How To

Draw Animals

A brief guide

by Michael Terry

Michael Terry

© Copyright 2011 – All Rights Reserved

Welcome to www.performingpencil.com

the site dedicated to drawing.

So lets get going on how to draw Animals.

Animals are very rewarding to draw, there is such variety in shape and size from a tiny mouse to a magnificent African Elephant. Can you think of any other group of creatures that has such contrast.

There is so much to draw here so much to observe and capture.

For the most part being able to draw something is down to careful observation, take time to study what you wish to draw. Look at it's proportions, how big is one part to another, find a part of it that you can compare to the rest treat it like a ruler. Also look for how things relate to each other.

But before you start first chose a soft drawing pencil like a 4B or 8B and get a soft putty eraser rather than a conventional eraser and a good quality drawing pad, these will help in achieving the results you are after.

For drawing animals why not draw your cat or dog. Or go to a park and sketch the squirrels there and if your lucky the dear. Also a wildlife park if you have one nearby is excellent for animals to draw.

What I am going to show you now is how to start and work through to a finished drawing.

Getting started.

Start by getting the overall shape of the body, neck and head, the head being the smallest part it can be used as a measure for the rest.

Here I would like to mention a very useful tool for getting proportions right, its called the 'Proportion Measure' and is included within the full eBook.

To continue make sure you sketch lightly as you will want to remove any unwanted lines later.

Next start to sketch in the legs and as mentioned above use the head as a measure , once you are satisfied that all these are in proportion you can start defining the animals shape.

Next you can start on the detail but before you do so you can erase any unwanted lines, other wise it will be difficult once all the details are in place.

Now you can render in some shading, this will give it a more three dimensional appearance also you can put in any markings.

Now I want to show you the different stages of producing a drawing.

First here is an overview of the process.

The first example is of a squirrel.

Stage One

The first stage is to get the overall body shape, once you are happy with this then you can move to the next.

Stage Two

I have now added the basic shape of the tail.

Stage Three

Now I have added the beginning of the rear leg, the forearm and indicated the position of the head. The depth of the rear leg is about the same as the thickness of the top of the body and the length of the forearm is the thickness of the tail. Measuring one shape against another will help you get shapes the right size.

Stage Four

Here I have added an ear, hand and foot.

Stage Five

Just added the eye.

Stage Six

This is my final stage, I have lightly rubbed out the pencil lines so that I can put in the detail like the hairs of the tail.

I have also added shading to give the squirrel form.

Now I shall draw a rabbit to reinforce the principles.

Stage One

Here like the first example I have drawn the basic body shape.

Stage Two

Now I have added the head shape. Here you can now use the head as a measure, in this instance from the top of the head to the bottom goes two times in the hight of the body.

Stage Three

Next I have added the ears, the hight of the ears is roughly the same as the depth of the head.

Stage Four

Arms have now been added, these are roughly the same in length as the depth of the head.

Stage Five

Here I have now began to add shape the basic shapes and the eye.

Also some grass.

Stage Six

Here is the final drawing, I have added more detail like the nose and mouth also shading to help to show form plus more detail in the grass.

One thing to remember, this is just a sketch not a finished piece that is going into the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition! Just relax it doesn't mater if you make mistakes, just learn from them and enjoy your self!

Don't forget just relax and enjoy drawing, its a big adventure with a great ending!

Further Help.

I hope you have enjoyed this eBook sample and have found it helpful in developing your drawing skills, if so then why not get hold of the complete book which is full of helpful advise on drawing.

What I have given you in this sample is only a basic guide, there is a lot more in the full eBook which will help you to produce a drawing you will be happy with. Below are the subjects covered within the book.

As I said at the beginning I have also included an invaluable tool that will go a long way in helping you to achieve the results you are looking for in your drawings. I have called this tool the 'Proportion Measure' and I think you will find this indispensable.

The eBook 'How to Draw Animals' has a great deal more within it to help you draw better.

Here are the subjects covered.

Familiarizing yourself with the subject.

How much to draw.

How to hold and use a pencil or pastel.

Measuring proportions.

Drawing through the subject.

Negative space.

Shading to show form and depth.

Perspective.

Step by step guide on how to draw a Fallow Deer stag.

Here I will go through the stages of a drawing which will further help you to understand the process.

And lastly I cover the subject of how to render fur.

And also the invaluable 'Proportion Measure'

Go to www.performingpencil.com to obtain this or one of the other eBooks available.

Here are some more photos for you to draw from.

Fallow Deer stag.

Meerkat

Wildmonths

If you want to go even further in your development there are courses available at Wildmonths.com These provide projects for you to work on and also if you wish personal feedback and help with your work.

There is also a forum and gallery to show your work on.

So go and have a look at Wildmonths.com, apart from the courses available there is a wealth of information on wildlife together with my wildlife diary which include many of my photos taken in the field.

A deeper understanding of wildlife can only help in your drawing.

www.wildmonths.com

Helping your understanding of the natural world