How To Draw A Dog: Easy, Step-by-Step Guide For Beginners [Plus, A Video Tutorial!]

Time to dive into the world of drawing man’s best friend! Dogs, although adorable, can pose a challenge when it comes to capturing their likeness on paper. If you’ve struggled with getting the proportions of their head and body just right, worry not! We’re here to assist you.

In our previous tutorials, we discussed how to draw a cat and a horse. Now, it’s time to expand your repertoire by adding a dog to your artistic toolkit. In just a few simple steps, we’ll show you how to draw a dog from scratch.

Watch a Professional Artist Demonstrate How to Draw a Dog [Video]

To guide you through the process of drawing a dog step-by-step, we enlisted the expertise of Gonçalo Lopes, the lead artist behind BioWars. In a beginner-friendly video tutorial, he will walk you through illustrating a dog, starting from the basic outline and shapes, all the way to adding intricate details and shading.

Before you begin, remember that achieving the perfect drawing on your first try isn’t necessary. Take your time, be patient with yourself, and practice as much as you can to enhance your dog-drawing skills.

The Tools You’ll Need for Your Dog Drawing Journey

When it comes to drawing a dog, the following tools are highly recommended:

• An H pencil: Perfect for sketching the basic shape of the dog’s body.
• A 4B pencil: Opt for a softer lead pencil to achieve smooth shading.
• A kneaded eraser: This type of eraser is excellent for erasing sketch marks without leaving residue.
• Sketch paper: Choose a sketch paper with micro-perforations, as it allows for easy corrections if needed.

Of course, if you prefer using a drawing tablet or other digital tools for your artistic endeavors, feel free to do so!

Step 1: Draw the Base of the Dog’s Body

When starting to draw a dog, many beginners tend to focus on the head. However, if you find it challenging to get the head shape right at first, we suggest simplifying the process by skipping the head sketch for now.

Before you begin, decide on the angle from which you want to depict the dog. As a beginner, opting for a side angle, similar to Gonçalo’s approach, will be the easiest to master.

To start, sketch the base of the dog’s body using two circles. The left circle, representing the dog’s chest, should be larger since the dog is turned to the left. The right circle, aligned with the top of the left circle, denotes the dog’s body size.

Step 2: Connect the Circles to Create the Torso

Next, connect the tops of the two circles you previously sketched. This line represents the back of the dog. By connecting the bottom of one circle to the other, you’ll form the dog’s belly.

With just a few simple lines, you’ve successfully outlined the dog’s torso.

Step 3: Draw the Neck

Once you’ve finished sketching the torso, it’s time to add the dog’s neck. Draw a line extending from the dog’s chest, curving it downward towards the back. Pay attention to the length of the neck, ensuring it is slightly shorter than the dog’s torso.

Step 4: Outline the Upper Arm and Upper Thigh

The upper arm of the dog resembles a loaf of bread. Draw a loaf-like shape covering approximately two-thirds of the front circle. As for the upper thigh, its outline should cover the majority of the back circle. Don’t worry about achieving a perfect shape at this stage; we’ll refine it later.

Step 5: Sketch the Head

Now, let’s focus on illustrating the dog’s head. Start by sketching the forehead, muzzle, lower lip, and flews (the upper lip). Simplify these features using basic lines and shapes. For a friendly, open-mouthed expression, draw the jaw slightly ajar.

The lower lip outline should resemble a triangle with a soft apex. When drawing the muzzle and upper lip, begin with the forehead, then extend the line towards the lips.

Step 6: Add the Dog’s Ear

Since we’re drawing the dog from a side angle, only one ear will be visible. Most dogs have triangle-shaped ears, but the shape may vary depending on the breed and their stance. For a happy, relaxed dog, draw the ear hanging down. Aim for a rounded tip, resembling a triangle.

Step 7: Outline the Forearm, Lower Thigh, and Tail

The forearm overlaps the upper arm, while the lower thigh covers the back circle. These overlapping areas indicate the joints in the dog’s legs. Pay attention to the proportions and use Gonçalo’s sketch as a reference.

Now, let’s give our doggo a tail. The size and shape of a dog’s tail depend on the breed. For this drawing, we’ll depict a slightly longer tail, similar to a Labrador’s.

Step 8: Outline the Dog’s Eyes, Nose, and Teeth

To bring your dog drawing to life, it’s time to add the eyes, nose, and teeth. When drawing the eyes, remember that dogs have three eyelids, including an extra protective one beneath the two visible ones. Soften the lower eyelid’s angle to achieve a friendly expression.

Sketch the nose as a circular shape. If desired, depict a few visible teeth, including canines, premolars, and molars. Don’t forget to include the tongue, as dogs often have it slightly sticking out.

Step 9: Draw the Forearm and Thighs on the Other Side

Since our dog is turned to the left, only a small section of the legs on the right side will be visible. The right forearm should slightly peek out from the back, while the left thigh is more visible. Refer to Gonçalo’s sketch for guidance.

Step 10: Start Shading

With the basic outline complete and all the details in place, it’s time to add some shading and finishing touches. Grab your 4B pencil and apply pressure to darken the outline and enhance certain areas. Focus on shading the right forearm, the right thigh, as well as the dog’s chest and belly.

Step 11: Add the Dog’s Hair

To add a touch of realism to your dog drawing, try sketching hair. Use short zigzag lines to depict fur on the dog’s belly, back, and neck. You can also add dots to represent the whiskers. Don’t forget to include two lines to illustrate the dog’s wrist and hock, making its legs look more lifelike.

Finally, draw the fingers on the dog’s paws with two short lines each, and add shorter, darker lines to represent the nails.

Step 12: Erase Unnecessary Details

The final step in drawing a dog is to erase any unnecessary lines and sketch marks. Use a kneaded eraser to gently remove the unwanted elements, leaving behind a clean and finished dog illustration.

Recap on How to Draw a Dog Easily

We hope you enjoyed and learned from our tutorial on drawing a dog. Remember, starting with the base shape of the body sets the tone for the rest of the drawing. Take your time to get the proportions right, and practice consistently to refine your skills.

If you found this tutorial helpful or have any feedback, please let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.

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