Great Christmas Dog Art + Drawing Tutorial

It's December, which means it's officially Christmas time! Since this is my favorite time of the year, I decided to make a post highlighting some great Christmas dog art. I've also made a tutorial on how to draw a cute cartoon Christmas dog. It would be a great little drawing to include on any Christmas cards you might be sending out this year! I'll be doing more Christmas themed tutorials and holiday art posts, so stay tuned!

How to Draw a Cartoon Christmas Dog- Easy Drawing Tutorial

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Great Christmas Art

 

 

 

 

How to Draw Dogs Video Tutorials- Panting and Cute

Today's drawing tutorials are a realistic a cute stylized puppy and a panting dog. The stylized one is perfect for beginners or kids, though the panting one isn't that difficult. It just takes a bit more attention to detail and the help of a photo reference. Be sure to check out my other dog art tutorials too!

Cute Puppy

1. Make a circle for the head and draw the center lines.

2. Draw the muzzle.

3. Add in the eyes and the top of the head.

4. Add the ears.

5. Add details.

6. Color. Don't forget a highlight on the nose!

Panting Dog

1. Make a circle for the head and draw the center line. The body is an oval shape.

2. Block out the muzzle, neck, and eye and ear placement.

3. Detail the muzzle and eyes.

4. Detail the bottom jaw and add the collar.

5. Detail the ears and neck.

6. Add some simple values and highlights.

The puppy was drawn in Flash and the panting dog was drawn in MyPaint.

Leave a comment if you have any questions! I hope this was helpful!

How to Draw a Dog Face Tutorial #1

Here's a new drawing tutorial! This time, featuring my dog Corey. It's drawn in my favorite sketching program MyPaint (a free open-source program), but can be drawn in any other program or with pencil and paper. If you're a new artist, you may want to check out my How to Draw Animals post first. It outlines the steps you'd go through in drawing any animal in any pose.

In this tutorial I go one step further and add some values and highlights. Note that this is not true shading. All I'm doing is laying down values to indicate the different colors in Corey's fur and adding a few highlights so the drawing looks less flat. I didn't actually darken the sides of any of the shapes, so the the forms aren't as three-dimensional as a fully shaded drawing. This is one of many good ways to make a quick drawing.

The final drawing:

Several Cool Updates

Hi again, everyone! Remember how last time I said I really wanted to focus on my modeling, texturing, and lighting skills? Well, I just got done doing a lot of practice with those last two. I went through an intense learning weekend where I learned a lot about composition, lighting, and Cycles. In fact, I learned so much that I decided to update all of my old models (except for the Bunny and Bobcat). I've given them all new materials to allow them to render in Cycles, and I've exported them all into .fbx format! I'm especially excited about that last part, because now I can use one of my favorite rigs, my great white shark, in Maya!

I'm also very excited about the updates because of how snazzy all my models look with their new materials and Cycles' better way of rendering. I don't know why I stuck with Blender Internal for so long, I should have switched to Cycles the day it came out! Anyhow, I thought you all might be interested to see the contrast between my old renders and my new renders of the same models. Keep in mind that a lot of the sub-par quality of the Blender Internal renders comes from me just not knowing enough about materials and lighting, something that I've improved on a lot (though I've still got tons to learn). I know of many people who can make stunning renders with Internal, so it's not like it's a bad renderer.

Anyway, here are the images! Old images on the top, new images on the bottom.

Great White Shark

 

I tried to recreate the pose of the original. I love how the lighting in the new one shows off the shark's jaw musculature.

Queen Anne Wing Chairs

 

 I didn't like how the old version had no feeling of presence. I used what I learned about composition and focal length (I went a bit lower than the traditional 35 mm) to create a much more impressive looking scene in the new version.

Jade Canine 

 

This is the only case where I still really like the Blender Internal version. A lot of jade does look like the new version, just like a lot looks like the old version, but I just think all the color variation in the old version looks cool.

Cartoony Hammerhead Shark 

 

I like how the highlights are more defused in the new version. I changed the pose to point the other direction because I realized having it point the other way was pointing the viewer away from the next images.

 Screwdrivers and Screws

 These renders are probably the most similar of the bunch. But I think the bottom one has better lighting and a better composition.

Wine and Bar Glasses 

Major change with this one. The biggest is probably the end of the dark blue lighting. And the bottles have some nice reflections going on.

So that's it! Now that I've finished this, I'm going to go back to making new models. I don't think I'll set them up for Blender Internal anymore, though. I read that development on it was discontinued years ago, anyway.

As always, you can get all of these models here, but now you can get them in FBX format, along with the usual OBJ and BLEND.

Until next time!

The Secret Project is Finished!

Remember that secret project I mentioned before? Well, it's finished! I am happy to present BestDogBreedInfo.com!

I'm sure you guys know that I love animals, but you probably didn't know that I was dog obsessed. It's mainly because I've been a dog owner before, but don't have a dog right now. I am completely fixated on getting a new best buddy, probably a retired racing Greyhound.

But in truth, I've been dog obsessed since I was little. I used to memorize the breeds in The New Encyclopedia of the Dog. That knowledge came in handy as I sat down to begin research on the more than 100 dogs listed on BestDogBreedInfo.com. I learned a lot of cool new stuff, too, some of which gave me ideas for artwork.

I'll be adding more breeds profiles, articles, games, and dog blog posts weekly to BDBI, so check back frequently if you love dogs, too! In the meantime, it may be a bit quieter over here as I get the site and its social media (Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr) really running. But that should only last about a week.

So, until next time!

Great Dog Art

Now that I've covered how to draw animals, how to draw dogs (Part 1, Part 2), and listed 10 great dog art tutorials I found, I'm going to end this dog themed week with some inspirational images. Some of these artists are classical dog drawing masters, while others are living artists. Make sure to follow the link on any images you like to see what else the artist has to offer. Enjoy!

 

Beagle by Marshall Robinson

Lady Maria by Oha

Dog's Company by Edgard Farasyn

Australian Shepherd no.2 by Lynn Culp

Basset Hound by Susan Donley

Irish Wolfhound by Elena Kolotusha

Naughty Boy or Compulsory Education by Briton Riviere

Ted by Nicholas Beall

Portrait of "Pearl" by Colette Theriault

Rummy by Danielle Haney

So I hope this was inspirational! There are tons of other great dog artists out there, so I may have to do a post like this again someday. Until then, you can always follow my Pinterest board "Inspiring Images" where I pin all the great art I come across.

Until next time!

How to Draw Dogs: The Best of the Internet

Now that I've given my own tips on how to draw dogs in my two part tutorial (Part 1, Part 2) and my tips on how to draw animals, let's take a look at what other people have to say on the subject of making dog art. I've always found that the best way to learn how to do something artistic, aside from practice, is get various perspectives on the subject. However, it can be hard to find any good tutorials that go beyond simple how-tos for kids, which is why I hope this list will be helpful. If there are any good ones you think I've left out, feel free to leave a comment linking to them!

From Tutorial #2

The Best How to Draw Dogs Tutorials

Please note that in general I don't suggest using tutorials that just teach you how to draw one type of dog in one type of pose, which is why you won't find any here. These can be helpful (and fun) when you're starting out, but you're soon going to want to draw a different dog in a different pose. The only way to learn how to do that is to learn at least some basic anatomy and practice from photos or life (this is how I learned). Step by step how-tos will only take you just so far. I also don't suggest using the grid system, unless you plan on only ever doing pet portraits. It's a very helpful system, but doesn't teach you much about anatomy, which can restrict you later if you want to do any imaginative art.

1. Canine Anatomy Tutorial- This tutorial by Photografever gives a great introduction to canine anatomy and how to use it in relation to posing, without any major skeleton or muscle study required.
2. How to Draw and Shade a Dog Sketch- Shows how to use a phot reference, and gives a short discussion how to see form with light and shadow and how to add fur texture.
3. How to Draw Mammal Legs- A great tutorial by Elruu that explains the do's and dont's of posing animal (mainly canine) legs.
4. Dog Pose Tutorial- A great guide to dog body language and expressions by SleepingDeadGirl.
5. Canine Ear Variations- Dalmatianluver drew some great dog ear references, showcasing the many different types from different angles.
6. Fur Tutorial (Traditional Art) (Digital Art)- Two different tutorials about how to draw fur, since I didn't cover it. These are very detailed and helpful (I've used both).
7. Basic Animal Anatomy- by Majnouna. There's a canine in the third row, but I suggest you read everything because there is some great information in this guide.
8. Dog Teeth Tutorial- This tutorial by WolfPearl goes very in depth into things regarding dog teeth. This is a good read if you're studying dog anatomy seriously.
9. Canine Hind Paw and Forepaw Studies- These aren't exactly tutorials, but if you're wondering what type of art to make when studying dog anatomy, these studies by ArnaThornwolf are great examples. They also are great references of different paw angles and poses.
10. Canine Anatomy Illustrations- I linked to this collection in my tutorials, but it's so helpful that I'm putting it here, too. This isn't a tutorial, but it is my main guide to animal anatomy (canine anatomy begins on the page with images 37-48; "der hund" = the dog). Using this can save you the money you'd normally have to put into buying a decent animal anatomy book. And seeing as how this came from a veterinary anatomy book, you can be sure all the illustrations are scientifically accurate.

An example of dog art from my portfolio

If you have a tutorial you think I should add, leave a link in the comments and I'll take a look at it. And if you're in need of any dog drawing inspiration, in my next post I'm going to show you tons of great dog art (and great dog artists).

Until next time!

How to Draw Dogs: Faces and Bodies

Since this week's theme is dogs, yesterday I covered how to draw dog paws, eyes, and noses, and today I'm going to discuss their faces and bodies. If you are wondering how to get started drawing animals, check out my how to draw animals tutorial. It has videos and a ten step guide for animal drawing.

If you're a new artist, or just want to find some fun new tools or programs to work with, check out my traditional art supply and digital art program recommendations. So, let's get started!

How to Draw Dogs Pt. 2: Face and Bodies

Art Type: Traditional or Digital
I'm Using: MyPaint and an Intuos 4

In this last part of this dog drawing tutorial, I'm going to give you something to put those paws, eyes, and noses on. Just as those details vary in shape, so do dog faces and bodies, but to an even greater extent. Let's start with their faces.

From the University of Wisconsin's Digital Collection

Just as I suggested you study the anatomy behind the dog's paw, I suggest you also study the anatomy of the dog's head. Drawing skulls isn't a morbid activity at all. I find it to be extremely helpful. While I'm limited to photos I find online, you can always buy a fake or real skull that you can turn to draw from all conceivable angles. Let's take a look at some dog faces I drew from photos, keeping in mind the underlying structure.

Something you'll probably notice right away is how varied the faces are. Some dogs have pointier faces, some have rounded faces, and other's faces are more square. Also, some have long muzzles, some have short muzzles, and some have practically no muzzle. Long nosed dogs (like the Greyhound) have what is called dolichocephalic skulls. Medium length muzzles (like those on the Pointer) are called mesocephalic. Compressed muzzles (like the muzzle of a Boxer) are called brachycephalic, and really compressed muzzles (like on a Pug) are called extreme brachycephalic. The terms don't really matter, what matters is how these skull shapes make dogs look different.

Dogs also have very different looking body shapes. And by different, I don't mean just the obvious difference between a Labrador and a Dachshund (though the positioning of Dachshund's legs is very interesting). I'm talking about the more subtle differences as well. Look at these dogs I blocked out and notice some interesting things: #1- Some dogs, like Greyhounds, have deeper chests. This has to do with running and endurance. #2- Some dogs have broader chests. Some breeds, like Bulldogs, are naturally barrel-chested, while some breeders breed dogs like that to make them look tougher. #3- Some dogs have thicker limbs, while other dogs are skinnier. #4- Some dogs are longer than they are tall (the Dachshund isn't the only one, another example is the Cesky Terrier).

Greyhound

Cesky Terrier

By paying attention to all of this, you will be able to replicate dog photos better, and design more interesting dog characters. That's what I think is so great about dogs: they are all so different. You could even play on the differences in their temperaments. Dogs vary from sweet, laid-back, aloof, protective, selfish, etc. Ask any dog owner, and they will give you a list of human-sounding traits that they (probably very accurately) attribute to their dog. Incorporating some personality traits like those into your work will help make your dog art come alive and make you stand out from all the other pet portraitists and dog artists out there.

Reccomended Reading: The New Encyclopedia of the Dog is the reference I've used for all the drawings I made for this two-part tutorial. It's not a drawing book, but it's my go-to reference for all things dog. But you're probably wondering, can't I just Google dogs and get my references and discover fun breeds? Well, you can. But I find that when I Google I tend to get distracted, especially by cute puppy pictures. With this book I can get right to work, and don't have to search around trying to find a proper face angle reference. On top of that, it's easy to flip through it to find interesting new breeds. Lots of people draw Huskies. But how many draw Peruvian Inca Orchid dogs? This book can help you become a more unique dog artist.

A good example of lively dog art, from my old deviantART account

In my next post I'm going to list some good dog drawing tutorials that I've found throughout my searches of the Internet. They may go more in depth into some of the things I covered here.

Until next time!

How to Draw Dogs: Paws, Eyes, and Noses

Since I've now gone over how to draw animals in general, I'm going to go more in depth into how to draw some of them. This week's theme is dogs.

This post (and the next) won't have as much commentary, because I explained how to draw animals in my last post. This post builds upon that one, pointing out some specific things to be aware of when drawing dogs.

If you're a new artist, or just want to find some fun new tools or programs to work with, check out my traditional art supply and digital art program recommendations. So, let's get started!

How to Draw Dogs Pt. 1: Paws, Eyes, and Noses

Art Type: Traditional or Digital
I'm Using: MyPaint and an Intuos 4

Today I'm going to cover some more detailed aspects of dogs: their paws, eyes, and noses. Just because these are smaller details doesn't mean that they are insignificant. People love dogs' cute noses, big paws, and sympathetic eyes, and if you can draw them well, you'll increase the appeal of your dog art.

From the University of Wisconsin's Digital Collection

To understand dog paws better, you really should take a look at the underlying anatomy. I once spent a full week just drawing dog skeletons and skeletons with muscle, and it helped me tons. I now understand more of the little things, like why dogs' bodies have some of the angles and insets that they do. In particular, I learned how paws are set up, which allows me to place the joints and nails more accurately.

From the University of Wisconsin's Digital Collection

Let's take a look at some paws that I drew (blocking on the left, finished sketch on the right). Here are some things to keep in mind: #1- Paws are different shapes. Some are long and flat, some are compact and taller. This will vary depending on what the breed was created to do. Back feet tend to be smaller/more compact than front feet. #2- Claws are short nails, of which the middle two point inwards. Don't make them too long or pointy. Dogs' nails tend to be kept clipped in order to give them better traction on hardwood floors. #3- The way a dog's foot looks when he's standing is somewhat different from when he's lying down. Notice how the paw toward the bottom of the sketch page looks curled in more when in the lying pose. This is the result of muscles.

Now let's look at some noses. Dog noses tend to be universal in shape, though they may vary in width and nostril size. They can also vary a bit in color. Look at the nose of a Papillon versus that of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever . Same shape, different colors.

Papillon (black nose)

Chesapeake Bay Retriever (brown nose)

Lastly, take a look at the eyes of some dogs (sketches above). These vary a lot and will change what you first think of a dog. Big round eyes make you think they're big sweethearts, slanted eyes make them look more intelligent, and squarer eyes make them look slower and sleepier. Eye color also varies. You'll have a different reaction to a dog with dark brown eyes than to one with shocking blue eyes. If you're designing a dog character, these are important things to keep in mind.

Reccomended Reading: The New Encyclopedia of the Dog is the reference I've used for all the drawings I made for this two-part tutorial. It's not a drawing book, but it's my go-to reference for all things dog. But you're probably wondering, can't I just Google dogs and get my references and discover fun breeds? Well, you can. But I find that when I Google I tend to get distracted, especially by cute puppy pictures. With this book I can get right to work, and don't have to search around trying to find a proper face angle reference. On top of that, it's easy to flip through it to find interesting new breeds. Lots of people draw Huskies. But how many draw Peruvian Inca Orchid dogs? This book can help you become a more unique dog artist.

Peruvian Inca Orchid Dog

Next time I'll discuss dog's faces and bodies, so you'll be able to apply what you learned about these details. In the meantime, search for more dog pictures, and see if you can notice the subtle differences in eye and paw shapes. You might also want to see if you can apply what you've learned to dog ears. Up ears can be simplified down to simple triangles, but they have so many interesting shapes that they can be very fun to draw realistically. The same goes for floppy ears. Take a look at some photos and find some fun shapes. Then try to capture those shapes in your drawings.

Until next time!