How to Draw Shrek Characters
Since watching your favorite Shrek movie can be great fun, another activity can be to draw the Shrek characters. While it isn't as easy as it seems to draw cartoon characters, the characters of Shrek can be particularly challenging because they involve textures that were computer generated. With careful observation and attention to detail, however, you can draw Shrek characters and begin having fun making your own portraits of them, either solo or together.
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Instructions
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Choose which character you are going to draw first. You may want to draw someone that seems easy to enhance your skills, such as the Gingerbread Man, or you can challenge yourself with someone more difficult, Ogre Fiona for example, where skin, hair, and textures of fabric would all be explored.
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Focus on the overall impression of the character. Drawing Shrek will involve more rounded motions than the angular lines of Pinocchio. Look over the image of the character. Let your eye pick up the actual image rather than the quick glance that usually tells your brain what something looks like. Notice small details and observe how different angles and shadows play out on the picture.
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Begin to draw the basic shapes of the character. Start a line that is the center line for the character's form. Add lines to represent shoulders, arms, and legs. Around these lines add an oval or circle for the head, create oblong arms, or an oval torso. Look at the picture to determine if the body parts should fall evenly along the center and appendage lines or if they lean to one side more than the other. Shrek himself tends to slouch, while characters such as Fiona and Donkey always seem to be standing tall with self-confidence.
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Draw in features for each shape. The face can get ears, eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Ogre ears should be a new challenge to anyone. The arms and chest may just need the details of clothing. For Donkey or Puss In Boots you'll need to create hair, but if you're drawing Dragon then creating scales can be a challenge. Be sure to keep your eyes on the picture 75 percent of the time and on your drawing only 25 percent. This will give you a more accurate drawing.
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Add details. The thing that distinguishes Shrek and his friends from other computer generated characters is the intensity of details. Every aspect of the characters is fleshed out with texture, design, and the look of lightness or heaviness. Details give the characters more depth. None of the characters wear just a shirt; the shirt has ties or buttons, lacy trim, a collar, or chainmail. Take the time to flesh out the character and add the details that make them stand out.
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Add shadings and shadow. Determine where the source of light is coming from and darken or shade in any areas that would not be touched by that light. Keep in mind not to make everything completely light or dark, remember there are areas of gray in between. One thing that is unique about the characters of Shrek is that even the wickedest of wicked all appear soft and touchable. Smooth out your shading by using your finger to smudge your shading.
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Finish the Shrek picture by adding background or landscapes. If you don't want to create an elaborate background, a simple horizon line can help anchor your characters and keep them from "floating" on the page.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice drawing your favorite Shrek character several times, in multiple poses, before you attempt to draw it from memory. When you do draw from memory, if something seems off, try to compare it to the picture to see where the inconsistency lies.
Don't get frustrated if your drawing doesn't look exactly like the picture. While some variation will happen, refocus on spending 75 percent of the time on the image. Most errors come from not really looking at your source.
