How To Draw Dora The Explorer

Created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes, and Eric Weiner, Dora The Explorer made her debut on Nickelodeon in 2000 and quickly became a household name. This charming and educational animated series follows the adventures of a young Latina girl named Dora, who embarks on exciting quests with her talking backpack, Boots the monkey, and a host of other memorable characters. What sets Dora The Explorer apart and contributes to her enduring fame is not just her entertaining escapades, but also the educational value she brings to young viewers. The show incorporates interactive elements, encouraging children to participate and assist Dora in solving problems and overcoming challenges. Through her journeys, Dora teaches important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and basic Spanish vocabulary, while also promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity.

In this tutorial, Jorz.art will show you step-by-step how to draw Dora The Explorer. Together, let’s capture the essence of this beloved character!

How To Draw Dora The Explorer   

You can use pencils, erasers, colored pencils, markers, or digital drawing tools based on your preference. Use materials that allow you to achieve the desired level of detail and color.

Step 1 –  Drawing the Eyes

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 1 

Start in the center of your page. Draw the lower eyelids. Move to the left side. Draw a curved line that goes down and then back up on the outside. Leave a gap in the center. Repeat the same on the right side. Underneath the lower eyelid, draw a circle for the iris. Start from the outside and go one step in, then create an overlap by going around towards the top of the circle and back down. Connect the ends of the eyelid with a half-circle that goes up above the eye. Start from the left side, go up and leave a space at the top of the eye, and then bring it back down on the inside. Repeat on the right side. Draw a small circle on the left side of each iris for the highlight. Do the same on the right side. Inside the highlight, draw a smaller circle for the pupil. Start from the bottom, Fill in the pupils with black.m of the highlight, go around, and then back in. Repeat on the right side. 

Step 2 – Drawing The Nose And Mouse

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 2

In between the eyes, draw the nose. Start from the right side with a curved line that comes down and then in. Below the nose, draw the mouth. Start from the left side with a curved line that goes down the middle and back up on the right side. Add a bracket on the left side. Just below the mouth, draw a small curve for the lower lip. Above the eyes, draw the hairline. Start from the left side with a curve that goes up above the eyes and then back down on the right side. Add notches along the way. Start curving up above the left eye, add a notch, curve up and in, and taper it back down. Repeat on the right side.

Step 3 – Complete the Face

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 3

Let’s continue adding details to complete Dora the Explorer’s face! Imagine her hair flowing towards the sides of her head. Draw curved lines that curl up and out on both sides. Then, draw the lower part of her head by stepping in, curving out for the cheek, and coming down towards the bottom of her chin. Work your way back up towards the right side, curving out, and going underneath the hair. Now, it’s time to shape the sides of her hair. Start from the top of her head and curve out and down on both sides. Round out the bottom of her hair by starting from the front, curving out, and then up. To complete the head, curve the sides out towards the top, leaving a space in the center. Start from the left side, curl up, round out the head, and pull it into the right side. Repeat the same on the right side. Dora’s face is taking shape!

Step 4 – Complete Drawing the Hair

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 4

In the center of her head, add a V shape. Start from the little F and angle down and in towards the center, then angle back up towards the right side. Add a couple of strands of hair along the center, filling in the middle. Curl up and go over towards the right, then back to the center, curve out towards the left, and then up. Draw the back side of the hair by starting from the end and curving down and in behind her head, repeating the same on the right side. Fill in the inside area of the hair with black.

Step 5 – Drawing the Body

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 5

Let’s continue down the body! Start with the sides of her body, curving out from underneath her head and then down towards her waist on the left side. Repeat the same on the right side. Connect these two points with a curved line that goes down and then back on the right, forming the shape of her body.

Step 6 – Drawing the shoulder strap

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 6

Just underneath the head, draw the collar. Move to the side and draw the shoulder strap. Step out, curve out, and pull it in towards the side of the body. Repeat on the right side.

Step 7 – Drawing Dora The Explorer ’s Shorts.

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 7

In the center, draw a curvy line that starts from the left side, goes up, then down, and leaves a space in the middle. Imagine Dora’s feet standing confidently! On the left side, draw a straight line coming down towards the bottom of her shorts. Repeat the same on the right side. To give Dora’s shorts a nice rounded shape at the bottom, start from the inside on the left, curve down, and then up towards the outside.

Step 8 – Draw Dora The Explorer ’s Feet

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 8

Moving back up towards the hip, let’s draw the sides of Dora’s legs. Start on the right side, curve out, and then down. Tuck the legs underneath the shorts. From the inside corner of the shorts on the left, step in and draw a straight line coming down towards the bottom of the leg. Repeat the same on the right side, giving Dora’s legs a nice shape. Connect the bottom of the shorts with a curve that goes down and then back up on the right side, completing the outline of her shorts. Next, we draw her shoes. Starting from the bottom of the left leg, curve out and then back in towards the bottom of the leg to create her shoe. Repeat the same on the right side. Finally, we add details to the shoes. Draw a curve across the top of each shoe to represent the opening. Then, draw a curved line across the bottom of each shoe to create the sole.

Step 9 – Let’s draw the arms

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 9

To draw Dora The Explorer’s arms, start by drawing a curved line on the left side of her shirt for the left arm. Then, add a curved line for the upper arm and another curved line for the lower arm, ending with a small curve for her hand. Repeat the same steps on the right side for the right arm, mirroring the shape and proportions of the left arm. Take your time and make sure the arms match the rest of Dora’s body. With these steps, you’ll be able to draw Dora The Explorer’s arms and bring her to life in your drawing.

Step 10 – Let’s Color!

 Dora The Explorer Drawing Step 10

First, take a moment to consider the color palette you want to use. Dora The Explorer is known for her bold and lively appearance, so make sure to choose colors that reflect her energetic personality. Start by selecting the base colors for Dora’s outfit. Typically, she is seen wearing a pink shirt, orange shorts, and her signature purple backpack. These colors will make her stand out and look ready for her next adventure! Next, move on to coloring Dora’s skin. Dora is of Latina heritage, so her skin tone tends to have a warm and olive undertone. Use colors that capture her unique complexion and bring her to life. Don’t forget to color Dora’s iconic hair! She has short, dark hair with a flipped-out style. Use a combination of dark browns and black to achieve the desired hair color. Make it look as playful and adventurous as Dora herself!

Your  Dora The Explorer  Is Complete!

Congratulations on completing your Dora The Explorer drawing. Once you have finished coloring, step back and admire your masterpiece. Take a moment to think about the color palette you want to use. Dora is known for her vibrant and lively appearance, so choose colors that reflect her energetic personality. Bright shades like vibrant yellows, blues, and pinks often go well with her character. However, feel free to add your own artistic touch by experimenting with different hues and variations.

Tips On How To Draw Dora The Explorer 

Play with Poses: Experiment with different poses to add dynamic and movement to your drawing. Dora is often depicted in action, whether she’s running, jumping, or reaching out. Explore various poses to showcase her energy and enthusiasm.

Add Background Elements: Incorporate elements from Dora’s adventures into the background of your drawing. You can depict a jungle setting, a map, or iconic objects like Backpack or Swiper.’

FAQ On How To Draw Dora The Explorer 

Can I create a story or narrative within my Dora The Explorer drawing?

Absolutely! Your Dora drawing can be more than just a static image. You can create a dynamic scene that tells a story or captures a specific moment from her adventures. Consider including other characters from the show, such as Boots or Map, and depict them engaging in an exciting activity or overcoming a challenge together.

How can I incorporate cultural elements into my Dora The Explorer drawing?

Dora The Explorer celebrates cultural diversity, so incorporating cultural elements in your drawing can be a wonderful way to honor that spirit. You can include symbols, patterns, or traditional clothing from different cultures that resonate with you or pay homage to Dora’s Latina heritage. This not only adds richness to your artwork but also promotes inclusivity and appreciation for different backgrounds.