How To Draw Agama Lizard
Drawing agama lizards can be a tricky endeavor for even the best-seasoned artists. With their unique coloration and colorful dewlap designs, it is no wonder that people get overwhelmed when attempting to recreate this appealing creature. But with the right tips and tricks from this guide, even a novice artist can capture the essence and vibrancy of an agama lizard, for a truly stunning piece of art.
To get started, adding a few artistic flourishes can make all the difference. Drawing with a thicker tipped pencil or pen will bring out the thick outline of the head and the body, while finer tip ones can be used to bring out the lizard’s color patterns and textures. Adding shading and highlights to certain areas can also create a more dynamic drawing and make the lizard pop off the page.
Contours and Color As with any animal, the anatomy of the agama is an important factor in the drawing process. Be sure to pay attention to the curve of the head, the bump of the neck, the shape of the snout, and the body’s voluptuous form. This knowledge, when combined with awareness of where the agama’s natural coloring lies, will help you hone in on capturing the beauty and intricacies of the creature.
Using tight and loose contours will give your agama lizard a sense of motion, as if it’s about to take off running. Smoothing out the lines from time to time will also give a sense of realism to the creature, as it can look too geometric otherwise.
The lizard’s coloration will vary depending on the species, but for the most part, you can start by highlighting the eyes and the patterning on their dewlap and then darken or lighten the colors depending on the general color pattern of the agama. Adding highlights and shadows over the coat can also both create a more realistic look, as it will show that some areas are light-catching and some recessed.
Adding Details and Final TouchesOne last detail that you can add to your piece to make it stand out is a sense of texture. This can range from scales on the legs and head to a sieve-like pattern on the snout, among many others.
Once you have added all the details you desire, it is time for the final touches. An agama’s eyes are typically personable, with a slightly mischevious look to them. If you can achieve a sense of life in them, then you will have nailed the character of your bow-legged friend.
Creating the Background
Now, for the background of your lizard’s portrait. Stones and deserts are popular choices for agama lizards, offering the creature a sense of grounding and occupation. When drawing a desert background be sure to add some interesting details such as shrubs and cacti, as well as patterns of rocks. The same can be done when creating a stone background – adding a few pointed rocks and craggy slabs can add a sense of authenticity to the setting.
Generally, with a background, you want to let the lizard be the main focus of the piece, rather than the surrounding elements. This makes it easier to provide the viewer with a sense of immediacy and a connection to the creature itself.
Proper Proportions are Key
Achieving proper proportions is essential to drawing an agama lizard. Be sure to take your time and get the structure just right. This way, once you go in to coloring and adding the final touches, your piece will be more unified and pleasing to the eye.
Having a reference image will be a great help in determining the proper dimensions. You can also make a quick sketch as a guide, where you can block out the sizes of each feature before going in to the intricacies of the drawing. And as always, try to feel out the creature as you draw it – its personality and energy – as that is where truly great art lies.
Bringing it All Together
By following the steps outlined above, even novice artists should be able to create a stunning and vibrant portrait of an agama lizard. Pay attention to the details, but don’t get too caught up in them. Having a strong curiosity for the creature and its anatomy combined with knowledge of the tools you are using to draw will be the key to capturing the unique character of the lizard.
And don’t forget to use bright contrasting colors to create a captivating piece. Dabbles of brilliant blues and oranges, along with realistic shading, will be sure to make your agama lizard come alive. With these tips and tricks, crafting a truly breathtaking image of an agama lizard may just be the perfect way to share this wonderful creature with the world.
