5 Easy Steps to Draw a Simple Wolf: A Beginner's Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Have you ever wished to sketch a wolf but didn't know where to start? Don't fret! Your dream of creating an easy simple wolf drawing is just five steps away. This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through a step-by-step process that transforms a few simple shapes into a magnificent wolf on paper. So, let's dive in!

1. Gather Your Materials

Before you start with your easy simple wolf drawing, it's important to make sure you have the right materials at hand. Each material plays a unique role in your drawing process. Here's what you'll need:

Selecting Your Paper

Choosing the right paper can make a world of difference in your drawing. For a beginner, a standard sketchbook paper is a great option. It has a smooth texture and can hold pencil marks well. For a more advanced drawing, consider using a drawing paper pad, which is thicker and has a slight grain, perfect for adding depth to your wolf's fur. Remember, the choice of paper could be the difference between a good and a great drawing!

Choosing the Right Pencil

Your pencil is your magic wand. For your easy simple wolf drawing, a standard HB pencil will do just fine for sketching the basic shapes. As you progress, you might want to add details using a 2B pencil. It gives darker, richer lines that help to bring out the finer details. And for the darkest areas like the pupil of the eyes or the nose, a 6B pencil is your best bet. Remember, drawing is not a one pencil job—each pencil type has its unique role.

Using an Eraser

Even the best artists make mistakes, and that's where the eraser comes in. A standard eraser is great for removing large areas of graphite. For erasing tiny details like the highlights in the eyes, a kneaded eraser would be your best friend. It's soft and pliable, allowing you to shape it into a point for precision erasing. So, don't be afraid to make mistakes—you've got the power to erase!

Now that you've gathered your materials, you're all set to start your journey of creating an easy simple wolf drawing. Let's move onto sketching the basic shapes of your wolf!

2. Start with Basic Shapes

With the right materials in place, it's time to breathe life into your canvas. But wait, drawing a wolf from scratch seems daunting, right? Not anymore! By breaking down the complex structure of a wolf into basic shapes, you can simplify your drawing process. So, let's start sketching the basic forms of your easy simple wolf drawing.

Drawing the Head

First things first, let's start with the head. Picture it as a combination of two basic shapes: a circle for the skull and a triangle for the snout. The location of the head will guide the placement of the rest of the body, so choose wisely. Remember, the head is not just a shape—it's the command center of your wolf drawing.

Sketching the Body

Now, let's move onto the body. Imagine it as a couple of elongated ovals—one for the chest and the other for the hips. Connect these ovals with two parallel lines to represent the spine. At this stage, don't worry about details; just focus on getting the overall form right. Remember, the body is not just a shape—it's the foundation of your wolf drawing.

Outlining the Tail

Let's finish the basic shapes with the tail. Visualize it as a long, curved triangle extending from the hindquarters. The tail adds balance to the wolf's body and conveys its emotional state, so don't neglect it. Remember, the tail is not just a shape—it's the expressive element of your wolf drawing.

Great job! You've successfully sketched the basic shapes of your wolf. These shapes will serve as a guide as you add more details to your easy simple wolf drawing. So, let's proceed to the next step—adding details to your wolf!

3. Add Details to Your Wolf

Now that you've got your basic shapes down, it's time to bring some personality to your wolf. Adding details will transform your simple shapes into a living, breathing creature. Don't worry, we're going to take it one step at a time. Ready to add some character to your easy simple wolf drawing?

Creating the Fur

Let's start by adding some fluffy fur to your wolf. To do this, you can lightly sketch short, zigzag lines along the body, tail, and head. Remember to follow the direction of the fur growth. This is where your wolf starts to feel real, so take your time and enjoy the process.

Drawing the Eyes

Next, let's move on to the eyes—windows to the soul of your wolf. You can draw them as almond shapes on either side of the snout. Add a small circle inside for the pupil and leave a tiny white spot for the reflection. The eyes will give your wolf its expression, so don't be afraid to experiment until you get the look you want.

Sketching the Nose and Mouth

Finally, let's sketch the nose and mouth. The nose can be a simple inverted triangle at the end of the snout. For the mouth, draw a line from the nose down to the bottom of the snout, with a "Y" shape at the end for the opening. These features are key for giving your wolf its distinct look, so don't rush through this part.

There you go! You've added some essential details to your wolf. Your easy simple wolf drawing is starting to come alive, isn't it? But we're not done yet. It's time to refine your drawing and make your wolf truly stand out.

4. Refine Your Drawing

Now that you've added personality to your wolf, it's time to refine your easy simple wolf drawing. This is where you can make your wolf look even more realistic and clear. Let's sharpen those lines and add some depth, shall we?

Smoothing Out Lines

First things first, let's smooth out any jagged lines. Go back to your drawing and gently use your pencil to refine any rough edges. Be sure to keep the lines of the fur soft, while the eyes and nose should be more defined. This will help each part of your wolf stand out in its own way.

Adding Shading

Next, we'll add some shading to give your wolf a 3D effect. The key here is to observe where the light source is coming from. If the light is coming from the left, the right side of your wolf will be shadowed. Use your pencil to lightly shade these areas, and you'll see your wolf come to life.

Highlighting Details

Lastly, let's highlight the details. This involves going back and adding emphasis to the eyes, fur, and other key areas. For example, you might want to darken the pupils, or add some extra lines to the fur for texture. Remember, the details are what make your wolf unique, so feel free to add your own personal touch.

Well done! By now, your wolf should be looking pretty impressive. You've successfully refined your easy simple wolf drawing. But we're not wrapping up just yet. Let's move on to the final step—finalizing your artwork.

5. Finalize Your Artwork

You're almost there! It's time to put the finishing touches on your easy simple wolf drawing. This is where you'll clean up any stray lines, add the finishing touches that make your drawing truly yours, and finally sit back to admire your work.

Cleaning Up Your Work

Grab your eraser and carefully remove any stray lines or smudges. This step is all about making your drawing neat and presentable. Keep an eye out for any lines that are too light or too heavy, and adjust them as needed. The goal is to make your drawing as clean and clear as possible.

Adding the Finishing Touches

Now it's time for the fun part—adding the finishing touches. This could be anything from darkening certain lines to adding more texture to the fur. You could even add a backdrop, like a moon or forest, to give your wolf a habitat. This is your chance to get creative and make your drawing truly unique.

Appreciating Your Drawing

Finally, take a moment to appreciate your masterpiece. You've worked hard, and you've created an easy simple wolf drawing that you can be proud of. Take a step back and admire your work. Doesn't it feel great to see the finished product of your effort?

Remember, drawing is a skill that improves with practice. So keep drawing, keep refining, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process. Happy sketching!

If you enjoyed learning about how to draw a simple wolf and want to further develop your skills in animal drawing, check out the workshop, 'Basic Animal Anatomy for Artists' by Viktoria. This workshop will provide you with essential knowledge on animal anatomy, helping you to create more realistic and captivating animal illustrations.