There’s something strangely hypnotic about snakes: their flowing curves, mesmerizing scales, and intense eyes make them unforgettable. Whether you love their mysterious vibe or just want to master those swooping lines, snakes are fantastic creatures to draw.
If your pencil’s feeling a little too straight-laced lately, these snake drawing ideas will help you loosen up and add some twisty flair to your art.
Why Snakes Are an Artist’s Best-Kept Secret
Snakes might seem simple at first, but they’re actually full of artistic potential. With one elegant curve, you can create movement, emotion, and even symbolism.
They’re often used in mythology, fashion, tattoos, and spiritual art, so your inspiration can come from just about anywhere. From wild fantasy to scientific sketching, snakes fit beautifully into any art style.
1. Easy Snake Sketch for Beginners
Master the curve with a simple form
Start with an S-Shape Foundation
Begin by drawing an elongated S shape across your sheet. From there, build out the body by widening the center and tapering both ends. Keep your lines loose and flowing.
You can use a light template or our pre-made pdf below to trace over until the movement feels natural. It’s surprisingly meditative to follow the curves and let your hand relax with each line.
2. Snake Wrapped Around a Branch
Add drama with a twist—literally
Explore the Tension and Texture
Coiling your snake around a branch gives your drawing natural rhythm and visual interest. Pay attention to how the body overlaps and creates depth. This is a fantastic way to practice shadowing and scale detailing.
Add in some leaves or flowers to contrast the smooth, sinuous form. Perfect for both adult artists looking for a challenge and kids who enjoy storytelling through art.
3. Snake with Decorative Patterns
Mix realism with design for a truly eye-catching look
Think Mandalas, Tribal Lines, or Geometric Accents
Instead of focusing only on natural scales, try filling your snake with patterned designs. Zigzags, spirals, and repeated motifs make it feel almost magical. This is ideal for turning your snake into a centerpiece on a coloring sheet or framed artwork.
You can use our downloadable pdf for guidance or create your own tracing patterns.
4. Baby Snake Hatching from an Egg
Where cuteness meets curiosity
Use Round Shapes and Soft Textures
A baby snake peeking out from a cracked egg makes for an adorable scene. Keep the lines gentle and add shine to the egg shell. A great idea for storybooks, educational art, or just something different for your sketchbook. Add a little smile to the snake for extra charm.
Try using soft colored pencils to give the scene a warm, whimsical tone.
5. Realistic Snake Head Close-Up
Let the eyes do the talking
Focus on Details: Eyes, Scales, Tongue
This one’s all about zooming in. The eyes of a snake are powerful and expressive. Use a reference photo or template to get the proportions right. Then dive into those intricate scale patterns around the face. Highlight the textures with contrast and layering.
A great exercise in precision for adult artists working on realism skills.
6. Cartoon Snake with Attitude
Playful, expressive, and easy to love
Big Eyes, Funky Tongue, Maybe Even Glasses
Draw a cartoon snake that breaks all the rules. Think bold colors, fun accessories, and quirky expressions. This kind of drawing is awesome for DIY stickers, greeting cards, or digital art. You can even create a whole crew of cartoon snakes with different moods.
Great for kids who love animals with big personalities.
7. Snake in a Jungle Scene
Build an atmosphere around your snake
Layers of Leaves, Vines, and a Hint of Danger
Set your snake in a lush jungle environment with layered plants and warm shadows. You can draw it coiled on a rock or slithering through ferns. Use green tones and pops of bright colors to capture that wild, tropical vibe.
Use a coloring pdf base and focus on shading and mood-building from there.
8. Mythical Snake with Wings or Horns
Time to let your imagination run free
Combine Creature Features for Fantasy Fun
Who says snakes can’t have dragon wings or a lion’s mane? Create your own mythical hybrid by adding fantasy elements to a standard snake shape. These drawings are amazing for fantasy fans and are perfect for concept art or creative character design.
Use a sketching sheet to draft your idea before finalizing it in ink or color.
Let Your Pencil Slither to New Places
Whether you’re into realistic reptiles, charming cartoons, or mystical hybrids, snakes offer endless possibilities. Their elegant forms and fascinating personalities can shift from simple lines to complex artwork in just a few strokes.
So go ahead, unroll that paper, grab your sketch tools, and let the lines wind their way across the page.
Bonus Resources to Boost Your Snake Sketch Game
Need a little help along the way? Here are some handy tools:
- Printable tracing sheets with curled and coiled snake poses
- Easy pdf coloring pages for beginners and advanced artists
- Blank scene templates so you can drop your snake into different worlds
These resources are great for both structured practice and free-flow creativity.
(Click within the image to download the pdf printable sheet)
