Drawing a Bengal Tiger may sound intimidating but it’s easier than you think. With a little bit of patience and practice, you can create realistic and detailed tiger drawings. So gear up, get your art supplies and let’s get drawing!
1. Layout
Before you start sketching out your Bengal Tiger, it is important to have a good understanding of their anatomy and structure. To do this, spend a few minutes looking at images of Bengal Tigers to familiarize yourself with the body shape.
Once you grasp the basic structure of the body, sketch a rough outline of the tiger using a pencil. This can be a light sketch that just captures the overall shape of the tiger.
Draw the main parts of the tiger such as the torso, legs and tail. You can use a ruler to help draw straight lines if you need to. Consult reference images if you need help understanding the proportion of the elements.
Once you are done with the basic layout, erase your outline and lightly draw some guidelines that will help you draw realistic features.
2. Color
Once the layout is finished you can go ahead and choose your color palette. Choose a selection of yellow and orange shades that will help you bring out the beautiful orange and black stripes of the Bengal Tiger.
Once the colors are selected, use a pencil or a brush to fill in the body of the tiger. Make sure to leave some of the lighter shades at the outlines to make the transition between the stripes subtle.
If you are using a darker brush or pencil, keep it in the middle of the stripes to create a three dimensional look. Once you are done, you can use a blending tool to create a smooth transition between the colors.
3. Details
Now that the body of your Bengal Tiger is filled in, it’s time to add in the details. Start by drawing the small black stripes that cover the tiger. Keep them light and rework them until you have the desired effect. Once you are done, add in a few highlights to make the tiger look more realistic.
Next, draw the eyes, ears and nose. Use small, dark marks to indicate the black spots around the eyes and the nostrils. Use lighter shades to draw the fur around the eyes and the tips of the ears. Realistic eyes will really bring your Bengal Tiger to life.
Once you are done with the eyes and ears, refine the fur of the tiger by darkening and lightening certain areas to create texture. Make sure to use light and soft strokes as too much pressure will make the fur look stiff.
4. Finishing Touches
Now that your Bengal Tiger is nearly finished, it’s time to add some finishing touches. Start by blending the fur with a wet brush to make it look more natural and realistic.
Next, draw the claws of the tiger. Make sure to draw them long and sharp to give the impression of power. Lastly, use a white color marker to add shine to the eyes and highlights to the fur.
When you are done, stand back and admire your work. If you are not happy with the results, you can always make changes and rework certain areas. But with practice and a little bit of patience, you’ll be able to create a stunning Bengal Tiger drawing!
