How to Draw a Frog: Step by Step Guide

In this lesson you will learn how to draw a frog sitting on a lily pad. The steps are simple and clear, so this tutorial is perfect if you are looking for how to draw a frog easy, how to draw a frog for kids or just want a calm little drawing practice for yourself.

Grab your pencil and let us draw a friendly pond visitor together. If you enjoy step-by-step drawing lessons like this one, you can also explore many other creative guides on TryArtWork.

Materials you will need

• Regular pencil
• Black pencil or pen for outlining
• Green pencil or markers in several shades (light and dark if you have them)
• Blue pencil or light blue marker for water
• Eraser

Step 1. Draw the main circle for the body

Start with a circle in the middle of your page.
This round shape will be the main part of the frog’s body and head together, so do not make it too small. Leave some space around the circle for legs and the lily pad.

This simple beginning makes the whole process feel like how to draw a frog simple, even if you do not have much experience.

Step 2. Add the eyes on top of the head

Frogs have eyes that sit high on their heads.

• On the top of the circle draw two small circles or domes for the eyes.
• Place them so they slightly overlap the top of the big circle, but not too far apart.

Inside each eye draw a smaller circle for the pupil.
Important: do not let the pupil touch the outline of the eye. Leave a small white gap between the pupil and the edge.

Step 3. Draw the mouth and face details

Time to give your frog some personality.

• Under the eyes draw a gentle curved line for the mouth.
• Add two tiny dots for the nostrils above the mouth.

If you want a really cute expression, make the mouth curve a bit more and add a tiny curved line at each end of the smile.

Step 4. Draw the back and front of the body

From each side of the big circle gently extend the line down to form the frog’s back and sides.

You do not need a separate neck. Frogs usually look like their head and body are one smooth shape, so keep the outline round and soft.

Step 5. Draw the back legs

Now add the big jumping legs.

1. On one side of the body draw an oval slightly to the back.
2. From this oval extend a curved shape down and forward.
3. At the end of the leg draw three long toes with rounded tips.

Many artists enjoy drawing animals and small creatures like frogs, butterflies or birds. If you would like to continue practicing with another nature subject, you can also try this tutorial on how to draw a butterfly.

Step 6. Draw the front legs

Front legs are shorter and thinner.

• From the lower front part of the body draw two short lines down for each arm.
• At the end add small simple feet with three toes each.

Do not overcomplicate the anatomy. For how to draw a frog for kids, simple curved lines are more than enough.

Step 7. Draw the lily pad under the frog

Now give your frog a place to sit.

• Under the body sketch a large flat oval. This is the lily pad.
• Add a classic lily pad cut with a small triangular notch.

Step 8. Refine the eyes and add highlights

Return to the eyes.

• Darken the pupil inside each eye.
• Leave a small white highlight inside the pupil.

Step 9. Clean the sketch and outline the drawing

Use your eraser to remove extra construction lines and carefully outline the frog and lily pad.

Step 10. Add color to the frog

Now bring your frog to life with color.

1. Use a light green for the body.
2. Leave the belly slightly lighter.
3. Add darker green shading along the back and legs.

Working with color and simple shapes like these is also a good introduction to broader artistic styles. For example, many contemporary artists experiment with color and form in abstract art.

Step 11. Color the lily pad and water

• Color the lily pad medium green.
• Add a darker outline for depth.
• Use light blue strokes around it to suggest water.

Final touches and ideas

Look at your drawing from a little distance and strengthen any lines that look too light. You can also add small dots on the frog’s back or draw more lily pads around it.

Conclusion

Now you know how to draw a frog from a simple circle to a complete character sitting on a lily pad. You followed a clear process of how to draw a frog step by step using only basic shapes.

Learning to sketch simple animals like this frog is a great way to build artistic confidence. The same drawing skills are also used when creating more detailed artworks, including personalized portraits of parents based on meaningful family photos.

Try drawing the same frog again with different poses or expressions. With practice, each new frog will become even more lively and expressive.

Happy drawing!