If you’ve mastered the art of drawing dogs, you may think drawing a wolf should be a piece of cake. However, when it comes to capturing the essence of a wolf, there are several distinguishing features that set it apart from its domesticated cousin. Understanding these differences is key to creating an accurate and lifelike representation. In this guide, we’ll take you through the process of drawing a wolf from start to finish, using a side view as our reference point. So grab your pencils and let’s begin!
Step 1: Sketching the Head Shape
To start, sketch an oval shape tilted to the left at a 45-degree angle. Connect a muzzle pointing downward to the oval, making it about the same length as the oval itself. The bottom of the muzzle should be flat, extending halfway to the oval just below it. Drawing the ear is the next step. Begin by drawing a line as the base of the ear on the head, forming a forward-slanted triangle shape that curves at the back.
Step 2: Establishing the Neck and Body Length
Use existing shapes as a reference to determine the length and width of the neck and body. Measure the length of the oval head twice sideways to locate the base of the neck. Keep in mind that a wolf’s head sits lower than a dog’s head relative to the body. Draw the neck at a downward angle. The length of the back should be three times that of the oval and neck. Connect a straight line from the neck to indicate the back.
Step 3: Shaping the Neck and Body
The neck of a wolf is thick and full of fur. Gradually increase the thickness of the neck as it descends towards the base of the body. Complete the body by drawing a straight line for the stomach, extending it all the way to the back and closing it off.
Step 4: Dividing the Body into Sections
To help guide the placement of limbs, divide the body into three parts: the shoulders, stomach, and hind legs. Draw a straight line straight down to create a narrow shoulder section. Use a forward slash to separate the hind leg section from the long stomach.
Step 5: Outlining the Legs and Tail
The height of a wolf is approximately two times the height of its body, plus an additional one-sixth. Draw a front leg with a curved front and a straight back. For the hind legs, draw a long ‘S’ shape at the front, tapering off towards the back and stopping halfway down. Add a straight line to indicate the heel. The triangular-shaped toes should appear long and large. Draw the remaining legs that are partially hidden behind the front legs, staggering them slightly to create a sense of depth. The tail should be thick and long, extending to the heel.
Step 6: Defining the Head Structure
Go over the initial sketch by blocking out the head and its features. Draw the top of the head and muzzle as flat shapes. Add the shape of the nose and chin based on the underlying drawing. Make sure to include a subtle curve in the chin as it reaches the neck and mane. The ear should resemble a cone shape with a line in the middle to represent the front plane. Connect the cheeks from the ear, down the head, and across to the chin. Place a thin, slanted diamond shape as the eye, positioned just above the muzzle towards the front of the oval.
Step 7: Structuring the Front Section of the Body
Use the initial sketch as a guide to structure the neck. Add a small hump on top of the shoulder section. Draw a line that runs down to the elbow with a curl at the bottom. Mirror this curl to define the shoulder, separating it from the leg. The leg tapers down to the wrist, connecting to the cylindrical-shaped paw extending forward. Draw the chest located behind the arm, just below the shoulders. Repeat this process for the hind leg.
Step 8: Shaping the Middle Section of the Body
The hip is where the middle and hind leg sections of the body meet. Draw a line along the shoulder, dipping down to the tail as it passes the hip. From the chest, draw the stomach, tucking it up as it reaches the hind legs.
Step 9: Defining the Back Section of the Body
Draw a line from the hip down to the knee, where the stomach meets. The upper section of the hind leg curves towards the back of the knee and tapers down to the heel. Ensure that the heel is positioned higher than the wrists. The back paws should resemble smaller versions of the front paws. Finally, include the tail.
Step 10: Adding Detailed Features to the Head
Refine the details of the wolf’s face to create a more realistic representation. Add a small bump to the top of the muzzle, just before it reaches the nose. Ensure the nose is large but not overly pointy. The mouth should extend across the muzzle, slightly tucking upwards and curving back towards the eyes. Wolves have less pronounced lips, so keep the chin thin. The eye can be represented as a thin slanted diamond shape, filled with a black diamond behind it. Enhance the overall structure and wolf-like appearance by adding some lines to the face.
Step 11: Drawing the Ear and Mane
Emphasize the wolf’s distinctive features by drawing large, rounded ears. The inside of the ear should appear furry, while the back should be shorter. Create the illusion of a full mane and neck by adding a variety of fur in different directions. Be cautious not to go overboard with the fur, as it can overwhelm the overall structure. Focus on placing the fur along the edges, where the neck’s plane is turning away.
Step 12: Detailing the Shoulder and Adding Fur
The top of the shoulder section should be covered in fur, extending down towards the bump, shoulder, and elbow. The front side of the leg should feature a subtle curve, while the back should have smaller fur details. Include a small pad at the back of the wrist joint. Shape the paw like a puck. Draw the chest located behind the arm, right below the shoulders. Repeat these steps for the hind leg.
Step 13: Adding Fur and Details to the Mid-Section
To create a sense of structure, draw subtle curves and lines along the wolf’s back. The fur in the stomach area should flow in the opposite direction as it reaches the middle section. Use thin lines to define visible muscles in the back.
Step 14: Enhancing the Back Section
The top section of the leg should have more fur compared to the bottom section. Thus, draw fur details on the top and smooth lines on the bottom. Repeat the same process as the front paw for the hind paw, but with only four toes. Complete the body by drawing a furry tail.
Step 15: Bonus – Adding a Winter Coat
For an added touch, you can depict the wolf with a thick winter coat. Overlay additional fur around the body, using various lines and shapes to create a fuller appearance. Experiment with different chunk sizes, lengths, and shapes to achieve a realistic depiction of fur.
By following these step-by-step instructions, you can master the art of drawing a wolf. Remember to use a real wolf photo as a reference throughout this tutorial to enhance the accuracy and authenticity of your drawing. Happy sketching!
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