Drawing a Dragon Head Step By Step
Describing a dragon head as crooked, curvaceous and characterful is accurate, though it doesn’t quite do justice to the power and beauty of the creature. Nailing their look and feel is tough, yet with a few basic steps, you too can be drawing a dragon head in no time!
First and foremost, you need to choose your dragon. Are you going for an aesthetic beast, more fire-breathing terror, or something in between? Your choice will determine the overall look of your dragon and every step you take along the way.
Next, give your dragon some life. Utilize dramatic curves and deep lines that feel like they are dancing in the air. Think outside the box. How can you make your dragon’s head even more exciting? A pointed snout? Archenemy eyes? A halo of horns like a mythical cavalry?
When you’ve settled on a design, start by lightly sketching out the outline of the head, focusing on the shape and proportion without adding detailed features. Mark the center of your page, then start building your dragon from that point outward. Make sure to use an angled line and not a smooth, curved line. This will help you accurately measure the distance from the center of the page, making your dragon’s head more symmetrical.
Now it’s finally time to add features such as the horns, nostrils, eyes, and teeth. As you draw these details, take your time and draw slowly to ensure you get the shape right. Don’t forget to add the dragon’s signature fire-breathing expression, with smoke and flames billowing out of their mouth!
Adding Color and Depth to Your Dragon Head
Once you’ve perfected the shape of your dragon’s head, you can begin adding color and depth. Start by creating a scale pattern along their snout and neck. You can choose between either hard scales or scruffy scales. For example, on some dragons, the scale pattern can have an almost reptilian look with jagged lines. Others feature vivid scales in spectacular colors like red, yellow, and bronze.
Add shading and highlights to bring the dragon head to life. It’s best to start with light shading and gradually add darker tones as you move outward. This will make the details of your dragon head more pronounced. You can also add definition by using thin lines to bring out subtle features, such as small wrinkles between the eyes and nostrils.
Try bringing out texture as well. For example, if your dragon has a thin snout, use streaks and strokes of various shades of black to make it look more like the hide of a reptile. You can even add shadows or highlights in certain areas to give your dragon head a bit of grit and attitude.
Finally, you can add some extra details like spikes or feathers. You can also try experimenting with different colors, such as cool blues and purples, to give your dragon head a life-like look.
Defining the Dragon’s Features
The last step is to define the facial features of your dragon. If your dragon has an intimidating expression, use bold lines to bring out the details of their scowling face.Their eyes should be intense and piercing, their brow furrowed and menacing, their nostrils flaring in discontent. And don’t forget those sharp teeth – nothing says power like a set of shining ivory fangs!
If, on the other hand, your dragon is more playful, use soft lines and gentle curves to bring out its jovial features. Its eyes should sparkle like twinkling stars, its lips curled up in a happy smile, its brows full of life and personality. Its jaw should be slightly open, its teeth slightly bared, its tongue playfully outstretched – a sign of characterful friendliness.
Don’t be afraid to add further details like droccomings or doodles. You can use a light pencil or fine-tipped pen to draw patterns, shapes, or lettering on the dragon head. It adds a wonderful texture and adds life to the character.
Final Touches on Your Dragon Head
Now it’s time for the final touches: the dragon’s eyes and teeth. Draw a pair of eyes that match your dragon’s character. Make them angry and raging, or goofy and gleeful – it’s all up to you!
For teeth, use at least two big fangs to give your dragon head definition, as well as smaller pointed incisors that align with the jaw line. Use assorted shades of white, black, and gray to give the teeth a bit of dimension. If your dragon has a more menacing look, use line work to create a dramatic sense of depth.
Bringing the Dragon to Life
Now that you know the basics of drawing a dragon head, there’s nothing stopping you from breathing life into these mythical creatures! Have fun and be creative. Remember, the goal is to create a dragon head that captures the character of your dragon and brings it to life.
Create a powerful fire-breathing beast, or a gentle, playful creature – let your imagination wander and surprise yourself with what you can create. With a few basic steps, you can draw a dragon head that is truly unique and brings its character to life.
