Rhinoceroses are massive, armored-looking animals with one or two horns on their noses. They look tough to draw, but once you break them down into basic shapes, they’re easier than you’d think. Follow these simple steps to draw your own rhino. Grab your supplies and let’s get started!
Materials
- Pencil
- Paper
- Eraser
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons (for finishing)
Tips
- Start blocky, then round it. Rhinos are made of big, heavy shapes. Sketch rectangles first, then soften the edges into curves.
- Don’t forget the folds. Skin folds are what make a rhino look like a rhino. Add creases at the neck, behind the front legs, and above the back legs.
- Look at different species. A white rhino has a wide, flat mouth for grazing grass. A black rhino has a pointed upper lip for grabbing leaves. An Indian rhino looks like it’s wearing armor. Each one looks different.
- The horn isn’t bone. It’s made of keratin, the same stuff as your fingernails. Draw it as a smooth, slightly curved cone, not a sharp spike.
Cool Rhino Facts
The animal you just drew is one of the largest land animals on Earth. Here are some things that make rhinos remarkable:
- They’re huge. A white rhino can weigh over 5,000 pounds, almost as heavy as a pickup truck.
- There are five species. White rhino and black rhino live in Africa. Indian (or greater one-horned) rhino, Sumatran rhino, and Javan rhino live in Asia.
- Their horns are made of keratin. The same protein in your fingernails and hair. A rhino horn has no bone inside it at all.
- They have terrible eyesight. They rely on their excellent hearing and sense of smell instead.
- They can run fast. Despite their size, some rhinos can run more than 30 miles per hour. You definitely don’t want to be in the way.
