How To Draw A Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are one of the most popular breeds in the world, and rightfully so. They’re cheerful, loyal, and companionable. It’s no wonder that so many people enjoy drawing them. But the intricate fur, droopy eyes, and pointy ears of a Cocker spaniel can make it a bit of a challenge. With a bit of practice and patience though, anyone can learn to draw one of these adored companions.
Step One: Start with the Easy Stuff
Before you dive in with the more complicated details, start with the basic shape. Sketch out an oval for the body and two circles for the eyes. For the tail, draw a line that curls to the side.
Step Two: Sketch in the Fur
Once you’ve got your basic outline, begin go wild with sketching in the fur. Cocker Spaniel fur is thick, wavy, and hangs down to their eyes. Add tufts on their head, long fur around the chest, and wavy fur around their bottom.
Step Three: Trace Out the Mouth and Ears
Use curved lines to trace out the droopy ears, and use a ‘U’ shape for the mouth. Both of these features should be reasonably exaggerated for the cute factor.
Step Four: Refine and Color
Use your eraser or a smudge tool to clean and refine your sketch. For the fur, you can use a series of curved lines to create an organic, wavy look. Once you’ve got that final sketch, time to color! For the fur, you can use browns, tans and light greys. Set off the facial features with dark brown or black.
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Step Five: Pay Attention to Detail
One of the things that sets Cocker Spaniels apart are their pointed ears and adorable eyes. Use a fine tipped art tool to draw in the sharp edges of the ears and color in the eyes. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even add a hint of red in the corner of the eyes. This will make them stand out.
Step Six: Add the Finishing Touches
Once you’ve got all the detail in, go over the sketch with a thicker line to make the outlines of your spaniel as sharp as possible. Your sketch should now look realistic and graceful. To give it a finished look, go over all the lines you made and make them a crisp black.
Step Seven: Accessorize
You don’t just have to draw a plain Cocker Spaniel either. While some of them might be content to just lounge around (as any good pup should), you can outfit yours with whatever accessories you’d like. Give it a bright collar covered in sparkles and a cute little bandana. For the more adventurous, why not give them an exploratory hat?
Step Eight: Display and Enjoy
Once your masterpiece is complete, don’t forget to show it off. Hang it on your wall, frame it, and stare lovingly at it whenever you need a dose of cuteness. Best of all, you can use your new drawing to create greeting cards, apparel designs, and more.
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Step Nine: Try out a Different Perspective
For your next drawing, why not take a different angle? From the front, side or back, drawing a Cocker Spaniel is just as enjoyable. Plus, it allows for a different point of view and perspective on the animal. Draw the tail in a different position, tweak the fur around the face, or change the shading to create a different attitude.
Step Ten: Go Wild
Feel free to let your artistic expression break free and start playing around. Try out different techniques to add texture, like incorporating stippling or crosshatching. You can even add a splash of color with watercolor or fabric dyes to make your Cocker Spaniel extra vibrant.
Step Eleven: Have Fun
Above all, have fun with your drawing. Whether it’s a realistic representation or a cartoonish design, your pup should look like it’s enjoying its time in the spotlight. Let your art style shine and don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Step Twelve: Take it to the Next Level
Once you’ve become a pro at sketching your favorite pup, why not challenge yourself? If you want to attract an audience or network, upload your art to social media and start building a fanbase. With enough patience and practice, you could even become a professional illustrator!
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Step Thirteen: Look at Other Drawings
Another way to succeed with your Cocker Spaniel artwork is to look at other people’s drawings. Whether that’s in person or online, it’s a great source of inspiration. Doing this allows you to see how different art styles approach the same subject and gives you new ideas on how to make your pup more creative.
Step Fourteen: Keep Practicing
Drawing isn’t an exact science. It’s an ongoing process that requires patience and repetition. Learning to sketch Cocker spaniels takes practice, so don’t be too hard on yourself if a drawing doesn’t come out perfect. Just keep sketching and tweaking, and eventually, you’ll get your dream pup.
Step Fifteen: Show your Pup Love
Once your Cocker Spaniel pup is finally complete, it’s time to give them some love. Whether it’s getting a treat for a job well done, or giving them an extra belly rub, show your pup that you appreciate the time and effort they put into your project. Maybe make it a cute framed portrait they can hang over their bed?
Step Sixteen: Don’t Stop Learning
Finally, don’t forget to keep exploring new art techniques. Whether its realism, cartooning, or comics, the more lessons you learn, the better your art will become. Draw what sparks joy and keep challenging yourself. Before you know it, you’ll have a full litter of Cocker Spaniels, each as unique and lovable as the others.
