How to Draw a Mole
Draw a realistic burrowing mole step-by-step using simple shapes, shading, and texture. Practice observation, proportions, and basic animal drawing techniques.
About this tutorial
Draw a realistic burrowing mole step-by-step using simple shapes, shading, and texture. Practice observation, proportions, and basic animal drawing techniques.
What you need
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Gather your materials and place them where you can reach them easily.
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Step 2
Look closely at your reference photo and notice the big simple shapes you see like the oval body and round head.
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Step 3
Lightly sketch a large horizontal oval for the body and a smaller overlapping oval for the head.
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Step 4
Draw a short rounded cone for the snout and add a tiny circle at the tip for the nose.
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Step 5
Sketch the front paws as wide paddle shapes in front of the body to show digging claws.
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Step 6
Add small rounded hind legs and a tiny stubby tail at the back of the body.
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Step 7
Place a tiny dot for the eye and a very small hidden ear near the top of the head.
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Step 8
Smoothly redraw the outer contour to connect all shapes into a single animal outline and erase the extra construction lines.
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Step 9
Add fur texture with short curved strokes that follow the body’s shape.
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Step 10
Shade the darkest areas like under the body behind the legs and under the snout using light layers of pencil.
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Step 11
Gently blend the shaded areas with your blending stump or cotton swab to soften the fur shadows.
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Step 12
Use your eraser to lift tiny highlights on the nose and along fur ridges and clean any stray marks.
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Step 13
Take a picture of your finished mole and share your creation on DIY.org.
Get inspired
Fun facts
How to draw a realistic burrowing mole step-by-step?
Start by studying a reference photo to note proportions. Lightly sketch simple shapes: an oval for the body, a smaller circle for the head, and short rounded triangles for the broad digging forepaws. Add a pointed snout and small eyes. Refine contours, erase guidelines, then layer short, soft pencil strokes for fur texture following the body’s curves. Shade gradually with darker pencils for depth, blend lightly for smoothness, and add highlights with an eraser to finish.
What materials do I need to draw a realistic mole?
You’ll need drawing paper or a sketchbook, a range of pencils (HB, 2B, 4B), a soft eraser and a kneaded eraser for highlights, and a pencil sharpener. Bring a blending stump or tissue for soft shading and optional fine liners or colored pencils for final details. Keep a clear reference photo of a mole and a comfortable surface with good light to work from observation and adjust tones accurately.
What ages is mole drawing suitable for?
This step-by-step realistic mole drawing works well for children aged about 7 and up. Younger kids (5–7) can try a simplified version using just basic shapes and bolder lines with adult help. Older children and teens can focus on proportions, texture, and shading. Always adjust instruction pace: offer simpler steps and larger shapes for beginners, and introduce finer shading techniques as skill and patience increase.
What are the benefits of drawing a realistic mole?
Drawing a realistic mole builds observation, proportion awareness, and fine motor control. Practicing shading and texture improves hand control and patience, while using reference photos teaches visual analysis and science curiosity about animals. It also boosts confidence as skills improve, encourages focus, and can be a calming activity. Turn it into a mini lesson on habitats and adaptations to connect art with nature learning.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I don't have a blending stump — what can I use instead to soften the fur shadows?
Use a cotton swab (as the instructions mention), a piece of tissue, your fingertip, or a soft brush to gently blend the shaded areas under the body, behind the legs, and under the snout.
My mole's head and body don't look connected — how can I fix the outline?
Check that your large horizontal oval for the body overlaps the smaller head oval, then smoothly redraw the outer contour to connect all shapes into a single animal outline and erase the extra construction lines before adding texture.
How can I adapt this drawing activity for different age groups?
For younger kids, pre-draw big ovals on larger paper and have them trace and add simple paddle paws, while older kids can focus on short curved fur strokes, layered pencil shading with a blending stump, and lifting highlights with an eraser for realism.
How can we extend or personalize the mole drawing once it's finished?
Add a dirt tunnel or background, try colored pencils or charcoal for different fur textures, give the mole a patterned patch or name tag, then take a picture of your finished mole and share it on DIY.org as instructed.