Started with a dragon head but not sure how to draw the body.

[Solidbebe]

So I started drawing a dragon's head today and it came out pretty well I'd say, now I want to add a body/background. My first idea was to let his claws support him on the cliff, but then I thought it might be cool to have a wing. To me it looks slightly odd, I made the lines extra clear:







I don't see what is wrong with it, but for some reason it just doesn't look right.


I used this youtube vid for a reference ( loosely) and there you can also see the claw idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJXP5...eature=channel

[wooden mango]

I know this isn't the type of crtiique you are looking for but I would actually suggest starting over. I know you've but alot of work into the head but there is going to be inconsitency all over the work because you did not start with the whole picture mapped out.

[Quigleyer]

I wouldn't suggest drawing a dragon yet. I'd suggest looking at the anatomy of birds, lizards, and other critters of the like. Your reference is from a guy who already studied this stuff (or so it would seem) and knows a lot about form. Your interpretation of this is not something that will help you in the long run, as you're just blindly putting together lines/shapes to try and imitate the work without gaining the knowledge used to create your reference. I hope that makes sense, as I'm a little loopy at the moment.

Also, work on your forms. You can break down pretty much anything into simpler forms that help you to more easily visualize this stuff.

[Lightship69]

If you do insist on drawing and painting dragons, then surround yourself with good reference materials, I seem to remember John howe has done a book on dragons check that out of your local library and get a good feel for the creature.

But always before you put pencil to paper think about the composition, whats it doing, where is it, is it flying, fighting a knight or warrior, sunning itself on a cliff top, what?

Where are the light sources? any bounce, reflections etc. whats in the forground, mid and background etc etc.

I think basicly what I am tying to say is break it down and work it out from the floor up, you get a more natural full effect and stronger image.

Keep at it, youre doing okay matey dont be put off if any of this feels too critical. Thats not what I intend at all, I dont do negative crits.

Out of interest what other references are you using for this other than the you tube one? post them up and some of us may be able to find you some more in the same sort of vein and help you out.

All the best to you

[Vermis]

If you do insist on drawing and painting dragons, then surround yourself with good reference materials, I seem to remember John howe has done a book on dragons

In terms of explaining character and metaphor in existing work, it's fairly good. In terms of pointers for plugging together a physical form, Tom Kidd might be better.

Not to mention books and online image searches on the huge myriad of life of Earth...

[Lightship69]

very true Vermis, very true, big lizards and crocs are good for textures, anatomy and features etc. Point well made

[Solidbebe]

Thx for the advice guys, I've started another dragon with ink but I don't have the materials so I can't work on it at the moment. I've started on demon princes now I might post some of that later.

[Lhune]

And this is why you shouldn't reference other artist's works. As beautiful as it may seem to a beginning artist; that dragon head in the YouTube vid is very flawed. If your reference is flawed and it's all you use, then you will never draw anything good.

Very much seconding the studying of real life animals to get a better grasp on believable creature anatomy. Don't discard realism because it's not exactly what you're trying to draw; gathering and applying knowledge gained from the world around you is what makes an artist better.

[Solidbebe]

I hear that alot Lhune and it's true, but I used the video more as an inspiration than a reference, and I've since been drawing from real life photos anyways. The for the post though, I'm learning so much here.