How to Draw a Raccoon

Raccoons are charming, playful creatures with their signature masked faces and bushy tails. They share some similarities with foxes — check out our fox drawing guide if you love woodland animals! If you’ve ever wanted to sketch a raccoon, you’re in the right place. This tutorial will guide you through easy steps to draw an adorable raccoon. Grab your pencil, and let’s begin!

Why Draw a Raccoon?

Raccoons make excellent drawing subjects because of their lively personality and unique appearance. Sketching them is not only fun but also helps improve focus, patience, and overall art skills. This tutorial works for both beginners and more experienced artists. If you enjoy forest creatures, you might also like our tutorial on drawing a bear.

What You’ll Need

Paper

Pencil for sketching and guidelines

Eraser

Black pen or marker for outlining

Colored pencils or markers for coloring

Printable raccoon guide (available via email subscription)

Recommended Supplies:

Crayola 140-Piece Coloring Set

24-Piece Crayon Set

A4 Printer Paper

Crayola Colored Pencils

HP Home Printer with Instant Ink

Time Required: About 15 minutes

Step-by-Step Raccoon Drawing

Step 1 – Draw the Head

Begin with a rounded shape for the raccoon’s head. Make the lower part slightly wider to create a cute, chubby appearance. Think of a soft oval with gentle bumps for the cheeks.

Step 2 – Add the Body and Front Legs

Draw two short lines downward from the head, and attach small ovals for the front paws. Keep them close together for balance. The body should be small, rounded, and slightly narrower than the head.

Step 3 – Draw the Hind Legs and Back

From the back of the head, sketch a gently curved line for the body. Draw the hind legs slightly larger than the front legs and place them a little apart to give the raccoon a stable, natural stance.

Step 4 – Sketch the Tail

Raccoons are known for their fluffy, banded tails. Draw a long, curved tail that extends behind the body. Add slight waves to make it look soft and fluffy. The tail should be big compared to the raccoon’s body.

Step 5 – Outline the Face and Ears

Add two pointy ears on top of the head. Then draw the raccoon’s signature facial mask – a rounded shape covering the eyes. This mask gives your raccoon its mischievous personality. The ears should have a slight curve at the tips.

Step 6 – Add Stripes to the Tail

Raccoon tails have stripes, so add curved lines along the tail. Make sure the stripes follow the tail’s curve for a natural look.

Step 7 – Draw the Eyes and Nose

Inside the mask, draw two small oval eyes. Place a tiny rounded nose in the center just below the eyes. Add small white highlights in the eyes for a sparkling effect.

Step 8 – Add Facial Details and Expression

Give your raccoon some personality! Draw small eyebrows above the eyes and a smile, curious expression, or surprised look on the face. You can also add whiskers or little blush marks to make it extra cute.

Step 9 – Color Your Raccoon

Bring your drawing to life with color! Use shades of gray or brown for the body, black for the mask and tail stripes, and soft pink for the nose and inside the ears. You can also experiment with shading to add depth and texture.

With these steps, you’ll have a charming raccoon drawing that’s perfect for displaying or sharing. Have fun experimenting with expressions, colors, and poses — every raccoon you draw can have its own personality!