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How To Draw A 3d Dragon Step By Step

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Dragons are beautiful creatures that, unfortunately, don't exist. This uncomplicated fact makes cartoon them quite problematic - is at that place any way to draw them correctly? I tin can show you how to depict a dragon head in a realistic style, in every pose in 3D space. You just need to consider the basic structure of a skull shape and work from in that location.


1. View the Skull in 3D Shapes

Step 1

Here's a 3D model of a dragon skull I've created for yous (you lot can download it and employ as your reference in any 3D software). I'grand going to refer to this 3D model to prove you the key areas on the skull. Can yous identify the upper jaw, the lower jaw and the encephalon instance? Yous could even pick out the eyeball socket, the nostrils, teeth and horns. If y'all consider each one of these areas, you can build upon it to design your own dragon. That's all nosotros're going to need.

dragonhead_1-1_skull dragonhead_1-1_skull dragonhead_1-1_skull

Pace 2

Here'due south a plan of the aforementioned skull. Simplified plans are the all-time manner to start a cartoon. This programme is still too complicated, though. There are too many weird angles y'all'd need to take care of when turning the head. Allow's simplify it even more than!

dragonhead_1-2_skull_scheme dragonhead_1-2_skull_scheme dragonhead_1-2_skull_scheme

Step iii

There it is! Every bit you can see, information technology'southward less accurate - it doesn't fit the skull'due south outline any more. Notwithstanding, elementary shapes make the pose establishment easier, and we can rework them later to suit our needs.

dragonhead_1-3_skull_scheme_simplifeid dragonhead_1-3_skull_scheme_simplifeid dragonhead_1-3_skull_scheme_simplifeid

Step 4

While the upper function'southward movement depends on the neck, the lower jaw can move on its own up and downwardly (and sometimes left and right likewise, but pure carnivores can't really chew). The circle point shows the centrality of rotation we'll demand later on. Attempt looking at other skulls of carnivores for examples of this mechanism, like crocodiles. They have long palates which rotate on a similar centrality.

dragonhead_1-4_scheme_mouth_open dragonhead_1-4_scheme_mouth_open dragonhead_1-4_scheme_mouth_open

Step v

OK, so we know how to draw a dragon head from one side. But if yous tried drawing dragons before, y'all probably guessed how to get this far on your own, equally it'southward quite intuitive. What y'all desire to larn is how to create a 3D pose, right? So, let'due south create 3D blocks of the second shapes that the skull is built of.

Basically, nosotros've got an oblate ball, a cuboid and an "50" shape laying apartment. These blocks will let us build a dragon head!

dragonhead_1-5_blocks dragonhead_1-5_blocks dragonhead_1-5_blocks

two. Create a 3D Pose

Earlier we start, permit's get technical. This tutorial will be based on simplified perspective tips. While it's not "technically" accurate, it's a proficient exercise to practice the thinking in 3D. How you lot envision a dragon may exist unlike to how I practise; that is completely fine. Still, we're going over the 3D mechanics of a skull for the initial part of the tutorial and this theory work will exist valuable for your ain creations.

Step 1

Let'due south start with a ball. It doesn't demand to exist perfectly circular, what we do now is just a sketch, a base for something more.

  • If you lot draw traditionally, continue the sketch light and most invisible (a hard pencil may exist good for this phase).
  • If you draw digitally, keep the sketch on a layer you'll exist able to delete later.

The pointer shows the direction our dragon will be facing.

dragonhead_2-1_braincase dragonhead_2-1_braincase dragonhead_2-1_braincase

Step ii

Time for the upper jaw. We need to draw the 3D cuboid. Intuitively, we should draw two rectangles. As the mouth is tapered, you'll need to brand the rectangle at the front of the mouth smaller.

The vertical distance should depend on the mouth's length, while their horizontal distance should depend on the arrow's direction. It's simply partially right, though.

dragonhead_2-2_upper_jaw dragonhead_2-2_upper_jaw dragonhead_2-2_upper_jaw

Step iii

The one-bespeak perspective cube that we describe in geometry classes is, in fact, an impossible figure. This means you tin can depict it, merely it doesn't exist in 3D space. Don't believe me? Just have any cube and try to place information technology a position to meet a perfect square and a chip of two sides at the aforementioned time. Surprised?

To make the oral cavity more natural, we need to tilt one of the sides - a or b. The next step volition go into more detail about this.

dragonhead_2-3_upper_jaw dragonhead_2-3_upper_jaw dragonhead_2-3_upper_jaw

Step 4

Here comes some math! If yous're familiar with perspective rules, yous tin skip this step. The rest of you, don't worry - you don't need to larn everything by middle, these rules are pretty easy to follow:

  • When all the sides are the same lengths and the angles are 90 degrees, we can encounter a square.
  • When you lot rotate the effigy horizontally, the left or right side appears. The more than you rotate, the shorter c and a get, so more of the new side is visible.
  • When you rotate the figure vertically, the top or bottom appears. The more you lot rotate, the shorter b and d become, and then more of new side is visible.
  • You can't come across both the top and bottom at the same fourth dimension.
  • You can change the angle betwixt sides to meet iii of them at the same time.
dragonhead_2-4_perspective_lesson dragonhead_2-4_perspective_lesson dragonhead_2-4_perspective_lesson

Step v

Let's come back to the dragon. Now create the correct 3D shape. You are free to use whatever lengths and angles for now, but later on you'll need to lucifer the other elements to them.

dragonhead_2-5_upper_jaw dragonhead_2-5_upper_jaw dragonhead_2-5_upper_jaw

Step 6

Nosotros'll draw the lower jaw now. Do you recall the "L" shape? It should be longer than the upper jaw, with an boosted part attached to it. It likewise needs to exist placed right under the upper jaw.

My mouth is going to be tapered, so the part in the front end is smaller and so the i behind information technology. Detect that I adhere the bigger function to the back of the upper jaw.

dragonhead_2-6_lower_jaw dragonhead_2-6_lower_jaw dragonhead_2-6_lower_jaw

Pace 7

Since the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw, and they both start at the same signal, we need to move the back part a fleck deeper. To discover the correct direction for it, you can draw ii lines across the upper jaw'southward sides. If your mouth is tapered similar mine, you demand to pretend it'southward a cuboid for a moment.

dragonhead_2-7_lower_jaw dragonhead_2-7_lower_jaw dragonhead_2-7_lower_jaw

Step 8

Now but "slide" the back part across your guides to get the correct altitude.

dragonhead_2-8_lowe_jaw dragonhead_2-8_lowe_jaw dragonhead_2-8_lowe_jaw

Step 9

This is the easy part: draw in the rest of the jaw.

dragonhead_2-9_lower_jaw dragonhead_2-9_lower_jaw dragonhead_2-9_lower_jaw

The pose is ready! Wait... A dragon with its oral fissure closed is a peaceful dragon, but what if nosotros want to draw a fearsome muzzle seething with acrimony? See the next steps if you lot want to learn the answer.

dragonhead_2-10_mouth_closed dragonhead_2-10_mouth_closed dragonhead_2-10_mouth_closed

iii. Describe an Open Mouth in 3D Space

Pace 1

If we desire an open rima oris, we need to describe the remainder of the "50" shape. Its dorsum, upper part volition be the centrality of rotation; we need this axis to define the next pose.

dragonhead_3-1_mouth_open dragonhead_3-1_mouth_open dragonhead_3-1_mouth_open

Stride 2

Let'southward open the oral cavity as much as possible (a right angle is the limit, in my opinion). A xc degree rotation is quite easy to do; the top becomes front side and the back becomes top. The correct side just switches the lengths.

dragonhead_3-2_mouth_open dragonhead_3-2_mouth_open dragonhead_3-2_mouth_open

Step 3

Nosotros demand to find the middle of the oral fissure. To do this, draw a line beyond the upper jaw and the rotated block. Then draw a vertical line down. The bending betwixt the two lines is 90 degrees, but perspective alters information technology.

dragonhead_3-3_mouth_open dragonhead_3-3_mouth_open dragonhead_3-3_mouth_open

Step 4

Imagine a huge circle with a centre in the corner of our right angle. Draw only the part that'southward between the lines.

dragonhead_3-4_mouth_open dragonhead_3-4_mouth_open dragonhead_3-4_mouth_open

Stride 5

An open oral fissure will be moving along a curve. You tin can encounter the front office of the lower jaw will proceed narrowing while sliding downwards, until nosotros cease seeing its front (and the within is visible instead).

dragonhead_3-5_mouth_open dragonhead_3-5_mouth_open dragonhead_3-5_mouth_open

Stride vi

To have the mouth broad open up, you need to draw the forepart of the rima oris turned away from you, and then connect information technology as usually with the rotated back part. The lower lip should touch the bend.

dragonhead_3-6_mouth_open dragonhead_3-6_mouth_open dragonhead_3-6_mouth_open

Pace 7

Since you know how the closed and fully open rima oris looks, you lot tin can hands find every transitional position. Yous just demand to imagine the "L" part rotating over the axis, and the mouth sliding over the curve between jaws. Remember to always bear upon it with the lower lip!

dragonhead_3-7_mouth_open dragonhead_3-7_mouth_open dragonhead_3-7_mouth_open

Step eight

This is how my dragon guide sketch looks. If you're drawing traditionally and your sketch looks very messy now because of all these lines we don't demand any more, you tin can trace the sketch on a new folio. Go on it lite! If you're cartoon digitally, just lower its opacity, lock it, and create a new layer.

dragonhead_3-8_mouth_open dragonhead_3-8_mouth_open dragonhead_3-8_mouth_open

4. Form the Basic Structure of the Dragon

Step 1

Once we have our simple blocks defined, we need to add more complicated blocks to pad out the face. When you describe a dragon without thinking nigh 3D, you just draw an eye or optics, nostrils and horns, and that's all. The whole face is apartment and unnatural. You need to program the face masses first, and then draw all the bulges and depressions. See them in 3D!

Over again, information technology's still in the sketch stage. Information technology ways you need to keep the new lines light (or on a new layer). Permit's draw the upper jaw kickoff. It should exist connected to the ball, but you lot don't really need to be strict with the shape. Utilise the pose sketch equally a guide, just don't trace it.

dragonhead_4-1_sketch_mouth dragonhead_4-1_sketch_mouth dragonhead_4-1_sketch_mouth

Pace two

Draw a forehead too. As you tin encounter, I didn't worry about the model's size at all. It'due south the direction that matters.

dragonhead_4-2_skecth_forehead dragonhead_4-2_skecth_forehead dragonhead_4-2_skecth_forehead

Step 3

Add the brow ridges at a whole forehead's width. You can even draw them from the nose to the end of the caput.

dragonhead_4-3_sketch_brows dragonhead_4-3_sketch_brows dragonhead_4-3_sketch_brows

Pace 4

The lower jaw is near traced, as there'southward no room for any changes (yet).

dragonhead_4-4_sketch_lower_jaw dragonhead_4-4_sketch_lower_jaw dragonhead_4-4_sketch_lower_jaw

Step 5

Identify the eye in a socket. Where to place it? One helpful tip: herbivores generally accept their eyes on both sides of the head for the widest field of vision possible (to see an enemy while eating). Carnivores accept their optics on the front of the face for a precise sight (compare a horse and a lion). Therefore:

  • If yous desire a dragon with gentle look, identify its eyes relatively far from the front of the face up.
  • If yous want a murderous brute, identify its eyes closer to the mouth.

Can you guess what kind of dragon I drew?

dragonhead_4-5_sketch_eyes dragonhead_4-5_sketch_eyes dragonhead_4-5_sketch_eyes

Step half dozen

Since all the shapes are nicely divers, we can start drawing for real! Take hold of a softer pencil or create a new layer and permit's go!

dragonhead_4-6_sketch_done dragonhead_4-6_sketch_done dragonhead_4-6_sketch_done

5. Depict the Dragon's Features

Pace i

While horns look pretty easy to depict, people tend to accept problems with them. Anybody has their own style, but if yous want your dragon to await natural (so, more realistic), don't make them sharp. Horns wear downwardly when used! Also, straight ones look quite artificial, so bend them a footling.

dragonhead_5-1_horns dragonhead_5-1_horns dragonhead_5-1_horns

Step 2

Dragons are generally covered with small scales that resemble peel (like snakes), or with big plate-scales. While minor scales are very easy (and boring) to describe, plates are what brand them look massive and armored. Once you learn how to draw them, you'll see it'due south much faster than covering whole body with a bazillion niggling ellipses! So, iii tips:

  • You can imagine a single plate-scale is a manus with iii fingers. This hand tries to embrace the surface information technology'south laying on, and so almost of the time we'll meet just a half of it (two fingers).
  • When the scales grow bigger, they don't just increase their size - they're like fractals. It works like a growing tree that gets more branches with a time.
  • Scales lay upon each other, only they're not glued together; when their base is bending, they "open".
dragonhead_5-2_scales dragonhead_5-2_scales dragonhead_5-2_scales

Step 3

When y'all depict a calibration (or anything made of natural cloth), it doesn't need to exist perfect. Nature isn't perfect! Scales aren't made of plastic; they accept been growing for a long fourth dimension, in the rain and common cold; they accept been striking and scratched, and that has changed them. (Or, if your dragon is made of adamantium, nothing changed them. Perfection is fine in that example.) Don't be agape to enhance your pencil and come back to the line y'all just started - long, smooth lines give a cartoony await. Don't try to set up your lines either, or yous'll get a mess.

dragonhead_5-3_scales dragonhead_5-3_scales dragonhead_5-3_scales

Step 4

Since nosotros know how the scales work, we can start to dress our dragon. First, we'll take care of the eyebrows. They wait just like tapered cylinders, so information technology's easy to imagine how the scales should be placed. Starting time with the 1 on the forepart - the merely 1 that will exist fully visible. Then draw some other, a niggling bigger, and so on. Every other calibration may exist more complicated than the previous one, just as if you lot were drawing them growing!

dragonhead_5-4_scales dragonhead_5-4_scales dragonhead_5-4_scales

Stride 5

Now, identify your scales from the nose to the end of the head. This time they're quite like, equally the surface they're laying on barely changes its shape. They besides can lay flat.

dragonhead_5-5_sales dragonhead_5-5_sales dragonhead_5-5_sales

Pace vi

I'g not going to teach you lot almost an centre's shape, because they tin be actually dissimilar. However, there's ane universal affair: the eye is placed in the eye socket, covered with eyelids, and protected with two big bone masses - the forehead ridge and the zygomatic bone. There are two things to recall:

  • If dragon'due south skin is very thick, the eyelids are probably quite thick too - therefore, when the eye is open, the eyelid will have a strong contraction.
  • At that place'southward a right angle between the tiptop of the zygomatic os and the eyeball, so keep that in mind when changing the pose.
dragonhead_5-6_eye dragonhead_5-6_eye dragonhead_5-6_eye

Step 7

This is how I drew the middle:

dragonhead_5-7_eye dragonhead_5-7_eye dragonhead_5-7_eye

Step 8

Time to depict the rest of the mouth. Depict it with your hand shaking - this way you'll get a lot of interesting shapes, which are so much better than slow smooth lines. Besides, tin can y'all see the lilliputian depression? It's non required; you tin keep your mouth round if you want.

dragonhead_5-8_mouth dragonhead_5-8_mouth dragonhead_5-8_mouth

Step 9

Let'south depict the lower jaw! It'southward going to exist quite complicated, because of all the teeth and then on, then let's take information technology slow. Commencement, draw the front function of the jaw (a shaking manus will help you again). Nosotros also need to add together this stiff jaw muscle that opens the oral cavity. The bigger the angle of opening, the more stretched the muscles. This tension adds a lot to the picture!

dragonhead_5-9_lower_jaw dragonhead_5-9_lower_jaw dragonhead_5-9_lower_jaw

Step ten

More often than not, teeth are going to use the same curve to slide over when the mouth is opening, because the upper and lower ones want to meet - just similar the jaws. Also, don't forget:

  • Teeth wear out as well! Don't make them all pointy or they'll seem unused.
  • The kind of teeth tells a lot about your dragon. Should they be like a T-Rex's, or more similar a lion's? What does it swallow, and how does information technology hunt?
  • Dragons tin can't expose their gums similar wolves, considering their pare is much harder, merely they yet should be visible when the oral cavity is open.
dragonhead_5-10_teeth dragonhead_5-10_teeth dragonhead_5-10_teeth

Step eleven

A tongue is usually plump, then don't make information technology flat. It needs to help the huge beast consume quite large things, afterwards all! Points to consider:

  • If your dragon can eject its tongue long out of the mouth while roaring, ask yourself: what'south the bespeak of this? I don't really know any animal that does it, and so y'all need to find a good reason to make it "realistic".
  • A forked tongue is an organ of odor. Snakes flick their tongues out all the fourth dimension and, theoretically, your dragon should do the aforementioned if information technology has a forked tongue. Otherwise, it's pointless!
dragonhead_5-11_tongue dragonhead_5-11_tongue dragonhead_5-11_tongue

Pace 12

The head is almost complete, so let's just add an chemical element to merge both jaws together. You tin employ bony wings here, additional horns and spikes, anything yous similar! Simply retrieve - it all should serve a purpose (for example, to wait bigger or more attractive for a potential mate).

dragonhead_5-12_spikes dragonhead_5-12_spikes dragonhead_5-12_spikes

Footstep xiii

So, the caput is done! It'south still just a line art, so if you desire to larn how to arrive more attractive, see the next footstep.

dragonhead_5-13_full dragonhead_5-13_full dragonhead_5-13_full

6. Add a Spark to Your Drawing

Step 1

We're going to exercise the inking now. Digital artists are in a better position here, but traditional markers and brawl pens volition do too!

Our moving picture is made of lines of almost the same width. Stress some of them to add importance to the various areas.

dragonhead_6-1_shading1 dragonhead_6-1_shading1 dragonhead_6-1_shading1

Step two

Add some darkness to wherever it's needed. Here, I desire to testify the deviation betwixt the inside and the exterior of the mouth.

dragonhead_6-2_shading2 dragonhead_6-2_shading2 dragonhead_6-2_shading2

Step 3

Cover the horns and teeth with thin curves. They should be thinner than most of the lines that build the picture show.

dragonhead_6-3_shading3 dragonhead_6-3_shading3 dragonhead_6-3_shading3

Footstep iv

Use the same thin lines to sketch shaded areas. Keep it loose and fast. When you desire to darken a place, cross the lines, but don't change the pencil!

dragonhead_6-4_shading4 dragonhead_6-4_shading4 dragonhead_6-4_shading4

Step 5

Here is what I've got by adding depth to the scales.

dragonhead_6-5_shading5 dragonhead_6-5_shading5 dragonhead_6-5_shading5

Step half dozen

Look at your flick and cheque whether it needs any more contrast. If a place is already covered with lines and you want to make it darker, you can utilise a bigger brush or softer pencil there.

dragonhead_6-6_shading_done dragonhead_6-6_shading_done dragonhead_6-6_shading_done

Awesome Work, Y'all're Now Done!

You've just learnt how to create a 3D pose and draw a convincing dragon head. I hope you liked information technology! Feel free to come back here whatever time if you demand a quick reminder.

dragonhead_final2 dragonhead_final2 dragonhead_final2

Source: https://design.tutsplus.com/articles/how-to-draw-a-realistic-dragon-head-in-3d-space--vector-14639

Posted by: boedingtorned1980.blogspot.com

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