How to draw a snake was one of those ideas that started as a quiet sketch on my desk and slowly turned into one of my favorite cute drawing projects.
I remember sitting there with my tablet, coffee getting cold next to me, just wanting to draw something calm, friendly, and a little bit playful. Snakes usually get a bad reputation, but I wanted to prove that they can be adorable too.
If you’ve ever searched for how to draw a snake and felt overwhelmed by realistic anatomy, scales, or scary references, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. That’s exactly why I created this tutorial — to make snake drawing simple, relaxing, and fun, even if you’re a beginner.
This snake drawing tutorial is designed for anyone who:
- loves cute, simple illustrations
- wants to improve their line confidence
- feels stuck when drawings get “too complicated”
- just wants a cozy creative break
And yes — every single drawing you see here was created by me, step by step, with a lot of love for creative illustration.
Why Cute Snake Drawings Are Easier Than You Think
One of the biggest struggles I hear from readers is:
“I want to draw animals, but I don’t know where to start.”
I totally get that. When I first started drawing animals, I overthought everything. The moment I stopped chasing realism and focused on simple shapes, everything changed. That’s also the key behind this how to draw a snake tutorial.
Instead of worrying about perfect proportions, we focus on:
- smooth curves
- friendly expressions
- soft, rounded shapes
This approach makes snake drawing feel approachable, not intimidating.
How to Draw a Snake – Step-by-Step Tutorial
Below you’ll find the exact drawing steps I use when creating this cute snake illustration.
Take your time, follow along, and remember: there’s no such thing as a “wrong” line here.
Step 1: Draw a Big Rounded Curve
Start by drawing a large, smooth curved line.
This shape will become the base of your snake’s head, so keep it soft and rounded, almost like an upside-down oval.
Leave the bottom slightly open — this will make it easier to add the body in the next steps.
Tip: It doesn’t have to be perfect. Slightly uneven lines can make your drawing feel more cute and friendly.
Step 2: Add a Cute Face
Inside the head shape, draw two small oval eyes.
Place them slightly apart so the face feels open and friendly.
Then add a simple curved line between the eyes to create a gentle smile.
Keep the facial features small — this helps give your snake a cute, kawaii-style expression.
Step 3: Draw the Tongue
From the middle of the smile, draw a small, curved line going downward.
Then add a second line next to it to give the tongue a bit of thickness.
Finish it with a tiny split at the bottom to create the classic snake tongue shape.
Keep the tongue short and simple so it doesn’t overpower the cute face.
Step 4: Start the Snake’s Body
From the lower right side of the head, draw a long, smooth curved line going downward.
Let the line flow naturally, like a soft “S” shape, to begin forming the snake’s body.
Keep the curve relaxed — this will make the snake look friendly and playful.
Tip: Try to draw the line in one slow motion instead of short strokes for a smoother look.
Step 5: Continue the Curved Body
Extend the body by drawing a wide, rounded curve that loops outward.
This part should feel soft and flowy, helping the snake look relaxed and friendly.
Don’t worry about closing the shape yet — we’ll keep building and layering the body in the next steps.
Bigger, smoother curves make the snake look cuter and more playful.
Step 6: Add Another Body Loop
Behind the first body curve, draw another long, smooth loop.
This line should tuck slightly behind the main body to create a layered, coiled look.
Keep the shape rounded and flowing so the snake still feels soft and cute.
Tip: Overlapping curves help give your drawing depth without making it complicated.
Step 7: Finish the Snake’s Body Shape
Complete the body by adding the final curved line to close the last loop.
Make sure the curve follows the flow of the previous shapes so the body looks smooth and balanced.
At this point, the full coiled body of your snake should be clearly visible.
Step 8: Add Simple Details and Background Elements
Go over the main outline to make the lines look clean and confident.
Then add a few small decorative shapes around the snake to give the drawing a playful, finished feel.
These little details help your snake stand out without taking attention away from the main shape.
Tip: Keep background elements minimal so the snake stays the star of the drawing.
Step 9: Add Base Colors
Fill in the snake with simple, flat colors.
Use one main color for the body and a lighter shade for the belly to create gentle contrast.
At this stage, keep the coloring clean and simple — we’ll add extra details and depth in the next steps.
Tip: Soft, natural colors work best for a cute and friendly look.
Step 10: Add Belly Stripes
Draw soft, curved lines across the lighter belly area.
Follow the curve of the body so the stripes wrap naturally around the snake.
Keep the lines evenly spaced and subtle to add texture without overwhelming the design.
Step 11: Add Final Details and Highlights
Add darker spots along the snake’s body to create extra texture and character.
Keep the spots rounded and vary their size so they feel natural and playful.
Finish by softly shading the cheeks to give your snake a warm, cute expression.
Small details go a long way — adding just a few accents can completely bring your drawing to life.
Watch this Snake tutorial on Youtube
If You Enjoyed This Snake Drawing, You’ll Love These Too
If you liked learning how to draw a snake, I think you’ll really enjoy some of my other cute animal tutorials as well. They follow the same relaxed, beginner-friendly style:
- How to Draw a Chicken (Cute Chicken Drawing)
- How to Draw a Penguin (Easy Penguin Drawing)
- How to Draw a Yeti (Cute Yeti Drawing)
I create all of these with the same goal: to make drawing feel fun, calming, and achievable.
Stay Inspired and Draw With Me
I share new drawing ideas, step-by-step tutorials, and cozy creative inspiration regularly on my Pinterest and YouTube:
- Follow me on Pinterest: Digital Drawing Ideas
- Watch drawing tutorials on YouTube: Digital Drawing Ideas
I also love seeing what you create. If you try this snake drawing, feel free to share it on Pinterest or tag me on Instagram @digitaldrawingideas — it honestly makes my day to see your versions.
Final Thoughts: You Can Absolutely Draw This Snake
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this how to draw a snake tutorial, it’s this:
You don’t need perfect lines or advanced skills to create something cute and expressive.
I’ve learned through years of drawing that confidence grows with every small sketch. This snake started as a simple curve, and step by step, it turned into a finished illustration — just like your drawings will too.
So grab your pencil or tablet, relax your hand, and enjoy the process.
I know this tutorial will be useful for you — and I can’t wait to see what you create next.
