How to Draw Realistic Animals With Depth

Drawing animals takes some practice and an eye for detail, but learning how to draw a favorite pet or favorite animal can be a lot of fun. Drawing a realistic animal can be easily done if you take a step-by-step approach.

Instructions

1. Gather a collection of photographs or videos of the species of animal that you want to draw. Use these resources to understand the anatomy of the animal and so you can see how the muscles move together. If you can, find an anatomical diagram of the animal you are going to draw.

2. Sketch a light stick figure of the animal to start. Be sure to note the proportions by measuring the length of the limbs and the body against each other. You can get the proportions perfect in the beginning stages of drawing simply by making sure the stick figure armature is correctly sized.

3. Fill in your form using polygons for muscles and specific head shape. Depending on the type of animal, use appropriately sized polygons to allude to the size and shape of the animal.

4. Connect the rough polygons and finalize the form. Add elements like ears, nose, tail and eyes to the animal. Be sure to factor in eye placement and any other discerning features or a dog could easily start looking like a horse or cow.

5. Add fur and shading to your animal. If the animal you are drawing is furry, use a sharp pencil for each hair alternating the pressure to add depth. Darker lines will work for areas and shadows and lighter lines will work for areas of your animal exposed to light.