How to Draw an Alligator Head

An alligator has a broad head, long snout and powerful jaws capable of snapping its prey in half. Capturing the alligator's head in a drawing can be accomplished using simple geometrical shapes and then refining the distinct texture and features of the alligator. Learning to capture these elements isn't difficult and can be a useful way to introduce a beginning artist to the art of drawing animals.

Things You'll Need

• Sketch pencil
• Eraser
• Sketch pad

Instructions

1. Draw a circle to mark the area where you will draw the top of the alligator's head. In front of the circle, draw a square to cover the area where you will define the snout. Do this in a light pencil you will be able to erase as you define your alligator.

2. Draw the alligator from a slight top view. Draw the top, broad portion of the head in around the circle, using the circle as a guide for centering. Keep in mind the texture of an alligator as you widen the head. Draw bumpy, uneven lines to bring the texture out. Erase the circle once you've shaped the broad section of the top of the alligator's head.

3. Erase the straight lines at the front corners of the square you drew to mark the area of the snout. Replace them with more rounded lines, forming a shape similar to that of a duck's bill. Draw curved, upside down triangles along the edge of the snout for teeth. Place the teeth close together and fit as many along the edge of the snout as you can.

4. Draw a slight arch over the area where you will place the eyes. An alligator's eyes are set back in its head and slightly hooded. Draw the eyes on the sides and near the top of the head. Darken the eyes with a soft pencil. Draw two large nostrils at the tip of the snout and darken them.

5. Add small bumps over the entire head to replicate the reptilian skin of an alligator. Make the bumps dark by going over them with your pencil or pressing hard as you draw them.

6. Darken around the eyes and nose, then color your alligator's head with light side-to-side pencil strokes. When the head is completely colored, add darker pencil shading over the light to bring out the reptilian textures and coloring of the alligator.

References

• Dragonart: How to Draw an Alligator