Capybaras have taken the internet by storm with their incredibly chill vibes and adorable, boxy bodies. These 'friend-shaped' creatures are perfect subjects for a coloring page because of their simple shapes and calm expressions. In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a cute, clean line drawing of a capybara that you can later fill with your favorite colors or patterns.

What is cute capybara?

A capybara is the world's largest living rodent, native to the wetlands and forests of South America. They are semi-aquatic mammals known for their social nature, often seen lounging peacefully with other animals like birds or even crocodiles. Their unique appearance—characterized by a blunt snout, small ears, and a heavy, barrel-shaped body—has made them a global symbol of relaxation and friendliness.

Materials You'll Need

  • Pencil (HB or #2 for sketching)
  • Eraser (for cleaning up guidelines)
  • Black fine-tip marker or pen (for final outlines)
  • Drawing paper or printer paper
  • Colored pencils, markers, or crayons (for coloring!)
Step 1: Sketch the Basic Shapes

Step 1: Sketch the Basic Shapes

Start by drawing a large, horizontal oval for the body and a smaller, upright rounded rectangle for the head. Position the head slightly above and to one side of the body, leaving a small gap for the neck.

Step 2: Connect Head and Body

Step 2: Connect Head and Body

Draw two slightly curved lines to connect the back of the head to the top of the body and the chin to the chest. This creates a thick, sturdy neck that is characteristic of a real capybara's silhouette.

Step 3: Add Facial Features

Step 3: Add Facial Features

Place two small, rounded ears at the top corners of the head and a large, flat nose at the front of the snout. Draw two small, sleepy-looking eyes slightly above the nose line to give your capybara its signature calm expression.

Step 4: Draw the Sturdy Legs

Step 4: Draw the Sturdy Legs

At the bottom of the large body oval, add four short, thick legs with rounded ends for the paws. Capybaras have somewhat stocky limbs, so keep them short and simple to maintain the 'cute' aesthetic.

Step 5: Add Fur Texture

Step 5: Add Fur Texture

Go around the outer edges of your drawing and add small, jagged lines or tufts to represent their coarse fur. Focus these details on the top of the head and along the back to make the line art more interesting for coloring.

Step 6: Finalize the Line Art

Step 6: Finalize the Line Art

Trace over your final lines with a dark pen or marker and erase any overlapping pencil guides. Ensure all lines are closed so that you have a clean, black-and-white coloring page ready for your artistic touch.

Pro Tips

  • Use very light pencil strokes for your initial shapes so they are easy to erase once you finish the final ink outline.
  • When coloring, try using a mix of warm browns and tans, leaving small white highlights on the nose and eyes to make them pop.
  • To make your capybara look extra cute, you can draw a small orange or a tiny bird sitting right on top of its head.

Get the Finished Coloring Page

Don't want to draw it yourself? Grab the ready-to-print cute capybara coloring page!

View Coloring Page

Complete Drawing Guide at a Glance

Here are all 6 steps together so you can see the full progression from start to finish:

How to draw cute capybara - all steps

Congratulations on finishing your very own cute capybara drawing! Whether you keep it as a simple line drawing or bring it to life with vibrant colored pencils, we would love to see your creation. Don't forget to share your masterpiece with friends and keep practicing your animal art!