How to Draw a Chinese Dragon

Chinese dragons are an excellent drawing exercise because they don't exist in nature. The artist's challenge is to create a believable animal that he or she has never seen. You can learn to draw a Chinese dragon by concentrating on real animals and a few basic shapes.

Instructions

1. Use lines to draw the basic position of the dragon. Think of it as a stick figure to show body placement.

2. Outline the raw shapes within the dragon by sketching circles and ovals to represent appendages. Use these shapes as appropriate to depict the head, neck, torso, tail, wings, claws, as well as upper and lower arms and legs.

3. Change the torso shape to one with a powerful upper body that narrows to a smaller waist. In the same fashion, alter each oval one by one to better define the body part it represents. Use real life examples such as crocodiles (head and torso), snakes (tail), horses (neck), body builders (arms and legs) and bats (wings) to create appropriate musculature.

4. Flesh in details such as scales, claws and ribbing on the wings. Use natural animal detail whenever possible to add realism to your dragon drawing. For example, the plates of a turtle shell can make the dragon's underbelly. The fringe on an iguana's back can easily transform into a dragon's fringe. Shark teeth can add a more dangerous look to a crocodile head. Get creative, using as many animal features as you can to bring your art to life.

5. Erase unnecessary marks and darken final lines. Add shading and background to create a three-dimensional effect. If your dragon breathes fire, add flames, smoke and smoldering ruins to your drawing.

Resources

• Free online dragon drawing tutorial