While some people are interested in learning how to draw a dragon as realistically as possible, other people want to learn how to draw a cartoon dragon.
There are some differences in these type of dragon drawings when compared to more traditional dragons, and especially when compared to other types of cartoon drawings. For starters, traditional dragons tend to be scary, like real dragons of legend. Look at the drawing off to the left. He looks terrifying, like he’s ready to breathe fire and eat you piece by piece! Cartoon dragons, on the other hand, are usually a bit more friendly. Some are still a little bit scary, but others look like they’re ready to be your pet! They’re often cuddly, sometimes furry, and always in bright, fun colors.
So if you’re interested specifically in learning how to draw a cartoon dragon, make sure that you find a drawing tutorial specifically suited and geared toward this type of drawing.
Another difference between cartoon dragons and more traditional dragons is the level of realism. There are some experts who’ve learned how to draw a dragon that can draw so realistically that you’d almost swear that you were looking at a picture of an actual beast. Some of these are detailed down to the dragon’s whiskers, eyelashes, sinewy muscles. Cartoon character dragons do not usually have this level of realism. Rather, they are like most cartoons that you see – they are more like a caricature of a dragon. There is usually no muscle definition on the beast, and no details like hair or fur. Whatsmore, the eyes are often more rounded to give a more friendly appearance, since children are often the ones who are the most interested in learning how to draw cartoon dragons, and they don’t like it when things are too scary.
My son started off by drawing cartoon dragons when he was just 4 years old. By the time he was 5, he could draw a cartoon dragon that looked as though a much older child had done it. All it takes it practice! And then when he got to be about 11 years old, he started learning to draw much more realistic dragons. His dragons now, at the age of 13, have striking details. They breathe fire, and sometimes they even have backgrounds that depict the dragon being in a cave filled with treasure or on a mountaintop fighting off a brave knight.
Meanwhile, there are also some similarities between drawings of cartoon dragons and drawings of more realistic dragons. After all, a dragon is still a dragon, right? Some similarities include the fact that all dragons have to have wings and a tail. They also have eyes, a nose, a mouth, and a body that is the same basic serpentine shape.
Whether you’re learning how to draw a dragon the traditional way or learning how to draw a cartoon dragon, don’t be afraid to experiment with different features and styles. After all, that’s how artists develop their own unique style and express themselves!