Drawing a realistic giraffe may seem like a daunting task, but with a few tips and tricks, you’ll find that adding a giraffe to your artwork can be a fun and creative challenge. Follow this guide to create your own majestic giraffe art piece!
Gather Materials
From paints to pencils to canvases, you’ll need the right materials to get your realistic giraffe drawing started. Make sure to gather the supplies you need, like:
- Good quality paper or canvas
- Colored pencils, pens, markers, and paints
- Black and brown pencils
- Different size paint brushes
- Eraser
Find References
Before you get to work, find some reference images online to help you get started. Look up images of giraffes, study their anatomy, and make sure to note how their coats pattern and the variations in color. Use your references as guidance for your drawings, but also be creative and let your own artistic style guide your drawing as well.
Start Sketching
Now is the time to get your artwork started. Get your paper or canvas ready, and begin sketching a rough outline of the giraffe. Make sure to include the four thin legs, long neck, and big head of the giraffe to begin with. Remember to focus on proportions first, and then detail and shading will follow.
Add the Details
Now it’s time to add some details to your giraffe drawing. With the black and brown pencils, draw a pencil outline of the giraffe’s spots and any markings. If you’re using paint, use different shades of yellow, white, and brown to bring life to your giraffe’s coat. Make sure to add strokes of lighter, brighter colors to make your giraffe look illuminated. Also, use long strokes for the giraffe’s hair to make it look fuller for a life-like look.
Finishing Touches
Once you’re happy with how your giraffe looks, it’s time to finish off your work. Add the finishing touches, like small white highlights to certain areas of the giraffe to give it more realism and dynamism. Also, don’t forget to add details and shading to the hair and legs of the giraffe to give it some extra dimension and volume. If you’re painting your giraffe, add some grass or other scenery at the bottom of your canvas, and you’ll have a gorgeous giraffe artwork in no time!
