Design Tips for Drawing Thanos
It’s no wonder why Thanos is one of Marvel’s most iconic and formidable villains. His ultimate goal of eliminating half of the universe’s population with just one snap elicited an entirely new level of fear and awe. What follows is a tutorial on how to draw not just the mad titan himself, but his Infinity Gauntlet as well!
Basic Proportions
It’s important to start with the basics: Thanos’s body proportions. This can be quite daunting, as the mad titan is much larger than most characters and his proportions tend to differ from those of normal superheroes. Start by sketching his silhouette, and make sure to note that he is broad and heavily muscled.
Adding Detail
Thanos is a daunting figure, and his physical features should convey this feeling. His skin should be as rocky and pockmarked as the surface of an asteroid, and there should be no doubts as to his strength and intimidating presence. To this end, you should draw a series of lines and contours to give depth and definition to his features. You can also add wrinkles to his face and clothes to convey a sense of age and wisdom.
Drawing The Gauntlet
Thanos’ signature weapon – the Infinity Gauntlet – is a force to be reckoned with. As with his physical features, it’s important to convey the feeling of power and menace, and the best way to do this is to render it with great detail. Start by sketching the outline of the Gauntlet, then add the six iconic Infinity Gems. Once all of the details are in place, you can then begin to add textures and shading, taking care to make every line and detail look as if it had been carved from a single diamond.
Coloring & Finishing Touches
Finally, it’s time to add some color to your masterpiece. Thanos’ skin tone should convey a feeling of power and indestructibility, while his armor should be painted a stark, metallic silver. The gauntlet should, of course, be colored to reflect the six Infinity Stones it holds, and add in some highlights and shadows to make all the details pop.
Adding Action & Motion
The real challenge when drawing Thanos comes when you try to make him come alive on the page. As he is often seen doing battle, action and motion should be evoked with a few very specific techniques. Start by adding dynamic lines to indicate flight or motion, then use motion lines to suggest the movement of objects like Thanos’ Infinity Gauntlet and the enemies he is facing. You can also use perspective techniques to give the impression of depth and scale to your image.
Creating Masks and Disguises
One of Thanos’ most intimidating techniques is his ability to change his shape, donning a variety of masks and disguises that make it difficult to identify him. To create these masks and disguises, it is best to start with a few basic shapes, then add details and textures to make them unique. You can also give each disguise a unique color palette to make it stand out.
Using Photos as Reference
It can be quite tricky to draw Thanos accurately, and the best way to ensure that your drawing is as accurate as possible is to use reference photos. There is an abundance of reference material available online, and these can be used to accurately capture the scale and proportions of the mad titan. Once you have a solid understanding of how Thanos is positioned, you can then refine and tweak your drawing as necessary.
Drawing Thanos’ Universe
To truly make your drawing of Thanos stand out, it’s important to draw the entire universe he inhabits. This includes the various planets and galaxies in the Marvel universe, along with the characters and creatures that inhabit them. When drawing these elements, try to capture the sheer magnitude of the Marvel universe and the sheer power and ferocity of Thanos himself.
Generating Dramatic Lighting Effects
Lighting is one of the key factors when creating a dramatic, action-packed drawing of Thanos. You should take care to capture the dramatic, powerful energy Thanos is known for, by using bright and intense lighting effects. Highlight his body and facial features to give the impression of raw power, while keeping the background dark to aid in the creation of atmosphere.
Tips For Capturing Thanos’ Rebellious Spirit
The last step of creating a stunning drawing of Thanos is capturing his rebellious spirit. This can be done by exaggerating certain details, such as his angle of attack, the fierceness of his gaze, and the size of his weapons. All of these elements will come together to create a powerful drawing that evokes the true nature of the mad titan.
