How to Draw Realistic Animals for Adults

Hand and pencil

The task of drawing anything realistically can be a challenge, and standards for adult drawings are higher than those for childrens' drawings. Animals are particularly tough because you might want to capture their special shapes or create a sense of motion. By breaking down the drawing process into steps beginning with the outline and then fleshing out the subject bit by bit, this difficult project can become manageable and enjoyable.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a high-resolution, detailed photograph of an animal. Do not work from your imagination or memory, as this is more difficult. You can find images online or check out a reference book about your chosen animal.

2. Break down the animal into its most basic parts. Draw an oval for the body, and linking ovals for the legs, neck, arms and tail (where applicable). Draw these ovals lightly, so that you may erase them later.

3. Draw an outline of the animal around the ovals you drew in Step 2, linking all the parts together. Look closely at the photograph of the animal as you draw the outline, to help you with the details. Start at the head and work around the animal in a clock-wise fashion, over the back of the head, down the back, around the rear, under the legs and underbelly, and then back to the front of the face and head. Note any unusual features like the mane of a lion or the tail of a squirrel that will affect your outline.

4. Draw the large or important details on the animal, such as the ears, eyes, nose and mouth. If you are drawing the animal from the front, so that both sets of eyes and nostrils and ears are visible, draw a few mapping lines on the face first. These are lines that fall over the central horizontal axis of the eyes, ears and nostrils. When drawn straight across the face, they will help you line up the features symmetrically. Many animals have almond-shaped eyes like humans. The nostrils will probably be prominently displayed below the eyes as round circles, and the mouth should be represented by a line formed by the two lips pressed together. Refer back to your photograph for help.

5. Draw the textures and patterns on the animal. Start by outlining any spots or stripes down the animals' hide or skin, then use your pencil or pen to lightly shade the areas you outlined. Darken the shading as necessary until it matches. Also take this time to shade the animal in areas where there are shadows.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that the easiest point of view from which to draw most animals is the side.

References

• How to Draw and Paint: How To Draw Animals