A squirrel with its tail curled upward

Practice a squirrel’s upright body and large curved tail. A tucked forepaw, folded hind leg, and a few ear and toe marks explain the pose without dense fur.

A way into the drawing

1. Sweep the tail and body

   Draw the upright body first, then a broad tail curve rising behind it. Keep the tail wider than the torso.

2. Tuck in the limbs

   Place the small forepaws near the chest and a folded hind leg below. Add the near foot and a small hint of the far foot.

3. Choose a few details

   Add the eye, muzzle, ears, and a few toe marks. Use a few broad tail-edge tufts and small graphite accents in the ears and limb overlaps, leaving the tail open.

A small thing to tryMake the tail’s outer silhouette work before adding any tufts; the curve carries the pose.