How To Draw How To Draw Dragons

And then, you lot want to draw dragons, but aren't really sure where to start. That'south okay, we all have to offset somewhere.

I thought it'd be fun to share my thoughts on these mythical beasts, and my approach to drawing them. Delight proceed in listen this is how I depict them. You lot don't have to draw them this way if y'all don't desire to. Later all, they are a part of our imagination!

Pace one: Where to Outset

Since dragons aren't exactly in reality land, there comes the question of what in the world could we possibly base them on? Well, at that place'southward a couple of options.

For me, they unremarkably current of air up as a combination of several animals that take existed, every bit well as plenty of animals that are alive and well today. At that place'southward enough of references to go around, if you know how to use them.

Dragons with wings tin be difficult, but bats have the perfect wing structure. Essentially, their easily are their means of flying, and if you look closely, the ligaments in the wings look like long slender fingers.

Cranes are another animate being that we can wait to for guidance. I more often than not expect to birds for how their heads/necks run into. Birds, in general, are actually very good reference for an entire dragon.

I look at dragons and definitely think reptile. Therefore, I look at LOTS of reptiles. ALL manner of reptiles. Lizards, snakes, turtles… anything I tin can get my hands on. They provide me with full general looks, eye placement, and texture.

And of class … DINOSAURS.

Step two: Structure

Now that we are armed with a variety of references, it is now time to really put them into a believable animate being pattern.

Since dragons can literally be … annihilation, this can exist rather daunting. Without a limit, things can get a lilliputian crazy and you can even get lost in the cartoon, floundering nigh and wondering where the legs get. Basic shapes should save you, along with your mile-long list of references, where nosotros Practise know where the legs go.

Below are some examples of how I brainstorm to describe a dragon. All kinds, not just Eurocentric.

I combine A LOT of knowledge with my basic cartoon shapes, like muscles, joints, amid other things. For me, how yous connect the caput to the neck is VERY of import.

There's fat, skin folds, os thing, things that nosotros can't meet that go underneath the skin. In society to continue that massive head up, there needs to exist something substantial in that location.

You tin make the dragon look threatening, docile, even unsure. Just with the position of the neck and head.

Putting a caput to a body can exist even more challenging. Just ever effort to keep real animals in your listen when putting your dragon together. Even man anatomy can help you.

I typically place the neck atop a ribcage.

Step 3: Amalgam the Limbs

The limbs can exist just every bit unique as the dragon you lot're drawing them for, and just every bit annoying to make certain they actually fit the animate being. Still using our references from life though, nosotros can really pack some punch.

Claws, talons, wings. These are a few of my favorite things.

I'm one of those people who theme my dragons. What I mean by that is that I try to give the dragon I'1000 drawing a certain wait. With this guy, he'll slightly keep the classic European dragon ideal, merely with some slight twists.

Lately, I have been attempting to make a jungle lord-like dragon. Keeping that in mind, I requite it limbs that I think will match that theme.

A rather unique problem with drawing dragons is that if you lot want to requite your dragon arms, legs, AND wings, yous're actually going to be making upward some interesting anatomy, because you're substantially adding a third prepare of limbs. This makes making up anatomy an interesting challenge.

Technically, you CAN just stick a fly onto a dragon with 4 limbs already and telephone call it a day … buuut…

I like to retrieve of it as if I was making a multi-limbed man-like monster. A dragon's got to have muscle and tendons to move that wing … definitely experiment with your own ideas, and you might exist surprised what you lot come with.

Footstep four: The Crown

A lot of dragons have that ane singled-out trait: the Horns. Horns on existent animals tend to be a part of the skull; a piece of bone that extends by the skin. Just like nails, claws, and spines.

You lot tin can certainly get wild coming upwardly with the crown of your dragons. In that location are the traditional two-pronged horns, but why end there?

Step 5: How to Put it All Together

So, you lot have all this information. How exactly do nosotros really put a mythical creature like this together?

I'g non going to lie, it takes practice to practise so. Not to mention you lot need to have an eye for design. Here, nosotros're going to talk about how to get from point A to signal B.

You'll likely won't become the results yous want, unless y'all understand musculus and bone structures. Understanding how arms and legs move, equally well as how bones can requite you harsh edges, volition eventually get you more than sophisticated looking dragons. Imagination and vision are great, but it can just final for then long earlier things start getting a little as well unbelievable.

Knowing when and how to apply the tools at your disposal is what separates beginners from veterans.

With more than practice comes the power to create dragons that push the boundaries of the traditional await.

Having a listing of what your dragon can do typically helps me in designing what a dragon will look like. Nosotros tin use my jungle dragon concept as an instance.

Time to employ what nosotros know to put this dragon together.

These are only just some examples of what you can do. Don't be agape to explore, and don't be afraid to see what other artists practise. In that location are some pretty crazy, just astonishing, dragons out at that place!

I may or may not have had some fun attempting to emulate my favorites. You can learn a lot from your inspirations.

I promise you guys institute this helpful. Good luck with your hereafter drawings!