Drawing a dog is a great way to keep your kids entertained and show off their creativity. It’s not as daunting as it may seem and with the help of a few tips and tricks, kids of all ages can be drawing their favorite canine companion in no time. Here’s how to draw a dog for your little artist!
1. Choose a Dog Breed
First, find a reference picture of a specific breed or mix of breeds or mix that you want to draw. On websites like Pinterest or Instagram, you can find lots of great ideas and plenty of inspiring photographs to choose from. Have your little artist pick a favorite and then you can get started!
2. Create the Outline
Using a pencil, start by sketching an outline of the dog’s body shape. A standard method for drawing a dog is to begin with an oval and then continue to refine the shape and draw the legs, tail, and head.
3. Draw the Details
When you’ve outlined the main body, it’s time to add details such as ears and fur. To make fur, use a series of small curved lines that overlap each other and look like a thick coat of fur. Also, don’t forget to draw the eyes and nose too!
4. Color and Shade
Once you’ve drawn the dog, it’s time to color it in. Use colored pencils for vibrant patches of fur or lighter shades for the softest areas of fur. To add depth, use a very light grey pencil or charcoal to lightly shade areas such as the nose and ear. This will make your drawing look much more realistic.
5. Finishing Touches
This is where you can have some creative fun. Draw a collar, add some accessories like a scarf or a hat, or draw a background scene such as a garden or park. Encourage your kids to get creative and draw a unique drawing that they’ll be proud to show off to their friends.
6. Showcase the Artwork
At the end of the session, have your little artist show off their artwork. Ask them questions about their drawing and talk about how it can be improved. Take a picture of the final artwork and hang it up in the house. This is a fun way to show your child’s creativity and also helps them feel proud of their accomplishment.
7. Draw with Different Mediums
Once you’ve tried drawing with pencil, you can experiment with other mediums such as paint or charcoal. These are great for creating larger artwork and can be great for showing your little artist the different techniques of art.
8. Get Inspired
Inspiration is everywhere – from books, magazines, movies, and even real life. Remind your kids to always look around them for new ideas and sources of inspiration. And don’t forget to have fun – that’s the most important part!
