A cobra is an exciting snake to draw because of its famous spread hood and raised, S-shaped body. This easy guide shows kids how to draw a cobra step by step, starting with the curving body line and finishing with the hood pattern that makes it instantly recognisable.

The cobra is a great drawing for practising flowing, confident lines. Because the whole body is one long curve, you get to swing your pencil in smooth strokes instead of lots of small careful ones. Try drawing the S-shape in the air with your finger a few times before you put pencil to paper — this loosens your wrist and helps the body look graceful and alive rather than stiff and broken up into segments. Remember that the cobra is shown in its defensive pose, raised up off the ground, so the lower part of the S should look planted and steady while the head and hood lift proudly at the top.

🖍️ What You Need

  • Pencil for the guide curve
  • Eraser
  • Black fine-liner
  • Green and yellow coloured pencils
  • White paper

How to Draw a Cobra Step by Step

  1. Draw a tall, curving “S” line down the page — this is the snake’s body in a raised pose.
  2. At the top of the S, draw a rounded triangle for the head, tilted slightly forward.
  3. Behind and around the neck, draw the wide, flattened hood like a spread fan or spoon shape.
  4. Thicken the body by drawing a second line beside your S, getting narrower toward the tail.
  5. Add the tip of the tail as a thin point at the bottom.
  6. Draw two small eyes and a curved mouth, then add the forked tongue flicking out.
  7. On the back of the hood, draw the classic eye-spot or spectacle marking.
  8. Outline in fine-liner, erase guides, and colour the body green with a yellow belly.
💡 Parikshet's Tip: Make the hood wider than you think you need — a bold, dramatic hood is what tells everyone your snake is a cobra and not just an ordinary snake.

🌟 Did You Know?

A cobra cannot actually “spread” skin like a fan — it flattens its neck by spreading long ribs underneath, pushing the skin out into that famous hood. It does this to look bigger and scarier when it feels threatened.

Details That Make a Great Cobra

  • Add the spectacle mark on the hood — the king cobra and Indian cobra both have one.
  • Use light scales by drawing tiny curved lines along the body.
  • Show the tongue forked and curling for a lively, alert look.
  • Keep the body smooth and shiny by leaving a thin white highlight line down the middle.

🎯 Try This: Draw a Cobra in the Grass

  1. Draw your raised cobra in the centre of the page.
  2. Add tall blades of grass around the base of its body.
  3. Draw a small rock or sandy ground at the bottom.
  4. Add a warm yellow sky behind it for a desert scene.