How to draw a rabbit jumping

Step 1 of 37Guide lines

The line of action

A summer's day, and Clover is leaping. Start with one light curve for the whole movement: from her front paw, up over her back and down to her back foot.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 25.

Step 2 of 37Guide lines

Head and body guides

Hang the shapes on that curve: a circle for the head, and a long oval for the body, stretched out and tipped up at the back.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 25.

Step 3 of 37Guide lines

Ear, leg and tail guides

Two long lines for the ears, swept back by the jump. Lines for the legs: front legs reaching forward, back legs kicked out behind. A small circle for the tail.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 25.

Step 4 of 37Guide lines

The log guide

One long, gently curving line under her for the top of the log, and a short slanting one for the broken branch sticking up.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 25.

Step 5 of 37

The head

Now the ink. From the top of her head, down past the far eye and a little tuft of fur at the cheek, round under the chin. Then small tufts of fur on top.

Step 6 of 37

The ears

Her ears stream back because she is moving fast. The far ear first, out to its tip and back, then the near ear in front of it, with lines inside.

Step 7 of 37

The near eye

Her near eye is big. Round the outside edge first, then the iris inside it with a little flick of lashes, the pupil, a small circle for the glint, and the lid on top.

Step 8 of 37

The far eye

The far eye is turned away, so it looks narrow. Its edge, the pupil and glint inside, a small lid on top, then two short marks underneath.

Step 9 of 37

Nose and mouth

The nose, a soft heart shape with a short line down from it. Then her happy open mouth: the smile up to the corner on the right, back round to the left, and the tongue.

Step 10 of 37

The whiskers

Whiskers, each one a quick, light stroke: three fanning out on the near side, then three on the far side, crossing her cheek.

Step 11 of 37

The cheek and neck

Behind the eye, the back of her head comes down from the ear. Then her fluffy cheek, a row of little points down to the chin, and the fur at the back of her neck.

Step 12 of 37

The back and tail

Now feel the stretch: one long, smooth line for her back, following the line of action up to the tail. Then her fluffy cotton tail, a little cloud of bumps.

Step 13 of 37

The chest

Her fluffy chest: down the front to where the leg starts, then back up in little points of fur to the chin. Then a short furry line from the cheek.

Step 14 of 37

The front legs

The front legs reach forward. The top one first: from the paw along the top to the chest, back underneath to the paw, and two toe lines. Then the lower leg, stretching down to the log.

Step 15 of 37

The belly

Under her body, a soft curve for the tummy, then the fluffy edge of the fur along it. Long and stretched, like the rest of her.

Step 16 of 37

The back legs

The back leg kicks out behind: from the foot along the top to the hip and up to the tail, then round the toes and back underneath. Then the far back foot below it.

Step 17 of 37

The log

Now the log under her. The top edge out to the cut end on the left, then up the broken branch and along to the far end. Last, rings on the cut end.

Step 18 of 37

The bark

Bark lines along the log, following its length. A few up the branch and a knot near its base, then more lines all the way along, some long, some short.

Step 19 of 37

Grass along the log

Tufts of grass poke up behind the log. Quick flicks, each blade coming to a point.

Step 20 of 37

Grass on the left

A clump of tall grass on the left, by the end of the log: long, curving blades, each one a thin pointed leaf.

Step 21 of 37

A daisy on the left

A daisy rising out of the grass: the stem first, then the petals all round a small round centre.

Step 22 of 37

Grass in front of the log

More grass in front of the far end of the log. Draw it over the log, so the blades stand in front.

Step 23 of 37

Grass on the right

And a clump of tall grass on the right, with long leaves curving out at the sides.

Step 24 of 37

A daisy on the right

A second daisy on the right: its stem rising out of the grass, then the petals round the centre.

Step 25 of 37

Erase the guides

Rub out the curve, the circles and the guide lines. Only Clover and her log stay.

Step 26 of 37

Go over the head

Now press harder and go over the outside of her head and ears, so she stands out from the lines inside.

Step 27 of 37

Go over the front

Then her chest and the two front legs, reaching out ahead of her.

Step 28 of 37

Go over the back

Now the long back, the tail, the tummy and the back legs kicked out behind. A firm line here keeps the leap clear.

Step 29 of 37

Go over the log

Last, go over the edge of the log and its branch, a little firmer too. Leave the bark, grass and daisies light.

Step 30 of 37

Shadow side

The light comes from the top left. Shade the side away from it softly: inside the ears, under the chin and down her chest.

Step 31 of 37

Shadows on the body

Then the soft shadows on her body: under the back, along the tummy and on the back legs.

Step 32 of 37

Shadows on the log

Now shadows on the log, down below her, so she floats in the air. Start with the cut end on the left and the log beside it.

Step 33 of 37

Under the branch

Then shade under the broken branch, and along the bottom of the log beneath it.

Step 34 of 37

The log's underside

A soft shadow along the underside of the log, on towards the far end.

Step 35 of 37

Under the far end

Then a little darker right at the bottom, under the far end of the log.

Step 36 of 37

Deep shadows

Press harder in the deepest place, under her tummy where the legs meet.

Step 37 of 37

The darks

Last of all, fill in her pupils, leaving the round glints white.