How to Draw a Mad Wolf

A snarling wolf is a perfect subject for an intense drawing.

A mad wolf evokes images of werewolves and snarling teeth. When threatened or preparing to attack, the face of a wolf changes completely. The muscles in its face contract, and the upper lip lifts to clearly show a row of sharp teeth. The piercing eyes, combined with the growling, are a clear sign that this animal is not kidding around. A drawing of a wolf in this state can be profound, if not downright frightening. It will certainly be a drawing that catches attention.

Things You'll Need

• Drawing paper
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Reference photos

Instructions

1. Decide how you want to compose the drawing of a mad wolf. Make a drawing of the head if you want to focus on the "mad" aspect. Gather enough detailed images of a snarling wolf to help you through this process. Decide on one image that shows the snarling features clearly, in a side-on view of the head, for example. Use this as the main reference source for your drawing.

2. Draw a rectangle to indicate the main portion of the head. Draw another rectangle about three-quarters of the size, and place it beside the fist one aligned with the bottom line. Use this area to draw the mouth of the wolf. Place it on the left side if the wolf is facing to the left. Draw a curved, sloping line from the top left corner of the first rectangle to the top left corner of the smaller rectangle to replace the straight line along the top. Use this contour as the outline of the top of the wolf's snout, running from the forehead to the tip of the nose.

3. Draw the line for the eye by drawing it along the top toward the front and then curving it up like a fish hook to indicate the brow. Draw in the nose. Outline the snarling mouth around the area showing the teeth. Keep this line fairly flat along the bottom and the upper lip curled along the top to reveal the teeth. Draw the back of the mouth as far as where the eye begins above it. Draw the teeth carefully in the space you just created for the mouth.

4. Detail the teeth so that they look realistic. Draw them in a clenched position. Draw about 18 teeth along the top, overlapping the lower row. Make some of the front teeth longer to give the wolf a more fearsome appearance. Draw the detail along the top portion of the mouth to indicate the stressed facial features. Refer to the reference image to draw the mouth area, especially the teeth, as they require the most detail. Erase your guidelines as you fine tune the outlines.

5. Continue adding more detail such as the ear tilted back to indicate aggression and the fur above and below the ear and neck. Detail the eyes, leaving a very small white spot to indicate a gleam. Continue detailing the inner ear hair, the furrowed brow and the face muscles contracting around the teeth.

6. Refine your lines until the wolf looks real and fearsome.

References

• Drago Art: How to Draw a Snarling Wolf