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Uploaded:December 5, 2010
Artist:Finalprodigy
Difficulty:Advanced  Advanced Skill Level
Steps:14
Updated:December 5, 2010
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How to Draw a Realistic Dragon, Draw Real Dragon

Time to draw a realistic dragon! I am including a few of my concept sketches in addition to the actual tutorial in order to make this tutorial a bit more helpful. I hope you'll indeed enjoy this tutorial on "how to draw a realistic dragon, step by step. Let's get started!

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how to draw pooh bear
how to draw a realistic dragon
how to sketch clothes
how to draw a realistic dragon step 1

STEP 1.

Here is my first concept sketch. I didn't keep much this sketch but I really liked the idea of a dragon with outstretched wings breathing fire.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 2

STEP 2.

Going off of the previous concept, I started version one of this tutorial...
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 3

STEP 3.

I came this far with this idea before realizing how awkward and boring the pose was. It was back to the drawing board for me to think of a more dynamic, interesting pose.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 4

STEP 4.

I really liked this idea. The dragon still has outspread wings and is still breathing fire but looks much more interesting.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 5

STEP 5.

Here is the final concept sketch. This sketch had the most influence on the final drawing. With the idea now implanted in my mind I started the final drawing.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 6

STEP 6.

Start out by roughly sketching out the dragon and its flame. Don't get drawn into detail yet.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 7

STEP 7.

Since this is all coming from imagination it was a lot easier to start from outside and work my way in. Start outlining the form with think black lines.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 8

STEP 8.

Make the outline as dark and defined as possible. This adds a large amount of realism to the drawing!
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 9

STEP 9.

Now start adding in some details. This is where all of those concept sketches come in handy. The head is ls greatly influenced by the second to last concept sketch. If you have trouble thinking of ideas for your dragon, draw inspiration from real animals. I suggest checking out images of alligator snapping turtles, lizards, and even dinosaur conceptions for ideas.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 10

STEP 10.

Keep defining everything as crisply as you can. Don't worry about shading yet. The line art is the most important thing here.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 11

STEP 11.

Using a tissue or a tortillion lightly blend in some shadows. The main light source here will be the flame so shade accordingly. No need to get too detailed yet. Just a few hints at shading here and there will do.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 12

STEP 12.

Add in the darkest shadows first and work your way up in value to the lighter shades. This is probably the hardest step since you have to imagine where each shadow would be and how the light is hitting the form. You will have to imagine in three dimensions instead of two to do this step.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 13

STEP 13.

After you have your shading in you can start adding details. Add some scales here and there, define the nails a bit, and start fixing anything that looks a little off to you. You can also define the dragon's outline more now.
 
how to draw a realistic dragon step 14

STEP 14.

And here is our dragon after adding some more details and shading! I hope this was helpful. Sorry for the bad photo quality. I will upload a scanned version into my gallery as soon as I can!
 

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LoudSkies's comment
ignore the Heartbroken32. Tha was my old DA account username.

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· Dec 27 2010
@xFeatherheartx
thanks, but it looks better by colorpencil! just today i drew it, so maybe in this week it will appear better lol
 
   
finalprodigy's comment
poor puppy! Awesome colouring

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· Dec 21 2010
@unpredictably_me
Dude, ya coulda warned me, stupid me googled this song on youtube with lyrrics on screen... so as u can imagine the first 2 WORDS were like *BOI-OI-OING* and yes small children were present, luckily I had headphones on :D Nah, I shoulda known better. Anywho, ha ha, Joking aside this is awesome, your 'word art' - I like... Alot :)
 
   
The_Oncoming_Storm's comment
YEP THIS IS GOING INTO MY FAVS DEFENILY! how did u do this ur so good at drawing naruto way better than ill ever be T_T any way like i said im so favroiteing this shrug good work can u do sasuke or better yet make this for a tut? omgomg omgomg well i sent u a friend request plz accept it you will be my 211th friend B) =D drool

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· Dec 20 2010
@unpredictably_me
Dude, ya coulda warned me, stupid me googled this song on youtube with lyrrics on screen... so as u can imagine the first 2 WORDS were like *BOI-OI-OING* and yes small children were present, luckily I had headphones on :D Nah, I shoulda known better. Anywho, ha ha, Joking aside this is awesome, your 'word art' - I like... Alot :)
 
   
unpredictably_me's comment
Dude, ya coulda warned me, stupid me googled this song on youtube with lyrrics on screen... so as u can imagine the first 2 WORDS were like *BOI-OI-OING* and yes small children were present, luckily I had headphones on :D Nah, I shoulda known better. Anywho, ha ha, Joking aside this is awesome, your 'word art' - I like... Alot :)

Leave a reply

· Dec 19 2010
@xFeatherheartx
thanks, but it looks better by colorpencil! just today i drew it, so maybe in this week it will appear better lol
 
   
xFeatherheartx's comment
thanks, but it looks better by colorpencil! just today i drew it, so maybe in this week it will appear better lol

Leave a reply

· Dec 10 2010
 
   
joshuaroos9988's comment
fanstastico!

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· Dec 8 2010
 
   
tinabell's comment
Cool. This is the first time i've ever seen dragons in a yin yang pattern. Great job!

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· Dec 7 2010
 
   
wolfstrider's comment
Wait.. even better High-Five! hai hai

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· Dec 7 2010
 
   
MagicPencil's comment
Hey . I havent talked to u in a while. I wanna hear about ur writing. IM me

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· Dec 7 2010
 
   
Neon_dollar's comment
:) Thank you!

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· Dec 5 2010
 
   
:lol: confused :fear: X3 :x_x: :shakefist: :zzz: :shrug: :inlove: =D =( :bow: :boogie: :innocent: :omgomg: O_o :3
:rolling: :plotting: :ill: =$ :fart: :hai: :mature: ;p ^^; :drool: :stupid: :poke: :tomatoe: :threaten: T_T :snooty: :singing:
B) :yay: :yawn: :watermelon: :wtf: :wow: :jawdrop: :paranoid: :dumb: :evil: :angry: :speechless: :blank: :rock: :salute: =B ;)
   
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