dragoart mobile
NormalCompactSlideShowDraw Sheet
Uploaded: July 15, 2013
Artist: TheLastStarlighter
Difficulty: Intermediate  Intermediate Skill Level
Steps: 14
Updated: July 15, 2013
P.O.V: Na
Favourited: 112 times
Artist comments

This is a tutorial for anyone who wants to learn how to draw a pretty simple dragon, or anyone who wants to learn some different textures or shading... This tutorial shouldn't take too long, but try not to rush through it if you want a good result :) I apologize for the bad camera quality :(

how to draw a dragon

How to Draw a Dragon

how to draw a dragon step 1


Start off with a normal or mechanical pencil to draw a basic circle for the head, copy where i put the intersecting lines, the top horizontal one is to line up where the eye and the horn will be. the bottom horizontal one and the vertical one are to line up where the top and bottom jaw will connect and extend from the head. try to curve them with the shape of the head.
how to draw a dragon step 2


Using the guideline for the top jaw, draw a rectangular shape extending off the main circle. draw a small circle just above the eye guideline and put two triangular shapes beside it, like so. above the eye, make a sort of half rectangle shape above the eye for the dragons brow.
how to draw a dragon step 3


Add in the other brow on the opposite side of the head. Using the bottom jaw guideline, draw in the curving bottom jaw, make sure you draw the other side of the bottom jaw since it's mouth is open and from this angle we can see the inside of its mouth. Draw the chin underneath up to the jaw line near it's neck.
how to draw a dragon step 4


Now add in the horns ans spikes. Use the horn guideline to line up the biggest horns.
how to draw a dragon step 5


Now "carve" out the spikes along the bottom jaw from the line you drew earlier, make them irregularly placed and sized. Add in the teeth, also irregularly spaced and sized, but make the biggest teeth closer to the front, since that is where they would do the most damage. Also add in the fin-like material in the corner of the mouth.
how to draw a dragon step 6


Now add in the tongue, you can decide whether you want it forked or not. Also add in the back of the neck and the spikes along it.
how to draw a dragon step 7


Now you can add in the rest of the neck, you don't have to add the detail to the under belly scales, since we end up erasing them anyways.
how to draw a dragon step 8


Now, using transfer paper, a light table, or a window, trace your sketch onto a fresh piece of paper without all the guidelines. P.S it also works to just erase the guidelines, but that can make your drawing look messier or leave indents in the paper.
how to draw a dragon step 9


Using a Black Prismacolor Colored Pencil, (not essential, you can just use your pencil if you dont have one)Fill in the darkest areas such as the nostril, corners of the eye, and the inside of the mouth.
how to draw a dragon step 10

STEP 10.

Now switch back to a normal pencil and start with a light layer of shading. keep it as smooth as possible and DO NOT put much pressure on the pencil AT ALL! keep in mind that in this picture, the light is coming from above, so that's where the highlights will be. Once you've layered on some shading, use a blending stump or a kleenex wrapped around your finger to blend all of the pencil. Don't blend too much in the light areas, we want to keep them bright.
how to draw a dragon step 11

STEP 11.

Once again using to black colored pencil, shade all of the spikes using a broad dark line int the middle of each spike to give a highlight on top, and reflected light from the dragon's scales on the bottom. you can also darken the two horns, and the shading on the teeth.
how to draw a dragon step 12

STEP 12.

Now to begin adding scales. Using the black colored pencil, start making circular strokes all over the head. Push harder in the darker areas, but put a small amount of pressure for the lightest parts to suggest scales are everywhere without having to do each one. If you didn't already do it in the last step, add a pupil and shading to the eye.
how to draw a dragon step 13

STEP 13.

Doing the same thing as the last step, only with larger strokes, add the rest of the scales to the neck. Harder pressure in the dark areas, light pressure in light areas.
how to draw a dragon step 14

STEP 14.

And now for finishing touches! For the underbelly, make irregular horizontal lines that curve with the shape of the neck from the chin to the base of the neck. Make the creases darker near the edges and the highlights in the middle. You can also darken all the shading over the entire picture if you desire. I hope this tutorial helped and you enjoyed it... Stay tuned for more coming up and feel free to make requests!
Please enable / Bitte aktiviere JavaScript!
Veuillez activer / Por favor activa el Javascript![ ? ]