How to Draw a Skink
Today, we’re going to learn how to draw a skink in just a few easy steps. This skink drawing tutorial is super simple, perfect for kids or anyone who wants to draw a cute cartoon-style lizard.
In just 6 simple steps, you’ll learn how to draw a happy little skink with a long tail and tiny legs. This skink will be drawn in a side view, perfect for showing off its smooth, wiggly body. Great for young artists, teachers, or anyone new to drawing animals.
You can even download our free printable at the end to follow along.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper
- Pencil or marker
- Printable step-by-step guide (grab it at the end)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Draw the Head
Start with a small sideways oval near the left side of your paper. This is the skink’s head. Make the front end a little pointy for its nose.
Step 2: Add the Body Curve
From the back of the head, draw a long, curved line that swoops back and down like a banana. This will be the skink’s back.
Step 3: Finish the Belly and Tail
Now from under the head, draw another long curved line to match the top one but this one should stretch even longer to make the tail. Connect both lines at the end with a rounded tip.
Tip: You can curl the tail like a swirl if you want to make it look extra cute.
Step 4: Add the Legs
Draw two short legs near the front of the body and two near the back. They can look like little bent sticks or sausages. Add three tiny toes to each foot. It’s okay if they look a little wiggly.
Step 5: Draw the Eye and Smile
Add a small dot or circle near the front of the head for the eye. Then draw a short curved line under it for a smile. Your skink is starting to look very friendly.
Step 6: Final Details – Texture and Lines
You can draw some simple lines down the back or tail to show smooth scales. Add small dots or curves if you want your skink to have fun patterns.
Try stripes, spots, or zig-zag lines whatever you like. This is your creation.
Time to Color
Grab your favorite crayons or markers and bring your skink to life. Color it brown, tan, green, or even blue like a blue-tailed skink. You can add spots, stripes, or just make up your own rainbow version. It’s your drawing – make it fun.
Coloring Ideas:
Fantasy: Purple with pink sparkles
Realistic: Brown back, light belly, blue tail
Tropical: Green with yellow dots
Free Printable Skink Drawing Guide
Want to practice again or share with a friend?
Download our free skink drawing worksheet below. It includes all the steps, a traceable outline, and a blank skink for you to color or decorate your way.
Fun Skink Facts for Kids
Want to know more about the cool little lizard you just drew? Here are some fun skink facts:
- Skinks are part of the lizard family and live all over the world.
- Some skinks have bright blue tails to distract predators.
- They can drop their tail if they’re scared and it grows back.
- Skinks love to hide under rocks, leaves, or logs.
- They eat bugs like crickets and beetles – yum (for them).
Isn’t nature amazing?
Gallery Time: Show Off Your Drawing
We’d love to see your awesome skink art. Ask a parent or teacher to:
- Tag @drawtwist on social media
- Or email it to us to be featured in our Artist Gallery
Your drawing might inspire other kids to start drawing too.
Mini Quiz: Are You a Skink Expert?
1. What color is a blue-tailed skink’s tail?
a) Green
b) Blue
c) Red
2. What do skinks eat?
a) Pizza
b) Ice cream
c) Insects
3. Can a skink drop its tail and grow it back?
a) No way!
b) Yes, it’s like magic!
✅ Answers: 1 – b, 2 – c, 3 – b
Game Time: “Skink Says” – A Drawing Game
Here’s a fun classroom or playtime game:
How to Play:
- One person is the “Skink.”
- They give drawing commands starting with “Skink says…”
- Everyone follows the command ONLY if it starts with “Skink says.”
Example Commands:
- “Skink says add stripes!”
- “Skink says make a giant smile!”
- “Add polka dots!” (Oops! Skink didn’t say!)
- “Skink says draw a tiny hat!”
- “Skink says color it purple!”
Great for parties, classrooms, or rainy days.
Helpful Drawing Tips Box
📌 Tip 1: It’s okay to erase and try again. Every artist makes changes.
📌 Tip 2: If your line goes wobbly, turn it into a tail or smile.
📌 Tip 3: Use shapes you already know – circles, ovals, curves.
📌 Tip 4: Draw big if you’re just starting out, it makes it easier.
📌 Tip 5: Add tiny details last so you don’t smudge them.
Every drawing is different. Your skink will have its own personality, that’s what makes it special.
Compare It: Skinks vs Other Lizards
If you’re interested in drawing other reptiles, here’s how skinks are different:
| Feature | Skink | Other Lizards |
|---|---|---|
| Body shape | Long and smooth | Varies (some chunky, some thin) |
| Tail | Often very long and tapering | May be short or curled |
| Legs | Short and often low to ground | Usually longer and more visible |
| Movement | Wiggles like a snake | Moves in bursts or steps |
| Skin | Smooth, glossy scales | Often rough or bumpy |
Drawing a Skink Digitally?
If you’re drawing on an iPad or digital device, here are some quick tips:
- Start with a pencil or sketch brush for your base
- Use layers: one for sketch, one for clean line art, one for coloring
- Add subtle texture or shadow under the belly to show form
- Zoom in to draw small toes or eyes neatly
- Save your drawing in high quality to print or share online
This can be a great way to transition traditional drawing skills into digital creativity.
Common Questions Kids Ask
What if my skink looks weird?
That’s totally okay. Every artist makes things that look different from what they imagine. The more you draw, the more you improve.
Can I draw it facing the other way?
Yes! You can flip the skink and draw it facing right instead of left just reverse the steps in your head.
Mine doesn’t look like the example.
Perfect! That means it’s yours. Your skink will have its own style. The goal isn’t to copy, it’s to practice drawing your version.
“How do I make the tail look smoother?”
Try using your whole arm, not just your wrist, to draw the long curve. Practice the curve shape a few times on another paper.
Skink Book Picks (Great for Kids)
Here are some fun reads to enjoy after your drawing session or to deepen your interest in reptiles:
“All About Lizards” by Jim Arnosky
A beautifully illustrated nonfiction book that introduces kids to different types of lizards, including skinks. Great for ages 5–9.
“Miles and Miles of Reptiles: All About Reptiles” by Tish Rabe (Cat in the Hat Learning Library)
A fun, rhyming science adventure that includes lizards and skinks. Perfect for ages 4–8.
“National Geographic Readers: Lizards” by Laura Marsh
Engaging photos, simple facts, and fun vocabulary. A top pick for grades 1–3.
Find more easy drawing ideas:
How to Draw a Bee, How to Draw a Cat, Easy Octopus Doodle Ideas to Try, Simple Whale Doodle Drawing Ideas, How to Draw a Snail
