How to Draw a Dog

Are you an art and a dog lover? If you are new at drawing and you want a place to start, use your dog as a premiere subject. You can take your time to make a portrait to draw a picture of your favorite pooch. With a little practice and some patience, you’ll be a regular Picasso in no time. Here is how you can get started on your new masterpiece. Read on for more information on how you can draw a dog.

Items You Will Need for This Project:

  • Pencils
  • Erasers
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Dog or Photo of a Dog
  • Plain Drawing Paper
  • Wax Colors

Step 1

If you are not going to use your dog as a live subject, then look through various sources to get pictures you would like to draw. You can even use old family pictures of the family pooch. Pictures are also available on the internet.

Step 2

Gather all the necessary drawing materials and sit down in a quiet place where you can focus.

Step 3

Sharpen all pencil point and make 3 circles on the plain white drawing paper. The first circle is the dog’s head. It should be higher than the other two circles. The next circle that goes underneath the head is the dog’s shoulders. The circle that is placed to the right of the bigger circle is the back legs.

Step  4

Make an oval shape horizontally on the first circle. This may look like a muzzle.

Step 5

Draw the neck by making the first circle connect to the second one. Curved lines connect these two.

Step 6

Make the  curved lines also connect the shoulders to the hind legs to form the dog’s whole body.

Step 7

Draw the dog’s paws. They can be made by making little ovals over the bottom of the legs. Sketch in details.

Step 8

Add a tail, eyes, ears, and triangular nose.

Step 9

Make sure all stray marks and lines are erased to clean the picture of the dog up.  If you look at your portrait and you feel like it needs more definition don’t be afraid to add some in.

Step 10

Color the finished product with the colored pencils. Sign your work. Every great artist signs their masterpieces.

Suggestions & Warnings

  • Use your picture reference a lot
  • Choose natural colors to complete the outline of the picture of the dog. These colors can help give the appeal of the picture a boost.
  • Make sure all pencils are sharpened for best strokes, lines and definition.
  • Draw with light strokes so you can easily make corrections along the way.