How to Draw a Centipede

1. Begin the centipede outline by drawing its head. Draw a partial circle, flattened on one side. At the front of the head, shade two teardrop-shaped eyes. Behind the head, use curved lines to enclose irregular, round body segments.

2. Draw eight more body sections, using a curved line to enclose each one. The centipede should be curved in a "C" shape.

3. Draw ten more body sections, using a curved line to enclose each one. These should angle in the opposite direction, forming an "S" shape.

4. Use a curved line to enclose a rounded pentagon at the end. Then draw fangs. From each side of the head, draw a curved triangle wrapping around the face. Band each fang with two short lines.

5. Draw two antennae extending from the front of the head. For each, use two long, loosely parallel curved lines, and allow each pair to meet at a point. Then, begin drawing the legs. Extend two legs from each segment, one on each side.

Use curved lines that meet at points to form the legs, noting the "corners" that form the joints. Contour the first segment with a curved line.

6. Draw the next seven sets of legs. Notice how those on the interior of the curve are angled toward each other.

7. Draw the legs of the next seven segments.

8. Finish drawing the legs along the remaining segments. Then draw the long, thick rear legs of the last segment.

For each one, draw two curved rectangles with rounded corners. These legs are large to mimic the appearance of the head, confusing predators.

9. Draw a rectangle and a triangle at the end of each rear leg, bringing them to a point. Band the antennae and legs with short lines to indicate the segments.

Your centipede outline is now complete. Color your drawing. Centipedes are often orange, brown, or black in color. Some are bright red or have yellow markings to warn of their venomous bite.