How to Draw a Polar Bear

Last Updated: June 18, 2021

Polar bears are considered to be the largest bear today. They are a threatened species and mostly live in the Arctic. Learn to draw one with these easy steps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
A Cartoon Polar Bear

1
Draw a tilted oval for the head.
2
Draw a curve for the snout and two circles for the ear.

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3
Draw a circle then draw an oval intersecting it for the body of the polar bear.
4
Draw two ovals for the front legs, add lines on the edges to for the claws.
5
Draw another two ovals with rectangles below each to make the hind legs. Add lines on the edges of the rectangles for the claws.
6
Draw the body of the bear using the outlines.
7
Make the face of the polar bear by drawing the eyes and mouth.
8
Erase the unnecessary outlines.
9
Color your polar bear.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
A Traditional Polar Bear

1
Draw the basic shapes for basis of our drawing. Sketch in a circle and an oval for the head (remember that that compared to most bears, polar bears have long snouts). Draw 2 large ovals for the body and a set of 2 ovals for each feet and don't forget to draw the paws.
2
Sketch in the ears, eyes and nose.
3
Sketch in the figure as shown, add in details like fur.
4
Outline our polar bear and erase guidelines.
5
Color it up and add shadows and you're done!

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Community Q&A

Question

What if I use pen?

Community Answer

Unfortunately, with pen, you cannot erase the marks that should be erased in this tutorial. However, if you start with pencil, you could then outline the final product with pen.
Question

Can I do a front view?

Community Answer

Of course, if you would like to. It is up to you.
Question

I don't get the erasing part at the end; can you explain?

LpsDawnShadow TV

Community Answer

It means that you should trace the outline with a black pen, then erase the pencil parts. You don't really have to do this, though; you can just color it without erasing.
Question

If you change the color, can it become a different bear species?

Community Answer

Most of the time no, each bear species looks slightly different. If you search images of bears online and look for the different types of bears (polar, brown, black, grizzly, sun bears, etc.), then you will see how different they each look. Then you will realize it's more than color; it's also size, snout shapes, patterns and general appearance.
Question

Can we colour it in pencil?

SunPuppy

Community Answer

Yes, coloring it in graphite pencil is perfectly fine, as polar bears are white.
Question

What gender is the polar bear?

SunPuppy

Community Answer

That's up to you. It's your decision to pick the gender you would like the bear to be.
Question

How do you get the fur to look realistic?

Community Answer

Take a look at images or photographs of real bears and fur to help you get a better understanding of texture and shadows. Try adding some lines or hatch marks in key areas will help your bear look shaggier and furrier.