Use the step-by-step instructions below to learn how to draw a Highland Cow. Follow along with the video, or use the images in this article. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a completed drawing of this beautiful farm animal!

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To draw this Highland Cow step by step, follow along with the video tutorial below and pause the video after each step to go at your own pace. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step images below the video. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods.

Materials You'll Need Before starting, gather these basic drawing supplies from Blick Art Materials. If you choose to purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Pencils (an HB lead pencil is best for light sketches)	Kneaded Eraser	Drawing Paper
Black Ink Pen (or Fine-Line Marker)	Colored Pencils (or Markers)	Markers (or Colored Pencils)

Step 1: Create the Initial Sketch

Create the Head Circle: Start by drawing a circle as a guide for the head. To easily draw a circle, first make a couple of small marks to indicate the circle's height, then add a couple more marks on the sides to indicate its width. Connect these marks using curved lines. If you have trouble drawing a circle freehand, find an object with a circular edge to trace, such as a coin or a bottle cap. Inside the circle near the bottom, draw a curved horizontal line for a construction guide. Next, add a long vertical line for another construction guide, extending the bottom below the circle.

Establish the Muzzle and Jaw: Under the head, draw a smaller circle as a guide for the muzzle. Note how small this circle is in relation to the main head circle; their outer edges should touch. Create the structure for the lower jaw by drawing a couple of curved lines on the sides, curving them inward toward the muzzle at the bottom.

Sketch the Ears and Horns: On the left side of the head circle, draw a curved line as a guide for the first ear, resembling a side arc. Draw a matching curved line on the right side for the opposite ear. Above the ears, draw curved lines to serve as guides for the horns, extending outward before curving upward.

Form the Body Guides: On the left side of the head, draw a large circle as a guide for the front part of the body using the small marks method. This circle should be roughly twice the size of the head. Sketch lightly so it remains easy to erase later. To the far left, draw a small half-circle to serve as a guide for the back portion of the body.

Outline the Leg Guidelines: Below the front section of the body, draw two long vertical lines to serve as guides for the front legs. Pay attention to their lengths and positions relative to the body structure. To the left, draw two more vertical lines for the hind legs, bending them slightly near the middle to define the joints. This completes your structural framework.

Step 2: Draw the Facial Features

Start with the Eyes: Inside the head, lightly sketch two small circles for the eyes. Position them directly on top of the horizontal construction line, close to the outer sides of the head. Once the proportions look correct, darken the lines. When darkening the left eye, make the sides pointier to form the corners, and add a couple of short curved lines around it to indicate skin creases.

Render the eye on the right side the same way. Darken the path and make the corners pointier. Keep this eye slightly narrower than the left one, as the head is turned at an angle. Finish both eyes by drawing short horizontal lines inside to form the pupils.

Detail the Nose, Mouth, and Muzzle: Lightly sketch a small, square-like shape inside the muzzle for the nose, placing it close to the top edge of the circle. Darken the lines when you are satisfied with its position. Add a couple of curved lines on the sides for nostrils, and use a wavy line along the top to finish the nose. Below it, draw a line for the mouth, adding a few short strokes on the sides for hair texture. Form a furry chin underneath using a curved line made of short strokes, and complete the area by placing a series of short strokes above the nose along the path of the initial circle to represent overlapping fur.

Draw the Horns and Ears: Use the long guide line on the top left side of the head to create the first horn. Lightly sketch the thickness of the horn around the line, keeping the base wide and tapering it gradually into a thin point at the top. Darken the lines when you're happy with the shape. Repeat this process for the other horn, keeping the bottom wide and the tip pointy.

Darken the left side arc to create the first ear. Work along the bottom using short strokes and angled lines to simulate long, shaggy hair. Use the right arc to form the second ear in the exact same manner. Add a few short strokes inside to emphasize the depth of the fur.

Finish the Shaggy Head Fur: Use the remaining structural lines to complete the head. Draw a series of long, curved strokes across the upper head to form the iconic long hair. Arrange these lines between the eyes. Avoid individual strands; instead, draw curved, wavy lines to represent thick clumps of fur that end in points. The bottom of this hair section should fall near the muzzle, curving back up toward the right eye. Darken the top edge of the circle with angled lines and add a few short strokes above the nose and inside the lower head area to anchor the texture.

Step 3: Begin Drawing the Legs

Focus on the second leg line from the right to construct the first front leg. Lightly sketch the shape around the guide, keeping it wide at the top and narrower toward the bottom. Darken your lines once the proportions are accurate, curving them to suggest muscle structure. Incorporate short strokes along the edges for texture, and flatten the bottom of the shape to create the hoof.

Move to the leg guide line on the far right to draw the other front leg. Lightly sketch the shape, making the top section wider than the bottom. Darken the lines using short strokes for a furry appearance, and add internal strokes to create depth. Draw a couple of short lines at the very bottom to indicate a split hoof.

Step 4: Finish Sketching the Body

Draw the Hind Legs: Use the guide line on the far left side to develop the first hind leg. Sketch the leg around the line, following the natural curve to define the joints and muscle layout. Darken your work with short strokes for texture, and add a split detail to the bottom of the hoof. Move to the remaining leg line to create the final hind leg. Lightly sketch the shape around the guideline, finalizing the width and curves before darkening the borders with short, texturing pencil strokes.

Finalize the Shaggy Body Shape: Complete the body by darkening the outer edges of your main circle guides. Use short strokes and angled lines to build a shaggy coat, creating longer lines along the belly for hanging fur. Do not overlap the legs on the foreground side as you detail the underside. Add a few loose strokes beneath the head for long neck fur, and place curved lines inside the body to emphasize the coat's volume.

Step 5: Ink and Erase Guidelines

Carefully trace your final pencil details with permanent ink. Take your time during this step to prevent mistakes. Do not apply ink to any of the original geometric construction lines. Once the ink has dried completely, use your eraser to clear away all underlying pencil marks.

Step 6: Apply Color and Details

Color the full body using various shades of brown markers or colored pencils. Begin by applying your lightest brown shades, then build up to darker tones. Ensure your coloring strokes mimic the natural growth direction of the coat. Use deep brown shades to cast shadows across the underside and legs, and use lighter shades of brown or orange to apply highlights. Blend your colors together smoothly. Finish the scene by using light blue along the bottom to represent snow, adding a few vertical strokes for grass peeking through, and deepening your ink lines for maximum contrast.

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