how to draw a cool dragon

And so, you desire to draw dragons, simply aren't actually sure where to start. That'south okay, we all accept to first somewhere.

I idea it'd exist fun to share my thoughts on these mythical beasts, and my approach to drawing them. Please continue in mind this is how I draw them. You don't accept to draw them this way if you don't desire to. After all, they are a part of our imagination!

Pace 1: Where to First

Since dragons aren't exactly in reality country, there comes the question of what in the world could we peradventure base of operations them on? Well, in that location's a couple of options.

For me, they unremarkably wind up as a combination of several animals that accept existed, as well as plenty of animals that are alive and well today. There'due south plenty of references to go around, if y'all know how to use them.

Dragons with wings can be difficult, but bats have the perfect wing structure. Essentially, their hands are their means of flying, and if you look closely, the ligaments in the wings look like long slender fingers.

Cranes are another animal that we can look to for guidance. I generally look to birds for how their heads/necks meet. Birds, in general, are really very good reference for an entire dragon.

I expect at dragons and definitely think reptile. Therefore, I look at LOTS of reptiles. ALL manner of reptiles. Lizards, snakes, turtles… annihilation I tin go my hands on. They provide me with general looks, centre placement, and texture.

And of course … DINOSAURS.

Step 2: Construction

At present that we are armed with a variety of references, it is now time to actually put them into a believable creature design.

Since dragons can literally be … anything, this can be rather daunting. Without a limit, things can get a little crazy and yous can even become lost in the drawing, floundering about and wondering where the legs go. Basic shapes should salve yous, forth with your mile-long list of references, where we DO know where the legs become.

Beneath are some examples of how I begin to describe a dragon. All kinds, not merely Eurocentric.

I combine A LOT of knowledge with my basic cartoon shapes, like muscles, joints, amidst other things. For me, how y'all connect the head to the cervix is VERY of import.

There's fatty, skin folds, bone matter, things that we tin't see that go underneath the pare. In order to keep that massive head up, there needs to be something substantial in that location.

You lot tin can make the dragon look threatening, docile, even unsure. But with the position of the neck and head.

Putting a head to a body can be fifty-fifty more challenging. But ever try to continue real animals in your mind when putting your dragon together. Even human beefcake can help yous.

I typically place the neck atop a ribcage.

Stride 3: Constructing the Limbs

The limbs tin be just as unique as the dragon you're drawing them for, and just equally annoying to brand sure they really fit the fauna. Notwithstanding using our references from life though, we can really pack some punch.

Claws, talons, wings. These are a few of my favorite things.

I'k one of those people who theme my dragons. What I mean by that is that I try to requite the dragon I'grand cartoon a certain look. With this guy, he'll slightly keep the classic European dragon ideal, but with some slight twists.

Lately, I have been attempting to make a jungle lord-like dragon. Keeping that in mind, I give it limbs that I call up will match that theme.

A rather unique problem with cartoon dragons is that if you lot want to give your dragon arms, legs, AND wings, you lot're really going to exist making up some interesting anatomy, because you're essentially adding a third set of limbs. This makes making up anatomy an interesting challenge.

Technically, you Tin can just stick a wing onto a dragon with four limbs already and call it a solar day … buuut…

I like to think of it as if I was making a multi-limbed human-like monster. A dragon'south got to have muscle and tendons to move that wing … definitely experiment with your own ideas, and you might be surprised what you come up with.

Step 4: The Crown

A lot of dragons have that one singled-out trait: the Horns. Horns on existent animals tend to be a role of the skull; a piece of bone that extends past the skin. Just like nails, claws, and spines.

You can certainly go wild coming up with the crown of your dragons. There are the traditional two-pronged horns, only why stop there?

Stride 5: How to Put it All Together

Then, yous have all this information. How exactly do we actually put a mythical fauna like this together?

I'thou non going to prevarication, it takes practice to exercise so. Not to mention you lot need to have an eye for design. Hither, we're going to talk about how to get from indicate A to signal B.

Y'all'll likely won't become the results you want, unless you understand muscle and bone structures. Understanding how artillery and legs move, as well as how bones can give yous harsh edges, will somewhen get you more than sophisticated looking dragons. Imagination and vision are great, just it can only last for so long before things start getting a little too unbelievable.

Knowing when and how to apply the tools at your disposal is what separates beginners from veterans.

With more practice comes the ability to create dragons that push the boundaries of the traditional wait.

Having a listing of what your dragon can do typically helps me in designing what a dragon will look like. Nosotros can apply my jungle dragon concept equally an example.

Time to use what we know to put this dragon together.

These are only only some examples of what yous can do. Don't be afraid to explore, and don't be afraid to meet what other artists practise. There are some pretty crazy, merely amazing, dragons out there!

I may or may not accept had some fun attempting to emulate my favorites. You can learn a lot from your inspirations.

I hope you guys establish this helpful. Adept luck with your future drawings!

Source: https://www.clipstudio.net/how-to-draw/archives/156800

Posted by: winghareposto.blogspot.com

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