Drawing snake scales doesn’t have to be a daunting task! If you’re feeling a bit hesitant about your artistic prowess, take a deep breath and relax. With a few simple steps, your snake scales will be slithering up the side of the canvas in no time at all.
The first thing to do is to be choosy about the colors you choose. Think about the snake you’re drawing and the colors they normally have. For example, if you’re drawing a cobra, you might want to use a navy blue and white combination to give it that classic look.
Another key part of drawing snake scales is to make them look shiny. There are various ways you can do this, such as using a metallic paint or sparkly glitter. However, you don’t have to be restricted to these options, as something as simple as adding a few droplets of water to the scales can give them an incredible shimmer as well.
A common way to make the scales stand out is to use contrasting colors. This means that when looking at the scales from the front, the two colors will appear to be the same. However, when looking from the side, the scales will appear to be darker from one side and lighter from the other. This contrasts the colors to give the scales a unique depth and amazing detail.
Drawing the individual scales is where things get a bit tricky. Many people start by drawing a single, circular scale and then expanding this by adding small triangles around the edge. This will create little ridges on each scale, making it look more realistic.
Another tip is to use a shading tool to create tonal values on the scales. This will give them further definition and make them stand out even more. You can use a pencil, charcoal or even a sponge if you’re feeling creative, to create these values.
Once you’ve created the individual scales, it’s time to start creating patterns. This will involve drawing lines and/or shapes onto the canvas and then subtly blending them together. This will take some experimentation to get right, but with a bit of practice, you’ll soon get the hang of it!
Finally, the last step is to highlight certain areas of the scales. To do this, you could use a light-colored pencil or a white paint pen to create small accents of light. This will help the scales really stand out and give them a realistic “three-dimensional” effect.
So you’ve got the basics now, it’s time to get creative and start drawing some amazing snake scales! With a few simple tools, some patience and a dash of experimentation, you’ll be proud of your final results and your scales will be the talk of the town!
Creating texture on the scales will help further accentuate the detail and make the scales look more realistic. This can be done by using various mark-making techniques such as cross-hatching or stippling which will create different levels of texture.
Once you have the texture on the scales, you can then use various blending techniques to create further depth. This can be done by lightly smudging out the lines of the scales, using a blending sponge or a soft brush.
Adding the scales to the overall snake is the fun part! Start off by outlining the shape of the body and then filling it in with the scales that you’ve created. Finally, you can use an eraser to make the scales stand out even more by creating highlights and shadows.
In order to make your snake look more realistic, you can also add a few extra details. This could involve using an airbrush to create shadows or adding some small spots and stripes to the scales themselves.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to drawing some amazing snake scales! Don’t be afraid to experiment and get creative, as the possibilities are endless.
