How to Draw a Horse's Head

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Horse's Head

Drawing a horse's head can be done if you follow a few very easy steps. We'll use some simple shapes to build the drawing so that you can follow this lesson even if you think you have no drawing ability at all. Try to copy each shape as carefully as you can, making sure that the proportions of your circles and triangles are very similar to the ones drawn in the example.

Working Lines

One of the techniques described in these steps is the use of working lines. These are basic lines and shapes used to establish some guidelines in the process of refining the picture and adding detail. They will be erased once your drawing is done, so draw them very lightly—only dark enough to see while you are working.

While the working lines do not need to be precise, it might be helpful if you are a beginner to use some basic aids, such as a ruler for straight lines, a protractor for angles, or a compass for circles.

Other Tools and Techniques

Good pencils, a good eraser, and sketch paper are of utmost importance. Tools designed specifically for sketching will be easier to work with and provide superior results. If you're a beginner, take some time to familiarize yourself with these tools and practice some basic skills. Practice and experiment to find pencils that feel most comfortable in your hand and give you the kinds of results you want. The same goes for sketch paper. Experiment and practice with different weights to find what works best for you.

Spend time doodling on the paper to get a sense of how lightly or heavily different pencils mark the page depending on your own technique. This will help you in deciding which pencils to use for which tasks when drawing your horse's head.

Adding Color

These step-by-step instructions focus only on drawing the head, but once you've completed that, you may decide you want to add some color or other additional detail. As with other skills and techniques, the best way to do this is to experiment to find the tools you prefer.

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Start With Basic Shapes

Draw these shapes, very lightly, arranged just as they are in the example:

  • Start with a triangle—notice that it's a right-angled triangle, tilted over.
  • Add a circle for the cheek, overlapping the triangle.
  • Add a rectangle shape for the face.
  • Add a slightly curving arch to shape the top of the neck.
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Adding Detail to the Horse's Head

adding some detail
Adding some details. H South
  • Add the horse's eye (a semicircle with a pointy hat shape).
  • Draw lines across the corners of the rectangle to round off the nose.
  • Draw the bump of the chin.
  • Draw a curving nostril and a straight line for the mouth.
  • Add a gentle s-curve shape for the throat.
  • Draw a long, flowing mane and draw the ears.
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Finishing the Drawing

finishing the horse head drawing
Finishing the horse head. H South

Lastly, erase your working lines and fix any bits you don't like. Strengthen the drawing with a firm pencil or pen line, or add shading or color, and your horse drawing is done.