How to Draw Animals Using Shapes
Drawing animals is much easier with a framework in place to use as a guideline. Learn how to draw any animal you want and use reference images to add accuracy to those drawings. Use your drawings as a way to unleash your creativity.
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Things You'll Need
- Pencils
- Fine-liner or ballpoint pen
- A4 white paper
- Felt-tip pens, crayons, marker pens or paints
- Eraser
- Pencil sharpener
Instructions
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Reference, Framework and Sketching
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1
Find reference images of the animal you wish to draw. Find as many images as you can to help add accuracy to your image and also for inspiration. Remember to sketch lightly with your pencil to create faint lines, which are easier to erase. For the purpose of this guide, learn how to draw the frog in the image for this article.
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2
Draw a large horizontal oval that will act as the frog's body. At the top right of this oval, draw a smaller horizontal oval to act as the frog's head. Keep your pencil lines faint and be loose at this point; don't go into details.
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3
Draw a small circle on the line at the top of the frog's head. This circle will act as the eye. Draw a line in the middle of the head from the right side to about halfway in. This line will act as the frog's mouth.
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4
Draw a small oval at the bottom left of the body and two even smaller ovals in a "<" shape at the bottom right of the body. These shapes will act as the front and rear legs. Draw a triangle under each leg that will act as the webbed foot.
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5
Refine the basic shape guideline of the frog into a more realistic depiction. Join the shapes together by drawing a skin around them. Add the details like the pointed tip of the upper lip and backside of the frog and the webbed toes on the feet.
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6
Draw around the pencil lines you want to keep using your fine liner pen. Let the pen ink dry for a moment before you erase the pencil lines to avoid smudging. You should be left with a clean line drawing of a frog. Now add some color with your pens or paints, and you should be finished.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to keep your shapes basic when building the framework.
Use the reference as often as you like to keep your drawing based in reality.
Use the shapes to create your own animals.
Pens can leak so be aware of this.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit illustration, grenouille image by Paul Laroque from Fotolia.com
