How to Draw a Dragon
A young western dragon sits with folded wings and a long tail curved forward. Explore its sturdy hindquarters, horned head, and overlapping wing shapes in a pose with a clear, readable silhouette.
Start the lessonStage 1: Build the Pose
Sketch a tilted oval for the head, an upright oval for the neck, and a large slanted oval for the body. Add a narrow oval for the near front leg and a tall triangle for the folded wings. Sweep two curved lines from the rump around to the left for the long tail.
Stage 2: Shapes
Connect the head, neck, and chest with flowing curves. Build the front legs from tapered shapes with rounded feet, and add a large oval haunch with a long hind foot. Join the tail edges at a pointed tip.
Stage 3: Define the Dragon
Shape the muzzle and closed mouth, then add the eye, nostril, two horns, and pointed cheek edges. Separate the folded wings into two overlapping forms with hooked tips and long membrane lines. Refine the legs and toes, and add pointed spines along the neck, back, and tail.
Stage 4: Finish the Sketch
Erase the construction guides, strengthen the contours, and add curved claws to the toes. Shade the horns, wing folds, and undersides of the neck, body, and tail, keeping the eye highlight bright. Add fine pencil texture and soft ground shadows to complete the dragon.
Explore colour
Add colour
Make room for your drawing.
One page, 4 stages, and space to draw.