How to Draw Animals
Start With the Basics
So, you want to learn how to draw animals. Perhaps you want to start with Fido or Fluffy. You will need pencils, a pencil sharpener, erasers and a clear photo of the animal you wish to draw. Oh, a little patience is needed too. Don’t spend a lot of money in the beginning. Later, when you have mastered the art of drawing animals, you will want high-grade paper. In the beginning, scrap paper will do. Start with drawing basic triangles or ovals for the head and body and cylinders for the legs; sketch lightly. When you are finished, you will be erasing the parts you don’t want. Once you have sketched the basic shapes, manipulate each until it more resembles the animal’s shape in your photo. When you are satisfied with the outline, you can erase the basic starting shapes. Use small pencil strokes for the fur, paying attention to it’s direction. Add the ears and face detail. Does it resemble a cartoon? Great! Cartoon animals are animals too. But if you would like to learn how to take your animal from 2D to 3D, read on…
Realistic Looking Animals
Soon you will have mastered your own technique for drawing animals. But for now, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have before you a good photo to copy from. And a book with animal anatomy is extremely helpful. Understanding the skeletal and muscular systems of the animal you are drawing will help to bring your sketch to life. By observing the anatomy, you will have knowledge of shading and strokes that require more pressure or less pressure for contouring. If you want to draw your own pet, refer to a picture of him. It’s so stressful when your model “up and leaves” in the middle of a sketching session. After you are satisfied with your drawing, be sure to add a little sparkle to the eyes by leaving a real tiny white spot where the iris is. This gives personality to your animal.
Going From Black and White to Color
It’s true – practice makes perfect. You’ll get there soon enough! Now let’s try adding some color. Purchase a set of colored pencils. Experiment by sketching one color over another color, using light pressure and harder pressure and using an eraser to soften the look without totally erasing. Shadowing gives your animal life too. Let’s say the sun is shining above your rabbit’s left shoulder. On the rabbit’s right side by his feet is where the shadow would be. Draw a soft shadow by gently shading this area with a grey pencil. Practice and practice some more. Soon your animal drawing will be worthy of framing.
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