I’ve always been a fan of drawings of dragons, but admittedly, I’ve never actually drawn one myself. I think it’s because they seem intimidating to draw.
On my journey as an artist, I’ve learned that the only way you can get good at something is by practicing. For that reason, I’ve decided to learn how to draw a dragon.
As I was browsing dragon art references, I thought that it would be cool if I shared some of my favorites with you. Most of these drawings are pretty advanced and detailed, however, I’ve also included some that are great for new artists too.
Below I’m sharing 12 dragon drawings to inspire artists. If you prefer to follow video tutorials, I’ll also be linking some of my favorite dragon drawing tutorials on YouTube. Make sure you check them out!
1. Paarthurnax from Skyrim
This cool drawing is of Paarthurnax (also called The Old One) from the game Skyrim. The artist did a great job with this dragon drawing.
2. Dragon and Unicorn
This drawing is of a dragon and unicorn sitting together. I love the level of detail in this one. A unicorn is a mythical creature often described as a horse with a single horn growing from its forehead.
3. Baby Dragon Drawing
It doesn’t get any cuter than this! This drawing of a baby dragon is so adorable and well done. I love the addition of the butterfly too.
Dragon Drawing YouTube Tutorials
If you prefer to follow video drawing tutorials, here are some dragon drawing tutorials you can check out on YouTube. I’ve also included the skill level after the title.
- How to Draw a Dragon’s Head – advanced artist
- How to Draw a Simple Dragon – beginner artist
- How to Draw a Flying Dragon – beginner artist
4. Dragon Eyes
Now, these drawing of dragon eyes are just stunning. The artist added so many different and fun variations that I would love to practice myself.
5. Using Different Drawing Techniques
If you take a close look at these drawings of a dragon’s head, you’ll see that each drawing uses a different technique. For example, one of them has been created using dotwork only.
6. Sakura Fairy Dragon
Here’s what the artist has to say about this drawing “While we were having our underwater adventure the second egg hatched at the PTC! It was a tiny Sakura Fairy Dragon which instantly became friends with the others.”
Create a Backstory for Your Dragon
When searching for tips on drawing dragons, a really cool idea I learned from Creative Bloq is to create a backstory for your dragon. For example, by adding scars to your dragon, you’re telling the story of a previous battle the dragon has experienced.
I thought that this was such a cool idea, and something I plan on doing for my drawing.
Another tip they suggest is to give your dragon a personality. I think that this is another great idea. I highly recommend checking out the article (linked above) for more great dragon drawing advice.
7. Dragon Using Colored Pencils
If you love working with colored pencils, this drawing is proof that you can create a stunning dragon drawing using color. I love how the artist used brown paper, as it makes the colors stand out even more.
8. Maleficent in Dragon Form
It’s so cool that this artist was able to create Maleficent in dragon form. You can watch this dragon piece being drawn via a YouTube video uploaded by the artist.
9. Simple Baby Dragon
It doesn’t get any easier than this simple baby dragon drawing. This is a great drawing for beginners to reference.
Draw Your Dragon from Different Angles
If you want to perfect your drawing, you can start by drawing the dragon’s head from different angles, making it look the same at each angle.
In the beginning, your dragon may not look like the same character from different angles.
You might also notice that some angles look better than others. Don’t worry about that. Just keep practicing and you will get better.
10. Haku from Spirited Away
If you’ve ever seen the movie Spirited Away, then you may be able to recognize this dragon as Haku from the movie.
11. Dragon Watercolor
You don’t have to stick with using pencils to create great work of art. As you can see, the artist was able to use watercolor to create a magical dragon art piece.
12. Dragons Cuddling
You know what they say. Dragons that cuddle together, stay together. Okay, they don’t quite say that, but dragons that cuddle together definitely stay warm on a cold winter’s night.
I hope you’ve been inspired by the dragon drawing references that I’ve shared. As you can see, there is no right way to draw a dragon. They can be large and aggressive or cute and colorful. Let your creativity lead you on your journey, and you’ll be proud of the art you create.
For more drawing ideas, make sure you check out the posts I’ve shared below.
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