How to Draw the Lorax Step by Step
In each picture, the red lines show what to draw in that step. Everything in black was drawn in earlier steps.
Step 1: Draw the Lorax’s Body
Start with a tall oval in the middle of your paper. Make it a little narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, like a potato or a peanut standing up. It doesn’t need to be perfect. The Lorax is a bit lumpy, and that’s part of his charm.
Tip: Leave space below the oval for the legs and feet, and space on each side for the arms.
Step 2: Add the Eyes
Near the very top of the body, draw two small eyes side by side. Draw each eye as a half circle with a flat line on top, so the eyes look half-closed. Add a small pupil in each one. These sleepy, grumpy eyes are what make the Lorax look like the Lorax.
Step 3: Draw the Bushy Eyebrows
Above each eye, draw a big, fluffy eyebrow. Use short, spiky zig-zag lines instead of a smooth curve. This makes the eyebrows look furry. Let them stick out a little past the sides of the head.
Step 4: Draw the Nose
Just below and between the eyes, draw a small round nose. Keep it small. The mustache will cover most of the face in the next step.
Step 5: Draw the Left Side of the Mustache
Now for the most important part. Starting under the nose, draw a big, puffy shape that sweeps out to the left and hangs down past the side of the body. Make the bottom edge jagged with lots of little points so it looks like thick fur. Then erase the part of the body line that is now hidden behind the mustache.
Tip: Go bigger than you think. The Lorax’s mustache is almost as wide as his whole body.
Step 6: Finish the Mustache
Draw the right half of the mustache the same way, as a mirror image of the left side. Try to make both halves about the same size. Erase any body lines underneath.
Step 7: Draw the Left Arm
On the left side of the body, just below the mustache, draw an arm bent at the elbow. Bring the hand back to rest on the hip. Draw the arm as two lines that stay about the same distance apart, so it looks like a tube.
Step 8: Draw the Right Arm
Draw the right arm the same way. Now the Lorax stands with both hands on his hips — his famous “I mean business” pose.
Step 9: Draw the Left Leg and Foot
At the bottom of the body, draw a short, straight leg. At the end of it, draw a long, flat foot pointing out to the left. The Lorax has short legs, so keep this part small.
Step 10: Draw the Right Leg and Foot
Draw the second leg and foot on the right side, with the foot pointing the other way. Leave a small gap between the two legs.
Step 11: Clean Up the Outline
Erase any extra pencil lines, like the bottom of the body between the legs. Then carefully trace over your drawing with a black marker. Wait a few seconds for the ink to dry before you erase again, so it doesn’t smudge.
Common Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)
- The mustache is too small. This is the most common mistake. If your Lorax looks more like a potato with a beard, make the mustache wider so it hangs past both sides of the body.
- The mustache looks smooth, not furry. Use short zig-zag lines along the bottom edge instead of one smooth curve. Do the same on the eyebrows.
- The body is a perfect circle. The Lorax is tall and a bit uneven. Stretch the oval up and make the top narrower.
- The eyes are wide open. Wide-open eyes make him look surprised. Draw a flat line across the top of each eye so they look half-closed.
- The legs are too long. The Lorax has short little legs. Keep them shorter than the arms.
About the Lorax
The Lorax is a character created by Dr. Seuss. He first appeared in the book The Lorax, published in 1971. In the story, the small, orange, mustached Lorax speaks for the Truffula trees and warns the Once-ler about cutting them all down. The book became one of the best-known children’s stories about protecting the environment. It was later made into a 1972 TV special and a 2012 animated movie.
FAQ
What colors do you need to draw the Lorax?
You only need two colors. Use orange for the body, arms, legs and feet, and yellow for the mustache and eyebrows. A black marker is helpful for the outline. If you want a Truffula tree too, add pink, purple or bright yellow.
Is the Lorax easy to draw for kids?
Yes. The Lorax is made of simple shapes: an oval body, two small eyes, a round nose and a big fluffy mustache. Most kids aged 5 and up can follow the 12 steps. Younger kids can try the super easy 5-step version above.
How do you draw the Lorax’s mustache?
Draw it in two halves, one at a time. Start under the nose and sweep a big, puffy shape out to each side so it hangs past the body. Make the bottom edge jagged with lots of small points so it looks furry.
How long does it take to draw the Lorax?
About 20–30 minutes, including coloring. The outline takes around 10–15 minutes. Younger kids may need a little longer, especially for the mustache.
What supplies do I need?
Paper, a pencil, an eraser, a black marker, and orange and yellow crayons, markers or colored pencils. That’s all.
How do you draw a Truffula tree to go with the Lorax?
Draw a tall, thin, slightly curved trunk with stripes. Add a round, fluffy tuft at the top using bumpy lines, then color the tuft a bright color like pink or yellow. See the bonus section above for the steps.
Who created the Lorax?
Dr. Seuss created the Lorax. The character first appeared in his 1971 book The Lorax.
Can I use this tutorial in my classroom?
Yes! Teachers are welcome to use this tutorial and the free printables in their classrooms. It works well for Dr. Seuss Day, Read Across America and Earth Day lessons.