Section 1
Beginning the journey of learning the art of drawing a hors can seem intimidating, but by taking small steps and investing the right tools, you can achieve beautiful results. Before you start, gather your best pencils and pens, your favourite eraser, and a nice piece of paper — it’s time to craft a majestic steed!
Be creative with your planning – allow yourself to play around with composition, layouts and perspectives. What do you want to focus on? Is your horse galloping with the mane flowing in the wind? A serene shot of the horse’s face? Or maybe a close up on the impressive hooves? Remember – the fun lies in the details, so let your imagination run wild.
Now that you’ve established the scene of your masterpiece, it’s time to focus on getting the proportions right. As with anything else, practice makes perfect, so focus on the measurements. Find yourself a reference photo or sketch out guidelines – look at the width of the neck and the length of the legs as a starting point. Expertly drew lines will form the basis of your entire art piece, so make sure to consider these during your planning.
Next, it’s time to bring your horse to life. Building up the fine details can be time consuming and tricky, but don’t be intimidated. Start with the eyes – they are the windows to the soul, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different shapes and sizes to find the feel you’re looking for.
You don’t have to recreate the reference photo entirely – take some creative liberties to make the hors your own. Add texture to the mane and tail for a more realistic look, and play with highlights and shadows to capture the subtleties of its form.
Section 2
For a dynamic and eye-catching drawing, take the time to accurately sketch out the facial features. A distinctive and charismatic muzzle can grab attention and add an extra flair of personality to your work. Work gently and carefully on the fine details with a sharp pencil, erasing any mistakes and adding the needed shading.
The legs of the horse should appear muscular and shapely, with each joint being drawn separately. Refine the shape of the hooves and make sure to include the individual toe nails, as these are essential in giving your horse the right visual depth. Remain true to the anatomy and be careful to plot the proportions of the body – the longer the legs, the higher the animal is built.
From this point onwards your mind should be clear and your pencils flowing. Without putting too much pressure, draw the highlights of the fur, the direction of the mane, and the details of the eye – all brought to life with little strokes and a gentle touch. Just as with a real hors, keep the view of the back rounded, to give it an organic shape, and add in the veins of the withers for an even more expressive look.
Now, with the details in place, bring out stronger details with smooth lines and thicker pencils. Refine the shape, add smatterings of hues, and carefully consider the various angles of the hors. A trick to make sure all angles look natural and in place is to compare the curves of the back against the ones of the neck – you’re trying to create a seamless transition between the two parts.
Section 3
Bring out the more exquisite details with bolder strokes and more intensive shading, with a specialty in the areas of interest. Make sure the darker parts of the horse to the lighter ones are clearly visible, as well as the difference between the mane and the tail. Put in all the details you want to never forget – remember you’re trying to bring the hors to life.
For the final touches, pick a few colours of your choice to add a layer of intriguing highlights to your drawing. Experiment with a hint of green to bring out the form of the mane, and a splash of pink to illuminate the hooves. With a few decorative accents, the drawing should have a sense of uniqueness and strong persona.
When you are satisfied with the results of your piece, take a step back and admire the beauty of your handiwork. Remember – drawing a horse takes a lot of precision and patience, but if you’ve put enough time and energy into the work, you should have a stunning piece of art.
For extra guidance, look up tutorials or ask an experienced artist for help – or find yourself a helpful live model – as inspiration can be tricky to come by. By investing your heart and soul in the process, you can create a drawing of a horse that will be admired for years to come.
Section 4
To make sure your drawing looks professional and polished, review your work and make some subtle changes. Focus on the lighter parts of your horses; try adding some extra highlights and shading, and trim off the extra details. Crisp up the angles, angles, and look at the eyes to ensure they look mesmerising.
Take this opportunity to check the proportions and the details once again – make sure the bridle and saddle are realistically placed, and the main’s texture is brought to the proper depth. The horse’s muscles should be defined and the eye should portray personality and strength.
You’ve almost come to a close – now, just sit back and look at your work. If some areas remain unfinished, work on them bit by bit, until you’re happy with the results.
Don’t be discouraged if things take time – the process of drawing a hors is a journey of its own. By embracing the challenge, taking your time and enjoying the process, you’ll be surprised by the beauty and energy of your design.
With your paper, pencils and a lot of creativity, your drawing will be sure to make an impression. Its impressive form, strong muscles and vivid details will bring many appreciative comments for years to come. Make sure to stand tall and enjoy the masterpiece you’ve crafted!
