How to Draw a Goldendoodle in 9 Nifty Steps

Goldendoodles are adorable, fluffy, and full of personality, making them a fantastic subject for artists of all skill levels. With their curly coats, expressive eyes, and friendly demeanor, capturing the essence of a Goldendoodle in a drawing can be a rewarding experience.

Whether you’re a beginner just starting your artistic journey or an experienced artist looking to refine your pet portraits, this step-by-step tutorial will walk you through the process of how to draw a Goldendoodle.

Materials Required

Before we dive into the drawing process, let’s gather the materials you’ll need:

Drawing paper or sketchbook
Pencils of various hardness (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
Eraser
Blending stump or tortillon
Reference image of a Goldendoodle (either a photograph or a printout)

Now that we have everything ready, let’s get started with the drawing process!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Draw a Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are known for their fluffy, curly coats, expressive eyes, and playful personalities—making them a fantastic subject for artists of all skill levels. Whether you’re drawing a Goldendoodle dog for a pet portrait or just for fun, this step-by-step guide will help you bring this lovable breed to life on paper.

Step 1: Sketch the Basic Outline

Begin by lightly sketching the basic structure of the Goldendoodle using a hard pencil (HB or 2B). Start with a large, rounded circle for the head, as Goldendoodles have soft, rounded faces. Add a smaller, oval-like shape beneath the head for the muzzle. This will help establish the proportions of the face.

Pro Tip: Keep your lines light and loose so you can easily make adjustments later.

Step 2: Draw the Facial Features

Now, let’s add the face! Use a reference image to carefully position the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Draw two round or almond-shaped eyes slightly above the middle of the head.
Inside each eye, add smaller circles for highlights to make the eyes look shiny and expressive.
Sketch a small oval for the nose, making sure it’s proportionate to the muzzle.
For the mouth, draw a gentle curved line extending downward from the nose, adding small curves at the ends for a soft smile.

Take your time adjusting the facial features until you’re happy with the expression.

Step 3: Sketch the Floppy Ears and Wavy Hair

Goldendoodles have adorable floppy ears covered in curly fur.

Sketch two soft, curved shapes on either side of the head, letting them hang slightly below the chin.
The ears should appear slightly rounded at the bottom, rather than pointed.
Then, use light, wavy strokes around the face to begin shaping the fluffy fur.

Don’t stress about perfection! The key is to create a natural, textured look rather than perfectly symmetrical ears.

Step 4: Draw the Body and Legs

Extend the head outline downward to sketch the Goldendoodle’s fluffy body.

Use curved lines to connect the head to the shoulders, keeping the shape rounded and soft.
Sketch the front legs slightly apart with paws resting gently on the ground.
Add the back legs partially tucked behind the front ones, following the natural posture of a relaxed dog.

Goldendoodles have slightly stocky, well-proportioned bodies, so avoid making the legs too thin.

Step 5: Draw the Fluffy Tail

A Goldendoodle’s tail is long, slightly curved, and full of fluff!

Extend a curved line from the back of the body to indicate the tail’s natural movement.
Use short, wavy strokes to add the soft, feathery texture of the fur.

Make sure the tail’s fluffiness matches the rest of the drawing for consistency.

Step 6: Add Fur Details and Texture

To capture the Goldendoodle’s signature curly coat, use light, curved strokes all over the body.

Around the face, chest, and legs, sketch small overlapping loops or waves to mimic curly fur.
For a shaggier look, use longer strokes on the ears and tail.
Around the muzzle, make the fur softer and slightly straighter, as Goldendoodles have shorter fur in that area.

Keep the strokes random and organic—you don’t want it to look too uniform!

Step 7: Add Depth with Shading

Now, let’s make your Goldendoodle drawing more realistic by adding shading!

Use a soft pencil (4B or 6B) to shade under the ears, around the eyes, and along the body’s curves.
Gently shade under the chin and belly to create a sense of volume.
Add subtle shadows under the paws and tail for a grounded look.
Darken the nose and inner parts of the eyes for contrast.

Use a blending stump or tissue to gently soften the shading where needed.

Step 8: Refine and Clean Up the Drawing

Now, take a step back and assess your work.

Erase any unnecessary sketch lines and adjust the shape where needed.
Darken the main outlines of the face and body to give the drawing more clarity.
Add final touches of shading and fur details to make the drawing feel complete.

Step 9: Optional – Add Color!

If you want to bring your Goldendoodle to life with color, use:

🖌 Colored pencils or soft pastels for a natural, blended look
🖊 Markers for a bold, cartoon-like effect
🎨 Watercolors for a soft, artistic touch

Use warm tones like golden yellows, light browns, and creams to capture their signature coat color.

Final Thoughts on How to Draw a Goldendoodle

Amazing job! 🎉 You’ve successfully drawn an adorable and realistic Goldendoodle!

By following these steps, you’ve learned how to:
✅ Sketch the basic structure and proportions
✅ Add realistic fur texture and curls
✅ Shade and detail to create depth and dimension
✅ Capture the lovable personality of this popular breed

Remember, practice makes perfect—so keep experimenting with different poses, expressions, and artistic styles! ✨

Now, grab your art supplies and keep drawing more furry friends! 🐶🎨