How To Draw Gargoyles
Gargoyles can be seen perched atop of buildings and castles, wearing sinister grins and intimidating postures. But drawing a gargoyle can be a lot easier than you think! Here’s how to create a creepy, captivating gargoyle of your own.
Visualize Your Gargoyle
To start off, you have to conceptualize your gargoyle in your mind. Take note of the features you want your gargoyle to have; is it a brute with fierce horns and a boulder-like body? Is it a stealthy skulker that peers over a window? Staying true to the figure’s design can make a difference in your finished product.
Be sure to pick a posture that’s appropriate for the look you’re going for. Do you want your gargoyle to appear somber and vigilant, or do you prefer its face to be creased with a smirk? You can even look for examples of gargoyles in art and TV for inspiration.
Sketching The Outline
Now that you have a clear picture of your gargoyle in your head, it’s time to transfer it onto paper. It’s easy to underestimate the importance of a simple sketch– but as any artist would know, it’s the foundation of every picture. Gather the right tools– like graphite pencils, erasers and rulers– before starting your masterpiece.
The outline of your gargoyle should be carefully and precisely drawn. Pay attention to detail while sketching–is its neck bent in a certain angle? Are its eyes wide and menacing? Keep in mind that your sketch should be light– having well-defined lines will make the inking process much easier.
Inking Your Gargoyle
Inking your gargoyle will bring it to life! Look at your sketch one last time and make sure all the details are still fresh in your head before continuing. Pick a marker or pen with a thicker tip for better accuracy, and begin by tracing the entirety of the figure. This is the outline that gives shape to your gargoyle.
Next, it’s time to add in the details– if the gargoyle has wings, horns, claws or scales, draw them in next. Once you’re done, feel free to add an extra spray of texture by filling in parts of the outline with rough scratches or dotted lines.
Making Your Gargoyle Pop
Now that your gargoyle is outlined, it’s time to give it a dash of color. You can use a medium like charcoal pastels, markers or colored pencils to do this. Try using a combination of contrasting colors that bring out the monster’s machismo– chrome with navy blue, or red-on-black, for example.
When you’re finished, step back and marvel at your creation– you’ve created something with your own two hands! You can continue to shape your gargoyle by adding some shading, or expressing its attitude with body language. Best of luck on your artistic journey into drawing gargoyles.
Finesse Your Gargoyle
Making adjustment to your gargoyle will improve its look greatly. To make it more dynamic, you could alter its stance by shifting its weight onto one foot instead, or fold its wings close to its body. Fiddling with the shape of its snout or tweaking the uplift of its tail is another way you could personalize the figure.
Lavish your gargoyle with love and attention. A gargoyle is only as menacing as what it’s gazing upon, so don’t skimp on details like its claws, furrowed brows and hunched shoulders. Have fun and come up with interesting ways to add character to your figure.
Express Your Gargoyle’s Feelings
By now, you’ve probably drawn a gargoyle that looks aggressive and intimidating. But don’t forget about the emotions of your creation. You can try different things to show the creature’s feelings– tiny claws gripping onto the roof of a tower, bat-like wings opened wide in an eager swoop, or curled up in a corner with its tail in between its legs.
You can also paint your gargoyle’s feelings by applying colors that reflect its emotions. Consider the contrast between primary colors, like a bright yellow to signify warning and caution, or a smooth lavender to show sleek confidence. If you want to, you can even match the figure’s looming posture with an unfriendly expression.
Put The Finishing Touches
Once you’ve filled your creative canvas with colour and texture, it’s time to sign your work. Putting your own unique touch to the end of the painting will show your satisfaction with the final result. Something as simple as your initials, or even a heart or a star to mark the creature’s special feature– it’s entirely up to you.
The same goes for background. You can leave it plain to make the creature stand out, or draw a castle or rooftop for the gargoyle to perch on. If you’re feeling adventurous, the online world is brimming with ideas that you can draw from. Just remember to seal your work in a medium that will last!
