5 Practical Fantasy Drawing Ideas for Beginners and Experts

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 5 min read

Immerse yourself in the fantastic world of drawing, where imagination meets paper in a symphony of color and lines. Whether you're a beginner just dipping your toes or an artist looking to expand your repertoire, these practical fantasy drawing ideas will help ignite your creativity and refine your skills. From enchanting landscapes to mythical creatures, these steps can help you create your very own fantasy masterpiece.

1. Drawing Fantasy Landscapes

Every fantasy tale needs an awe-inspiring backdrop. Let's start with a fantasy landscape, the bedrock of your fantasy world. Think of it as the stage where all your stories will unfold.

Setting the Scene

First, sketch out the key elements of your scene. It could be a towering castle, a dense enchanted forest, or a serene magical lake. Start with a rough outline, then gradually add details. Keep it simple at first, and don't be afraid to make changes as you go along. Remember, this is your world—you're in control.

Creating Depth

To give your landscape a sense of depth, play around with scale and perspective. Objects closer to you should be larger, while distant ones should be smaller. Use overlapping shapes to give the illusion of depth. For example, a mountain in the background might be partially obscured by a forest in the foreground.

Adding Fantasy Elements

Now, unleash your imagination and sprinkle in some fantasy elements. Hovering islands, crystal caves, or ancient ruins—these are just some of the fantastical features you can add to your landscape. The key is to make these elements blend naturally with the rest of your scene, so they don't stick out awkwardly.

So, there you have it, some practical fantasy drawing ideas to help you create awe-inspiring landscapes. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned artist, these tips can help you bring your imaginations to life.

2. Designing Fantasy Characters

Now that you've set the stage with an enchanting landscape, let's populate it with some interesting characters. From valiant knights to cunning wizards, your characters are the lifeblood of your fantasy world, driving the story forward with their actions and decisions.

Building Your Character

Begin by imagining your character's physical appearance, personality, and backstory. Sketch a rough outline of your character, then gradually add details. Remember to give them unique features—like a distinctive hairstyle, a facial scar, or a magical amulet—that make them stand out. This is your chance to breathe life into your characters, making them real, relatable, and memorable.

Character Outfits and Accessories

Clothing and accessories can say a lot about a character. A warrior might wear sturdy armor and carry a mighty sword, while a sorcerer might don a flowing robe and hold a crystal-tipped staff. These details can give hints about a character's profession, status, or personality. So choose them carefully, and make sure they reflect your character's identity.

Depicting Character Emotions

Emotion adds depth and realism to your characters, making them more relatable to the viewer. Use facial expressions, body language, and posture to convey your character's feelings. A clenched fist might show anger, while a slumped shoulder could suggest sadness. Remember, subtlety is key. A slight frown or a raised eyebrow can speak volumes.

Designing fantasy characters can be a fun and rewarding process. With these practical fantasy drawing ideas, you can create dynamic, captivating characters that viewers will love. So grab your sketchbook and start drawing—the world of fantasy awaits!

3. Using Colors in Fantasy Drawings

Alright, we've got our characters. Now let's add some color! Using colors effectively can bring your fantasy drawings to life, creating mood, depth, and realism.

Choosing Your Color Palette

The colors you choose can set the tone for your entire drawing. For a serene, peaceful scene, you might use soft blues and greens. For a dramatic, intense battle scene, you might opt for bold reds and blacks. Remember, colors can evoke emotions—so choose your palette with care.

Blending Colors

Blending is the key to creating smooth, realistic color transitions in your drawings. Start with your lightest colors, then slowly build up to your darker shades. You can use tools like colorless blender pencils or a simple tissue to smooth out your colors and eliminate harsh lines. But remember—patience is key here. Good blending takes time, but the result is well worth it.

Light and Shadow Effects

Light and shadow can create a sense of depth and volume, making your drawings more dimensional and realistic. Pay attention to your light source and how it interacts with your characters and elements. Use lighter colors for illuminated areas and darker shades for shadows. This contrast can add a whole new level of depth to your drawings.

Colors can be a powerful tool in your fantasy drawing ideas. With a little practice, you can use them to create stunning, vibrant artworks that captivate the viewer's attention. So don't be afraid to experiment—grab your colored pencils and let your imagination run wild!

4. Drawing Fantasy Creatures

Now that we've mastered the art of using colors, let's tackle one of the most exciting parts of fantasy drawing: creating your own creatures. This is where your imagination really comes into play!

Sketching Your Creature

Before you dive into details, start with a basic sketch of your creature. What does its body shape look like? Does it have wings, horns, multiple heads? Sketching these major elements first helps you get the proportions right before you start adding in the smaller details.

Defining Creature Features

Now comes the fun part: adding features that make your creature truly unique. Think about its eyes, scales, feathers, fur, teeth—the sky's the limit here. These features can give your creature personality and make it truly one-of-a-kind in your fantasy drawing ideas.

Bringing Your Creature to Life

Once you've defined your creature's features, it's time to bring it to life with shading and coloring. Remember the techniques we discussed earlier—use light and shadow to add volume and depth, and remember to blend your colors for a smooth, realistic look. This can make your creature appear more lifelike and dynamic.

Creating your own fantasy creatures can be a truly rewarding experience. It provides a fantastic opportunity to let your imagination run wild and create something truly unique. So why not give it a try? Who knows, you might just create the next iconic fantasy creature!

5. Creating a Fantasy World Map

Now that we've breathed life into our fantasy creatures, let's give them a world to inhabit. Creating a fantasy world map can be just as fun and imaginative as drawing the creatures themselves. Let's dive into it!

Mapping Out Your World

Start by visualizing and sketching out the general shape and layout of your world. It could be a collection of islands, a vast continent, or floating realms in the sky. Remember, this is your world—there are no rules!

Adding Geographical Features

Next, add geographical features like mountains, rivers, forests, and cities. These elements can give your world character and make it feel lived-in. They also provide interesting settings for your fantasy creatures and characters.

Labeling Your Map

Finally, give names to the geographical features and locations in your world. This is where you can get really creative with names that match the atmosphere and tone of your fantasy world. Labeling your map not only adds depth, but it also makes your world more immersive.

Creating a fantasy world map is a great way to visualize the setting of your story. You might even find that it sparks new fantasy drawing ideas for characters and creatures. So, grab your favorite sketchbook and let your imagination guide you. Happy mapping!

If you're looking to expand your fantasy drawing skills even further, don't miss out on Hope Christofferson's workshop, 'From Dream to Reality: The Magic of Concept-Art'. This workshop will help you unlock the magic of concept art and transform your creative ideas into stunning visual masterpieces. Both beginners and experts will benefit from Hope's expert guidance and inspiring techniques.