In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Hornet in 8 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Hornet.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Hornet - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: First draw the head and face. The shape of the head is almost tear drop shaped. Add a pointed line below it for the mouth. For the eye, draw an oval inside the head.
Step 2: Draw two long antennae by making very long lines that meet at a rounded point.
Step 3: Next draw a long curve out of the back but leave a space for the wing. Draw the wing like a bigger version of the antennae. Finally, add another small round shape inside the body. This will be the arm.
Step 4: Now add an 'M' shape for the middle leg. Make the left point out long, as the Hornet has long lender legs.
Step 5: Now, add the two smaller front legs.
Step 6: For the first hind leg, make an upside down 'v' shape in two parts. Add a small circle underneath with a small line cut into it for detail.
Step 7: Now, draw a long, round rectangle, but draw the end into a pointy tip. This is the stinger of the Hornet.
Step 8: Now add a few lines going up and down at several angles for the unique pattern shown. Color wings of the Hornet are reddish orange in and the body yellow with brown stripes.
Interesting Facts about the European Hornet
The hornet is the largest European eusocial wasp as well as the largest hornet in North America. The Queen is around 25 to 35mm in length, and the workers are slightly smaller at only 18 to 24mm in length.
Did you know?
- The hornet will sting in defensive of being stepped on or touched but if not bothered will avoid engagement
- It is a bad idea to bother their hive though, as hornets are very defensive of it and will attack if it feels threatened
- Hornets mostly eat large moths, bees and wasps
- The eyes of the hornet are shaped like the letter C and are extremely indented
- The wings of a hornet are reddish orange in color and the body it is yellow with brown stripes
- Hornets are attracted to lights when it is dark but will don’t have any interest in your human foods
Many people fear these creatures and have created myths such as 3 stings from a European Hornet can kill an adult human, which is not true. However due to the fears many hold towards hornets have led to destruction of nests and slowly an overall decline in the population of the species. Now some countries are making it illegal to kill a hornet nest.
How to Draw a Hornet – Step-By-Step Tutorial