How to draw a dragon

Dragons are made of parts you have already seen in other animals: a horse-like snout, a lizard body, bat wings. That makes them easier than they look — you assemble them.

This cute, sitting dragon keeps the body round and compact so the wings and tail can be the stars.

Step-by-step: how to draw a dragon

1. 

   1Guide shapes

   Draw a circle for the head at the top left, a large oval for the body at the bottom right, and a curving line for the tail.

2. 

   2Head, horns and face

   Draw a long rounded snout to the left, two pointed horns on top, an eye, a nostril and a smile.

3. 

   3Neck, body and belly

   Run the neck down from the head to the body, then draw the round body. Add a few curved lines down the front for belly scales.

4. 

   4Legs and tail

   Draw a front leg and a big curved back leg, both ending on the ground. Then the tail, curving out and up to a triangle tip.

5. 

   5Wings, spikes and ground

   Draw a bat-like wing rising from the back with scalloped edges and two ribs. Add triangle spikes down the neck and a ground line. Erase the guides.

6. 

   6Colour it

   Green body, lighter green wing, and the same green for the tail. Purple or red dragons work just as well.

Tips for a better dragon

• Wings come from the shoulders. Attach them just behind the neck, not in the middle of the back.
• Spikes shrink towards the head. Varying their size makes them look natural.
• Round body = cute. Make it longer and leaner for a fiercer dragon.

Try a variation

Give it a puff of fire: three orange flame shapes from the nose. Or draw it on black paper with the neon canvas for a glowing dragon.

More things to draw

Level up

• Basic shading
• Colour theory for beginners
• Drawing ideas
• Easy things to draw