Instructions
If you’re looking to take your art skills to the next level, learning how to draw a flying dragon is an exciting challenge. Expressing the dragon’s full grandeur and awe-inspiring nature can seem intimidating. But with the right tips, you can craft a beautiful cartoon dragon in no time!
First off, you’ll need to pick a perspective. You can draw it from an overhead angle to showcase the wingspan, a profile view so the audience can almost feel the wind under the dragon’s wings, or depict it in motion so the audience can almost hear the sound of its telltale roar. All these compositions present unique opportunities to evoke emotions.
Next, decide its proportions. A dragon’s body should be thick and sturdy relative to its wings, tail and head. To bring the dragon’s strength to life, give it powerful limbs and extra-long claws. But also be aware of its environment. Rather than simply sketching a dragon with regular planes and straight lines, treat it more realistically by incorporating elements that make your artwork come alive, such as from its natural environment.
Time to pick your colors. For a pleasing scene, use contrasting colors that will show the dragon’s dominance in the environment. And if you’re feeling a little daring, incorporate some fiery highlights to bring your dragon to a new level of realism – making sure to accentuate its horns, spikes and wings.
Finally, don’t forget the details! Whether you use realistic or exaggerated features, make sure to bring out the dragon’s character. Go wild with texture, shading and a dynamic pose to make it seem alive. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and use exaggeration to bring out its intensity and create a magical design.
Supplies:
Before you get into the creative process, it’s important to get the basics down. Pencils, erasers, and a good sketchpad are the bare necessities. But don’t forget about the wide variety of quality markers, colored pencils, and even paints that help draw out the finer details.
Sketching:
Doing a quick sketch will help you set up the foundation for your design. This is a great first step that allows you to free yourself from expectations and let your imagination soar. Put your best ideas into practice by sketching and erasing until you feel happy with the composition.
Outlining:
Once you have your composition down, it’s time to start outlining. Drawing your dragon’s wings and frame is a great way to give it structure and motion. Don’t forget to draw the claws, horns and details. These amazing features will breathe life into your dragon and make it look as majestic as possible.
Coloring:
Now that the dragon is sketched out, it’s time to start experimenting with colors. Pick a few layers of vibrant hues and shadows to help the dragon come to life. Make sure the colors blend naturally – and don’t forget to add the fine details such as scales and wrinkles.
Adding Finishing Touches:
No artwork is complete without some finishing touches! Incorporate shadows to give it extra depth and perspective. And add highlights to make it stand out from its environment. Finally, look for any areas you may have missed and refine them. Now your dragon is ready to take flight!
