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Basic Dragon Tutorial

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I decided to randomly create a tutorial on my style of drawing dragons. If you want to try it, be my guest. :) But, one thing first: You may not use my style of dragons to make any form of money!!! That just...wouldn't be fair. ^^; But you may draw and practice using it! :D
Okay, here we go! (Big file...let it load. :))

1: 1st off, make a...circle. For the head! Hooray!

2: Okay, make a line for the neck, a circle for the chest area, a line for the stomach area, a circle again for the waist, and then a line for the tail. This dragon has a short tail...^^;

3: Now make a circle for the shoulder blade, then use canine anatomy for the front leg. See, you can use really any creature's anatomy for a dragon, even human, but since this is my style, this is what I do. ^^ Then make a block for the foot. The back leg, I use a mixture of human and werewolf and canine anatomy. You could also use plain old canine anatomy. Anyway, circle for where leg connects to hip, then line-knee-line-ankle-line-foot. ^_^

4: Now to make the wing!! Use bat anatomy, unless, of course, your dragon has feathered wings. Circle to connect it to the shoulder, then line and elbow. They have elbows! Don't forget that. :) Then line connecting to the hand. They do have hands on their wings! A little thumb and then three lines outwards. That works. Remember, the wing's "fingers" have joints too. For this, I just used the main joint, but they should have another by the end. Think of a human/bat's hand anatomy.

5: Okay, that head was too big. I decreased its size. Sometimes even I make mistakes xD. Anyways, add some "meat" to the dragon. Add a muzzle to its head and a form to its body. :) Oh yeah, add two more legs, since it needs them...;)

6: Give the poor thing an eye! ^^ Eyes, I've found, are the most unique thing an artist can draw, so be creative. How you draw it can completely change the entire picture! Then add some more "meat" to the neck and around the legs. Also give it some webbing for its wing. Just connect the wing with little curves. :)

7: Okay, now here's a fun part!! Clean up the lines! Get rid of those little lines and circles I had you draw while still keeping the form. I like adding a little indication of the knee and a claw on the back of the ankle. Hey! You can tell its a dragon now! :)

8: Here's my favorite part--details! I added another wings membrane to the hand and shoulder. I gave it a scaley belly. Then I added its pupil, nostil, ear, tail spike,and horns. I just did basic things; this is where your creative juices should start flowing! Then I made it a bit more muscley. :) You're almost done!

9: The final drawing. :) The difference? Talons. :D Okay, look at the next step for creating the talons of a dragon. I hope your drawing is looking good! :) If not, don't be frustrated. I've been drawing dragons for years, and I still have tons to learn. It takes a lot of practice, so keep drawing!!

Talons: Look at that drawing that says, "Talons!" I drew a quick sample of an eagle's talons, the basis for a dragon's. Dragon's talons can be a very interesting feature. You can make them just like a dinosaur's, a bird's, human anatomy, even like a cat's or dog's paws! Get creative again. :) I draw mine as human/bird anatomy. Never ever ever draw then as little straight logs with triangles at the end! Claws start further in, not on the edge! Also, you need to give it structure, not just little sticks.

I hope my tutorial helps! Remember, practice makes perfect! :)

Everything here was drawn from scratch in PS CS with my Wacom tablet. This would probably work best with a pencil on paper, or a tablet in a good program. I guess you could use paint, but I wouldn't recommend it!

Tutorial and style (c) me!!!

If you find any errors, tell me. :) If you draw anything with it and upload it, please note me! I'm dying to see if this actually helps anyone!
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© 2004 - 2024 kalicothekat
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Xhyxhahruxh's avatar

Nicely arranged Tutorial!💖 I could have used it a while back 🙀😻


I Used a similar technique for My Tairlanga Design Formula Makeover Project... Wanna See? But, Dinosaurs are very different than Dragons... Real (Proper Traditional/Old School) Dragons, Anyway 😸🐉

A TUTORIAL TAIRLANGA!