Drawing Forest Animals: 5 Practical Tips for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Embarking on the journey of drawing forest animals can be an exciting venture. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the beauty of nature while enhancing your artistic skills. As a beginner, you might not know where to start or what to focus on. Don't worry, we're here to help you. With these five practical tips, you'll be well on your way to creating captivating forest animals drawings that come to life on the page.

1. Gather Your Drawing Materials

Before we dive into the art of drawing forest animals, it's essential to gather the right tools. Just like a chef would need the right ingredients to cook a delicious meal, artists need the right materials to create their masterpiece. Here are some things you'll need:

Choose Quality Sketching Pencils

When it comes to forest animals drawing, the quality of your sketching pencils can make a significant difference. A good set of pencils can provide a range of shades, from light to dark, allowing you to capture the nuances of your subject. Brands like Faber-Castell and Derwent are known for their quality and range. Remember, it's not about having the most expensive tools—it's about understanding how to use them effectively.

Pick the Right Sketchbook

Choosing the right sketchbook is equally important. The paper you draw on can affect the final outcome of your forest animals drawing. For instance, you might want a sketchbook with heavy, smooth paper if you plan on using a lot of shading or detail. Sketchbooks from Strathmore and Moleskine are popular choices among artists for their high-quality paper and durability.

Consider Using a Drawing Board

Lastly, consider using a drawing board. This might seem like an optional tool, but it can significantly enhance your drawing experience. It provides a sturdy, flat surface to draw on, which can be particularly helpful when you're working on detailed drawings of forest animals. Alvin and Martin Universal Design are well-known brands that offer a wide range of drawing boards, from portable ones to professional-grade.

Now that we've covered the basics of gathering your drawing materials, let's move on to the next step—studying the anatomy of forest animals.

2. Study Forest Animal Anatomy

Once you've gathered your drawing materials, it's time to study. Yes, that's right, studying can be a part of drawing too! Understanding the anatomy of forest animals will be a huge boost to your drawing skills. It will help you capture the realism and essence of the animals you're drawing. Here's how you can approach this:

Focus on the Basics

Start with basic shapes and forms. Is the body of a bear more of a rectangle or an oval? How about the head? Breaking down complex forms into simpler shapes will make your forest animals drawing much easier. Don't worry about the details at first. Focus on capturing the overall structure and proportions of the animal.

Observe Real Animals

Whenever possible, try to observe real animals and their movements. Visit a nearby forest or zoo, or even watch documentaries about forest animals. Pay attention to how an animal moves, how it behaves. This will not only help you understand their anatomy better but also breathe life into your drawings. Remember, your goal is not just to draw an animal, but to capture its spirit.

Practice Drawing Regularly

Like any other skill, drawing improves with practice. Make it a habit to sketch regularly. It doesn't always have to be a detailed, finished piece. Even a quick sketch of a squirrel or a bird, done regularly, can significantly improve your forest animals drawing skills. After all, practice makes perfect—or at least, much better!

Moving on, let's talk about an aspect of drawing that can truly make your work stand out—shading.

3. Master the Art of Shading

Shading is like the secret sauce of drawing. It can transform a flat, dull sketch into a lively, three-dimensional forest animals drawing. So, let's dive into some shading techniques that you can apply to your drawings:

Learn About Light and Shadow

Light and shadow play a key role in bringing a sense of depth and volume to your drawings. Imagine a light source and think about how it would cast shadows on your animal. Which parts would be lighter, and which parts would be darker? Understanding this will help you add a realistic touch to your forest animals drawings.

Experiment with Different Shading Techniques

There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to shading. Different techniques can create different textures and effects. For example, hatching (drawing parallel lines) can create a rough texture, whereas blending (smudging the lines) can create a smoother texture. Don't be afraid to experiment and see what works best for your forest animals drawing.

Practice Shading with Simple Shapes

Before you apply shading to complex forms like animals, practice with simpler shapes first. Draw a sphere, a cube, or a cylinder, and try to shade them. This will give you a better understanding of how light and shadow work on different surfaces.

Now that you have a good grasp on shading, let's add some more depth and detail to your drawings with textures.

4. Create Detailed Textures

Texture is what makes your drawing come alive. It's the difference between a flat coloring book page and a realistic forest animals drawing. So how can you create detailed textures? Here are some practical tips:

Learn to Draw Fur and Feathers

Drawing fur and feathers can be tricky, but with a few techniques up your sleeve, you can make your forest animals look more lifelike. When drawing fur, remember that it's not just lines, but layers of hair. Draw in the direction of the hair growth, start light and gradually build up the darkness. As for feathers, they have a specific pattern and structure. Drawing individual lines converging to a central quill can give a convincing feather effect.

Practice Drawing Scales and Skin

Scales and skin textures can add a lot of interest to your forest animals drawing. For scales, try drawing small, overlapping shapes. Remember to keep them irregular for a natural look. For skin, observe the animal's skin closely. Is it smooth or wrinkled? Does it have any unique patterns? Capture these details in your drawing to make it more realistic.

Experiment with Different Texturing Techniques

Just like with shading, there's no one-size-fits-all technique for creating textures. Different techniques can create different effects. For example, stippling (creating a pattern using small dots) can create a rough, grainy texture. Don't be afraid to experiment and see what works best for your forest animals drawing.

So you've mastered shading and texture. What's next? Let's talk about developing your own unique style.

5. Develop Your Own Style

One of the most exciting aspects of drawing forest animals is developing your own unique style. This is a chance for your personality to shine through your work. But how do you find your style? Here are some tips:

Take Inspiration from Other Artists

Every artist has their own unique style, and by studying their work, you can find elements that resonate with you. Maybe you like the simplicity of Charley Harper's geometric designs, or the intricate detail of Raymond Harris-Ching's wildlife art. Don't copy, but let their work inspire your own forest animals drawing.

Experiment with Different Styles

From realistic to abstract, there are numerous styles you can explore in your forest animals drawing. Each style will teach you something new and help you understand what you enjoy drawing the most. So don't limit yourself to one style, experiment and see what suits you best.

Keep Practicing and Evolving

Your style will evolve over time, and that's a good thing. As you continue to draw, you'll learn new techniques, discover new interests, and your style will naturally change. So keep practicing and let your style evolve with you.

Remember, your style is a reflection of you. It's unique, personal, and something to be proud of. So embrace it, develop it, and most importantly, enjoy the journey of creating your own forest animals drawing.

If you're eager to improve your skills in drawing forest animals, we highly recommend exploring the workshop 'Basic Animal Anatomy for Artists' by Viktoria. This workshop will provide you with a solid foundation in animal anatomy, which is essential for accurately depicting your favorite forest creatures. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your artistic abilities and bring your animal drawings to life!