GRID STEP. You can print out the base construction lines and start drawing on tracing paper, or you can draw the grid layout yourself using the following steps.1) Draw a rectangle that will define the conditional proportions and boundaries of the chosen drawing. 2) From the middle of the rectangle, draw one vertical and one horizontal line equally dividing the shape. 3) Draw another horizontal line equally dividing the upper half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a horizontal line equally dividing the bottom half of the rectangle. 4) Draw a vertical line equally dividing the left half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a vertical line equally dividing the right half of the rectangle.

STEP 1. Mark off the width and height of the gerbil. Draw two ovals that will help define the places for its head and body. Draw a line, which will act as the center of its head.

STEP 2. Sketch the body and neck of the gerbil. Draw a guideline for its tail.

STEP 3. Define the places for the leg, cheeks and ears of the gerbil.

STEP 4. Outline the shapes of the legs, ears and snout of the animal.

STEP 5. Draw the eye, nose, toes and tail of the gerbil. Pay special attention to the ears.

STEP 6. Add claws. Work on the figure, paying special attention to detail.

STEP 7. Contour the gerbil, trying to vary the thickness and darkness of the line. Add more detail and add the ground. Erase all guidelines.