluctuate with the camel’s nutritional status, becoming larger and firmer when well-nourished and deflating when resources are scarce.
Legs and Feet
Camels possess long, slender legs, allowing them to navigate uneven terrain with ease. Their wide, padded feet are designed to distribute their weight evenly, preventing them from sinking into soft sand. The thick, leathery soles provide protection from the harsh desert ground, while the presence of two toes with large nails ensures stability.
Head and Neck
Camels have elongated necks, which provide them with extra height for reaching vegetation. Their heads are characterized by a wide, flat muzzle, small ears, and a large, bulbous nose. The nostrils can be sealed to prevent sand inhalation, while the thick eyelashes shield the eyes from dust and debris.
| Feature | Dromedary | Bactrian |
|—|—|—|
| Number of humps | 1 | 2 |
| Hump location | Central | Central |
| Neck length | Long | Long |
| Head size | Large | Large |
| Ear size | Small | Small |
| Nostril adaptability | Sealable | Sealable |
| Eyelash function | Protection | Protection |
Sketching the Basic Outline
Step 1: Draw a circle for the head and an oval for the body. These will serve as foundational shapes for the camel’s overall form.
Step 2: Connect the head to the body with a curved line representing the neck. Ensure the neck has a slight curve, giving it a natural posture.
Step 3: Extend two lines from the oval body to form the front legs. Draw them slightly curved to give the illusion of movement. For the back legs, start with two lines from the oval and then gently bend them to create a more realistic stance.
Step 4: Add a small hump to the back of the oval, representing the camel’s characteristic hump.
Step 5: Draw two smaller ovals above the circle to form the eyes. Add a curved line above each eye for the eyebrows and another curved line below for the snout.
Step 6: Complete the basic outline by adding a tail, which can be represented by a curved line extending from the back of the body.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Draw a circle for the head and an oval for the body. |
| 2 | Connect the head to the body with the neck. |
| 3 | Draw the front and back legs. |
| 4 | Add a hump to the back. |
| 5 | Draw the eyes, eyebrows, and snout. |
| 6 | Add a tail. |
Developing the Head and Neck
Begin by sketching a large oval for the head. Then, draw two smaller ovals for the eyes, placing them towards the front of the head. Add a horizontal line above the eyes for the eyebrows and a curved line below the eyes for the mouth.
Next, sketch the neck by drawing two long, curved lines that extend from the back of the head. Connect the ends of these lines with a horizontal line to form the neck’s base.
Defining the Facial Features
To define the camel’s facial features, add details to the eyes, ears, and mouth.
- Eyes: Draw two almond-shaped eyes with thick, curved upper lids and thin, straight lower lids. Add small dots for the pupils.
- Ears: Sketch two small, triangular ears on top of the head, with rounded tips.
- Mouth: Draw a curved line for the upper lip and a straight line for the lower lip. Add a small hump in the center of the upper lip to create the illusion of a nose.
Shaping the Neck
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sketch two parallel lines along the length of the neck, creating the shape of the trachea. |
| 2 | Add additional lines or curves to define the muscles and wrinkles in the neck. |
| 3 | Erase any unnecessary lines to create a smooth and natural-looking neck. |
Defining the Humps
Step 1: Outline the Overall Shape
Begin by sketching a rough outline of the camel’s body, including the two prominent humps. Determine their approximate size and position along the spine.
Step 2: Refine the Humps’ Forms
Shape the humps using a series of smooth, curved lines. They should appear slightly elongated and tapering towards the top. Pay attention to the slope of the line connecting the humps, as it curves gently outwards.
Step 3: Add Texture and Detail
To create a more realistic texture, draw wavy lines and bumps along the surface of the humps. These can represent the underlying fat deposits. Don’t overdo the details; keep the lines subtle to avoid cluttering the drawing.
Step 4: Accentuate the Shadows and Highlights
To create depth and dimension, add shadows and highlights to the humps. Use lighter tones at the top and sides, where the light will naturally reflect. Darken the areas beneath the humps and on the sides facing away from the light source to enhance the three-dimensionality.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Outline overall shape |
| 2 | Refine hump forms |
| 3 | Add texture and detail |
| 4 | Accentuate shadows and highlights |
Drawing the Legs and Feet
### 5. Shaping the Hooves and Toenails
Once the hooves are outlined, you can start shaping them. Use smooth, curved lines to define the outer edges of the hooves, as well as the shape of the toe and heel. Toenails are small and nail-like, so draw them as tiny curves at the tip of the toes.
Here are some tips for drawing the hooves and toenails:
- The hooves should be slightly wider at the bottom than the top.
- The heel should be rounded, while the toe should be slightly pointed.
- Toenails should be small and curved, with the tip slightly pointing downward.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Outline the shape of the hooves and toenails. |
| 2 | Use smooth, curved lines to define the outer edges of the hooves and the shape of the toe and heel. |
| 3 | Draw small, nail-like curves at the tip of the toes to represent toenails. |
Adding Details to the Head and Face
Once you have the basic shape of the camel’s head and face, you can start adding details. Here’s how:
1. Draw the eyes. Camels have large, dark eyes. Draw two ovals for the eyes, and then fill them in with black. Add a small white highlight to each eye to make them look more alive.
2. Draw the nose. Camels have a large, humped nose. Draw a U-shape for the nose, and then fill it in with brown.
3. Draw the mouth. Camels have a wide mouth. Draw a curved line for the mouth, and then add a few small lines to indicate the teeth.
4. Draw the ears. Camels have small, rounded ears. Draw two small ovals for the ears, and then fill them in with brown.
5. Draw the hair. Camels have a thick coat of hair. Draw short, wavy lines to indicate the hair all over the camel’s body.
Adding Details to the Fur
Camels have thick, shaggy fur that helps to protect them from the sun and sand. To add details to the fur, follow these steps:
6. Use different shades of brown. Camels’ fur can vary in color from light brown to dark brown. Use a variety of shades of brown to create a more realistic look.
| Fur Color | Recommended Pencil Type |
|---|---|
| Light brown | HB or 2B pencil |
| Medium brown | 4B or 6B pencil |
| Dark brown | 8B or 9B pencil |
7. Use short, wavy strokes. Camel’s fur is typically short and wavy. Use short, wavy strokes to create a more realistic texture.
8. Add highlights and shadows. To make the fur look more three-dimensional, add highlights and shadows. Use a lighter shade of brown for the highlights, and a darker shade of brown for the shadows.
Refining the Body and Humps
Once you have the basic shape of the camel, it’s time to refine it to make it more realistic. Start by adding some details to the legs. Draw two thick lines for the front legs and two thinner lines for the back legs. Add some small circles around the hooves to indicate the joints.
Next, add some texture to the body and humps. Draw a series of short, wavy lines along the camel’s back and sides. These lines will create the illusion of fur.
To make the humps look more realistic, draw a few curved lines around them. These lines will help to define the shape of the humps.
Finally, add a few details to the head. Draw two small eyes, a nose, and a mouth. You can also add some eyelashes and eyebrows to give the camel a more expressive look.
Drawing the Humps
The humps are one of the most distinctive features of a camel. They are made of fat, which the camel uses to store energy. Draw the humps by making two ovals on the back of the camel. The ovals should be slightly tilted forward.
Shading the Humps
To make the humps look more realistic, shade them using a pencil or charcoal. Start by drawing a light shade around the base of the humps. Then, gradually darken the shade as you move up the humps. Be sure to leave a highlight at the top of each hump.
Adding Details to the Humps
Once you have the basic shape and shading of the humps, you can add some details to make them look more realistic. Draw a series of small, wavy lines around the base of the humps to indicate fur. You can also add a few wrinkles to the humps to make them look more worn and weathered.
Creating a Desert Landscape
To create a realistic desert landscape for your camel drawing, follow these detailed steps:
1. Sketch the Horizon and Sky
Draw a horizontal line for the horizon. Above it, depict a clear, cloudless sky with a light blue or pink hue.
2. Draw Rolling Sand Dunes
Use curved lines to sketch the rolling sand dunes that define the desert terrain. Create variations in their size and shape to add depth.
3. Add Small Hills
Scatter small hills around the dunes to add texture and visual interest to the landscape.
4. Draw Sparse Vegetation
Add small, scattered plants or shrubs to indicate the sparse vegetation in the desert.
5. Shade the Dunes
Use a light touch to shade the sides of the dunes facing away from the sun. Create a sense of depth by making the shadows darker towards the base of the dunes.
6. Depict Distant Mountains
If desired, draw distant mountains on the horizon to add a sense of scale and grandeur to the landscape.
7. Illustrate a Dusty Atmosphere
Use faint lines or shading to create a dusty atmosphere in the air, giving the impression of a hot and dry desert environment.
8. Details for a Realistic Desert Landscape
a. Create Subtle Texture
Add subtle lines or dots to the sand dunes and hills to create the texture of the desert terrain.
b. Vary the Coloration
Use different shades of brown and beige to create variations in the color of the sand and dunes, giving the desert a more natural appearance.
c. Add Shading to Plants
If you’ve included plants or shrubs, don’t forget to add shading to depict their shadows and enhance their three-dimensional look.
Shading and Enhancing the Camel
After sketching the outline, it’s time to add depth and realism to your camel drawing. Here are detailed steps on how to shade and enhance your camel:
Applying Base Shade
Start by applying a light base shade over the entire camel. This will provide a foundation for the subsequent shading. Use a soft pencil (HB or 2B) and blend gently in the direction of hair growth.
Defining Shadows and Light
Identify the areas where shadows and highlights fall. Shade darker along the contours of the body, such as the underside of the belly, inner legs, and areas where the skin folds. Use a darker pencil (4B or 6B) for these areas.
Creating Texture and Detail
To enhance the texture of the camel’s skin, use short, feathery strokes. Vary the pressure of your pencil to create variations in tone. Also, pay attention to the details, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and hooves.
Highlighting and Blending
Go back and apply lighter shades to the raised areas and highlights of the camel. Use a lighter pencil (H or 2H) and blend smoothly to transition between different shades. This will enhance the contrast and create a realistic effect.
Adding Details to the Humps
The humps are a defining feature of camels. To shade them, apply darker tones along the base and gradually lighten towards the top. Use short, curved strokes to create the texture of the hump’s skin.
Shading the Legs
Shade the legs with a medium-toned pencil (2B or 4B). Focus on defining the muscles and joints. Use lighter strokes for the inner side of the legs and darker strokes for the outer side.
Shading the Neck and Head
Apply a light base shade to the neck and head. Then, darken the areas around the eyes, ears, and mouth. Use a sharp pencil to add details, such as the nostrils and wrinkles.
Creating the Tail
Shade the tail with a light tone, gradually darkening towards the tip. Use short, flowing strokes to create the texture of the hair. Add a few highlights to the edges to enhance the realism.
Finalizing the Drawing with Highlights and Shadows
Once you have the basic outline of the camel, it’s time to add highlights and shadows to bring it to life. This will give your camel dimension and depth.
10. Highlight the humps
The humps are the most prominent feature of a camel, so make sure to highlight them. Use a light-colored pencil or marker to draw a thin line along the top of each hump. This will create a subtle shine that will make the humps look more rounded.
| Before | After |
|---|---|
 |
 |
How To Draw A Camel
Camels are fascinating creatures that have been used for transportation and carrying goods for centuries. They are well-adapted to desert life, with their long necks and legs, and their ability to store water in their humps. In this tutorial, we will show you how to draw a camel in a few simple steps.
Step 1
Start by drawing a circle for the head. Then, add two ovals for the body and two more ovals for the legs. Connect the ovals with lines to form the neck, body, and legs.
Step 2
Add two small ovals on the head for the eyes. Then, draw a curved line for the mouth.
Step 3
Draw two humps on the back of the camel. The humps should be rounded and slightly pointed at the top.
Step 4
Add a tail to the camel. The tail should be long and thin, with a tuft of hair at the end.
Step 5
Finally, color your camel. Camels are typically brown or tan, but you can use any color you like.
People Also Ask About How To Draw A Camel
How do you draw a camel face?
To draw a camel face, start by drawing a circle for the head. Then, add two small ovals for the eyes and a curved line for the mouth. Add two nostrils below the eyes and a small hump on the forehead. Finally, draw two ears on top of the head.
How do you draw a camel sitting down?
To draw a camel sitting down, start by drawing a circle for the head. Then, add two ovals for the body and two more ovals for the legs. Connect the ovals with lines to form the neck, body, and legs. Bend the legs so that the camel is sitting down. Add two humps on the back of the camel and a tail to the back of the body. Finally, color your camel.
