Aspiring dragon artists, you are in luck! Drawing dragons does not have to be intimidating. You can have a killer dragon illustration with just five simple steps. So, put your nerves aside and let’s get sketching!
#1: Get familiar with Dragon Anatomy
The key to getting any realistic-looking drawing is to know the basics of your subject’s anatomy. Unfortunately, dragons don’t exist so you’ll have to research. General anatomy, shapes and sizes will go a long way to make your work look more realistic. While browsing, you may find references of dragons with wings, and those without. Pay attention to the body structure, ridges and tails. To keep things simple, go through different images and choose the one you want to illustrate.
#2: Start Sketching
It’s recommended to start with a pencil and paper. This way you can easily erase and retrace where something isn’t quite working. Draw lightly so you won’t have any visible pencil lines in the end; the best way to achieve that is to use a 4B pencil or softer. Begin by sketching the lead features such as the head and the back wings, as well as add in the limbs.
#3: Add in Details
Once your basic sketch is complete, you can start adding details. This can be done by widening the features such as the eyes and adding little details such as its nostrils, ears, scales and claws. You can even add extra features such as horns and tail spikes.
#4: Get creative
If you want your dragon to look extraordinary, this is the time to get creative. Start by adding texture to the body and wings. You can also add more color to your dragon with markers and watercolors, as well as adding more details such as spikes and horns. The possibilities are endless- the sky’s the limit!
#5: Final Touches
This is the last step: the final touches. Make sure you go over the entire figure to check for omisions and see if there is anything you need to add or erase. This step will also help tie everything together to create the perfect dragon.
#6: Enjoy!
You did it! Give yourself a pat on the back for creating this one-of-a-kind dragon illustration. To share your glorious work with the world, scan it or take a picture and post it for your friends and family to see.
