How to Draw Rabbits & Hares

Learn how you can draw… or learn how to think when you draw with the Etherington Brothers!

Rabbits

Rabbits and hares are fluffy and squishy and cute!

I think those are good enough reasons to draw something!

Let’s begin with a quick look at the anatomy:

The radius and ulna bones (like our “forearm”) making up the front limbs are longer than the humerus (the upper bone of the limb)

Hind leg bones are longer and thicker, surrounded by far more muscle.

Feet are flat on the ground at rest, but up on toes when running.

Rabbit Heads

Here are a few notes on rabbit heads:

1. This is a common head profile shape.

2. Whiskers are very fine – show this by not even having them connect!

3. The eyes sit high on the head, in the top 3rd!

The nose is virtually flat.

4. The nose is virtually flat.

Movement

Here is a little step-by-step of how a rabbit moves:

1. Begin the movement low and stretch forwards.

2. Stretch hind legs out.

3. Spring forward, connect forepaw to hind legs for movement, and repeat steps 4 and 5.

Because we have so much need for stretching within movement, we get tons of characterful bunched and squashed volume in more static poses!

Hares

Although they are very similar, here are some important differences between hares and rabbits.

Overall, hares have a larger body, with longer ears and legs.

We can emphasize the unique details that are particular to the hare, by altering the way we draw them as a whole.

Choose poses which draw attention to the long limbs.

Keep them upright, to show their height and size.

Try exaggerating the curves for volume.

Position the ears at different angles for a sense of playful energy.

Ears

Not all ears are the same!

Here are some shape and angle variations for reference.