10 Easy Animal Drawing Books for Beginning Artists

Your drawings will be barking, mooing, braying, and meowing in no time. 

Cover Art from "Drawing Animals"

From the great and majestic to the tiny and adorable, animals bring fun, beauty, and excitement to our world. Now you can recreate any awesome creature with these guides to easy animal drawings. 

Anyone can be an artist. A lack of prior drawing experience should not stop you from creating wildlife portraits and scenes to your heart’s desire. These easy-to-follow books, with informative instructions and examples, are perfect for anyone who wants a new creative outlet and to build a new skill. 

And, of course, even experienced artists can enjoy these cute guides. So, grab one of these easy animal drawing books and get started creating your own beautiful ecosystem right from your home. 

The Complete Beginner's Guide to Drawing Animals

The Complete Beginner's Guide to Drawing Animals

By Walter Foster Creative Team

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From introductions to tools such as different types of pencils, papers, and erasers, to lessons on creating different animal textures, from fur to feathers, this book contains a wide-ranging overview to get you started on your journey into being able to draw different animals. With step-by-step instructions and a variety of animal types, this book is the perfect place to begin. 

Drawing Animals

Drawing Animals

By Lise Herzog

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Drawing Animals contains instructions for drawing over 150 different animals and animal scenes! Each chapter begins by teaching you to draw a basic animal body shape and then continues by showing you how to use those shapes to create different species in different positions. Improve your technical drawing skills and learn to draw many animals with this helpful guide. 

All About Drawing: Sea Creatures & Animals

All About Drawing: Sea Creatures & Animals

By Quarto Publishing Group

Take a journey under the sea and learn to draw all of your favorite aquatic animals. This book uses easy-to-follow examples to teach you how to use basic colors and shapes to create a variety of undersea and coastal animals. It even contains fun trivia about each species!

How to Draw: Cats

How to Draw: Cats

By Polly Pinder

Short-haired, long-haired, kittens, and adults, this book will teach you how to draw any kind of cat. Anyone will be able to follow these clear instructions to draw their favorite kind of domestic kitties, pedigreed cats, and beautifully patterned tabbies. 

How to Draw: Dogs

How to Draw: Dogs

By Susie Hodge

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From schnauzers and terriers, to bulldogs and beagles, How to Draw: Dogs will have you whipping up dog portraits in no time. Susie Hodges shows you every line and curve in her easy instructions and helps you to build up to drawing full dogs by showing how to start with basic geometric shapes and combine them to form animals.

How to Draw: Farm Animals

How to Draw: Farm Animals

By Susie Hodge

If you’re not interested in drawing traditional pets, try this book that will teach you the essentials of drawing animals that dwell on farms. Watch as rectangles, ovals, and circles become sheep, ponies, pigs, cows, and hens!

How to Draw: African Animals

How to Draw: African Animals

By Jonathan Newey

Do your animals of interest dwell on a specific continent? This may be the book for you. Award-winning author Jonathan Newey shows you how to draw the magnificent animals of the African continent, each in just six easy steps! Lions, rhinos, and giraffes, oh my!

How to Draw: Woodland Animals

How to Draw: Woodland Animals

By Susie Hodge

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We’ve all admired the cuteness of woodland animals such as squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks. Now, with this informative guide book, you can recreate the likeness of these adorable critters! Learn to illustrate your own woodland ecosystem right inside your home.

How to Draw: Dinosaurs

How to Draw: Dinosaurs

By Dandi Palmer

Why should animal drawings be limited to animals that currently exist? Take a journey back in time to the age of the dinosaurs. From herbivores like the Amargasaurus and Diplodocus to carnivores like the Tyrannosaurus and Carnotaurus, learn to draw giant beasts, flying wonders, and iconic favorites. 

How to Draw Animals for Kids

How to Draw Animals for Kids

By Rockridge Press

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Finally, for the little ones in your life, this animal drawing guide aimed at kids is the perfect gift for a budding artist. This great resource for parents and teachers starts with the easiest animals and progresses to more challenging ones. This book will inspire creativity and boost any child’s confidence in creating an animal kingdom of their own.