How Do I Draw Household Pets?

By Charles Salmon

Drawing your pet can be a very enriching experience. Moreover, who can capture the unique character and personality of your pet than you? Also, this is the best way to remember your friend forever even long after it has left you.

If you think that this is very difficult, you will be surprised that it can be made very simple by using some simple techniques. Moreover, there are very good books available in the market that provides illustrations to help you better.

To begin with, below is the list of the equipments that you would require before you begin.

Photographs:

It is very essential that you get as many photos of your pet, from different angles, as possible. This will help you to refer to the best reference photo. Do not take a front-on image. It is always preferable that you take either – a three-quarter view because it is much easier to model.

Pencils:

They are economical and less challenging than ink. Further, in case you make any mistakes they can be easily erased. It is preferable here that you make use of mechanical pencils as they are more easy to use than graphic pencils.

Drawing papers:

Choose papers that are cold pressed for best results.

Erasers:

Use an assortment of erasers. You can choose from kneaded to electric erasers that help you to detail your drawing.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj7So14KGFE[/youtube]

Begin the drawing by creating a light outline by placing simple geometric shapes for the various parts of the body. Remember always to draw lightly as this aids an easy erasure. For example, in case your pet is a dog, then you can use a triangular shape for the face, oblong shape for the body, circles to draw the ears etc. Once you get the outline in basic shapes correct, you can use highlights, hatching, cross-hatching, gridding to enhance the drawing. The construction lines can then later be erased.

Follow the techniques below to get your pet looking ‘just right.’

1. The technique of

gridding

not only helps you to draw better portraits, but it also helps you to render a more realistic look.

2. You can create shading effects through

hatching/cross hatching

. You can increase the quantity, thickness and closeness of the lines to give a dark effect and vice versa to give a lighter effect to the shading.

3. When

highlighting

refer to the reference photo. The highlights used for the fur and hair can make your drawing look more real.

4. In your reference photo the

direction in which the photograph is taken

is very important. Photograph taken in the diagonal direction of the sunrays is very helpful.

5. The

fur of your pet

may be darkened or lightened up. Stretch the shape with the help of the eraser. There are many types of erasers available in the market like the kneaded eraser to help you get the desired shape.

6. Get the

direction of the hair growth

right.

What are you waiting for? Grab your pencil and paper and get drawing!

About the Author: I Askd.com offers a large variety of information – from

how to draw a cat

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how to draw a dog

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