How to Draw a Beagle: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 6 June 2023 9 min read

Are you interested in learning how to draw a beagle? You're in luck! In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk through the process of creating a beagle drawing from scratch. We'll cover everything from the materials you'll need to the finishing touches that will make your artwork stand out. Whether you're a beginner or a more experienced artist looking to expand your skills, this guide will provide you with the tools and techniques necessary to create a lifelike beagle drawing.

1. Getting Started with How to Draw a Beagle

Before we dive into the actual drawing process, let's go over some basic concepts and materials that will help you get started on your beagle drawing journey.

Materials Needed for Drawing

Having the right materials on hand can make all the difference when it comes to the quality of your artwork. For this beagle drawing, you'll want to gather the following supplies:

Pencils: A variety of graphite pencils, ranging from 2H to 6B, will give you the flexibility to create different line weights and shading.
Eraser: A quality eraser will allow you to make adjustments and fix mistakes as you go.
Paper: Choose a smooth, heavyweight paper that can handle pencil and eraser work without tearing or smudging.
Blending tools: Tortillons, blending stumps, or even your fingers can help you blend and smooth out your shading.
Colored pencils or markers: If you want to add color to your beagle drawing, have some colored pencils or markers on hand.

Understanding Basic Shapes

Breaking down complex objects into simpler shapes can make drawing much easier, especially for beginners. When learning how to draw a beagle, start by identifying the basic shapes that make up the dog's body, such as circles, ovals, and rectangles. These shapes will serve as the foundation for your drawing and help you maintain the correct proportions and structure as you add more detail.

Mastering Proportions and Scale

Getting the proportions and scale right is key to creating a realistic beagle drawing. To help with this, use guidelines to divide your paper into sections, which will make it easier to place the dog's features accurately. You can also use reference images of beagles to study their proportions and familiarize yourself with their unique characteristics, like their large, floppy ears and short legs. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first few attempts aren't perfect—you'll improve with time and patience.

2. Drawing the Beagle's Head

Now that you're familiar with the materials and basic concepts, let's dive into the exciting part—drawing the beagle's head! We'll break it down into simple steps, so you can easily follow along and create a lifelike beagle drawing.

Creating the Basic Head Shape

Begin by sketching a circle for the beagle's head. This will serve as a base for adding the facial features later on. Next, draw two horizontal lines intersecting at the center of the circle. The top line represents the eye level, while the bottom line indicates the nose level. This will help you properly place the facial features when learning how to draw a beagle.

After establishing these guidelines, draw a small oval slightly below the bottom line for the beagle's nose. Then, connect the nose to the bottom of the circle with two curved lines to create the muzzle. Remember to keep your lines light and loose at this stage, as you'll be refining and adding more details later.

Adding Facial Features

With the basic head shape in place, it's time to add the eyes, nose, and mouth. Beagles have expressive eyes, so pay close attention to their shape and placement. Draw two almond-shaped eyes on either side of the top horizontal line, making sure they're evenly spaced. Then, add small, dark circles for the pupils, giving your beagle a lively and friendly look.

For the nose, darken the small oval you sketched earlier and add nostrils for a more realistic appearance. Finally, create the mouth by drawing a "W" shape below the nose, extending the lines down and curving them slightly upward at the ends to give your beagle a happy expression.

Drawing the Ears

One of the most distinctive features of a beagle is its long, floppy ears. To draw them, start at the top of the head and sketch two curved lines that extend down past the eye level. The ears should be wide at the base and taper down to a rounded point at the ends. Make sure the ears are symmetrical and have a natural, droopy appearance—this is a key aspect of learning how to draw a beagle.

Once you're satisfied with the shape of the ears, add some light lines inside them to suggest folds and creases, giving your beagle drawing more depth and realism. Remember, it's all about capturing the unique characteristics of this lovable breed!

3. Drawing the Beagle's Body

With the head completed, it's time to move on to the body. Just like with the head, we'll break it down into smaller steps to make it easier for you to follow along and create a realistic beagle drawing.

3. Drawing the Beagle's Body

Great job on completing the head! Now let's move on to the body. As with the head, we'll break this section down into smaller steps, so you can easily follow along and learn how to draw a beagle's body in a realistic and accurate way.

Constructing the Body Shape

First, let's start with the basic shape of the beagle's body. Draw an oval, slightly larger than the head, for the body's base. This will help you keep the proportions accurate while learning how to draw a beagle. Position the oval just below the head, leaving a small gap for the neck. Then, sketch a slightly curved line connecting the head and body to create the neck.

Beagles have a sturdy and muscular build, so keep that in mind when drawing the body shape. Make sure the oval isn't too slim or too rounded, but rather represents the strong and compact nature of this breed.

Sketching the Legs

Now that we have the basic body shape in place, it's time to add the beagle's legs. Beagles have relatively short and strong legs, so make sure to keep them in proportion with the body. Draw two sets of parallel lines for the front legs, starting from the lower part of the body and extending downward. The front legs should be straight and evenly spaced.

For the back legs, draw a slightly angled line for the upper part of each leg, and then add a curve for the lower part, creating a natural bend at the knee. Finally, sketch in the paws at the end of each leg. Beagles have compact, rounded paws, which will help give your drawing an authentic appearance.

Designing the Tail

It's time to complete the body by adding the beagle's tail. Beagles have a medium-length, slightly curved tail. To draw it, start at the base of the back and sketch a tapered, curved line extending upward and slightly away from the body. The tail should be thick at the base and narrow toward the tip. Don't forget to add a bit of fluffiness to the tail, as beagles have a moderately bushy tail.

Now that you have the basic shape of the tail, you can add some texture to it by drawing a few light lines along the length of the tail. This will help create the appearance of fur and make your beagle drawing look even more realistic.

4. Adding Details to Your Beagle Drawing

With the head and body complete, let's focus on adding details to your beagle drawing. This will help bring your artwork to life and make your beagle look more realistic and expressive. In this section, we'll cover fur texture, shading, and color, which are essential aspects of learning how to draw a beagle.

4. Adding Details to Your Beagle Drawing

Now that we have the basic structure of your beagle drawing, it's time to bring it to life with added details. This is where your beagle will truly start to take shape and look more realistic. We'll go through creating fur texture, shading, and adding color. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques as you learn how to draw a beagle.

Creating Fur Texture

One of the defining characteristics of beagles is their short, dense coat. To recreate this texture, use a series of short, curved lines that follow the contours of the body. Start with the face and work your way down, paying attention to areas where the fur might be thicker or change direction, such as around the ears and legs.

Keep in mind that less is often more when it comes to fur texture. You don't need to draw every individual hair—just enough to give the impression of a furry coat. Experiment with different line weights and lengths to see what works best for your beagle drawing.

Shading and Depth

Shading is an important aspect of learning how to draw a beagle, as it adds depth and dimension to your drawing. Start by identifying the light source in your drawing, which will help you determine where shadows should fall. Typically, shadows will appear on the opposite side of the light source, so keep this in mind as you add shading.

Use a combination of hatching and cross-hatching techniques to build up layers of shading. Hatching involves drawing parallel lines close together, while cross-hatching adds another layer of lines going in the opposite direction. Focus on areas like the underside of the body, the insides of the legs, and areas where the body overlaps, such as where the legs meet the body.

Adding Color

Color is the final touch that will bring your beagle drawing to life. Beagles have a variety of coat colors, but the most common combination is the tricolor pattern of black, tan, and white. Start by lightly coloring the main areas of the body with a base color, such as tan or white.

Next, add darker colors like black and brown to create patterns and markings on the coat. Beagles typically have black saddles on their backs, and their faces often display a mix of tan and white. Don't forget to add some color to the eyes and nose to make them stand out. Finally, use an eraser to gently lift any stray pencil marks and reveal your beautifully colored beagle drawing.

5. Finishing Touches for Your Beagle Drawing

With the details in place, it's time to add the finishing touches to your beagle drawing. This is the stage where you can truly personalize your artwork and make it your own. In this section, we'll cover designing a background, signing your artwork, and framing and displaying your finished masterpiece.

5. Finishing Touches for Your Beagle Drawing

Now that your beagle is looking as lifelike as possible, it's time to give your drawing a polished and complete appearance. In this final stage, we'll go over designing a background, signing your artwork, and framing and displaying your finished masterpiece. These finishing touches will help you take pride in your creation and showcase your skills in mastering how to draw a beagle.

Designing a Background

A well-designed background can really make your beagle drawing stand out. When choosing a background, think about the setting in which you'd typically find a beagle. For instance, you could draw your beagle playing in a park, lounging at home, or going for a walk in the neighborhood. The key is to keep it simple and avoid overpowering your main subject—the beagle.

When drawing your background, use lighter lines and colors to create a sense of depth and to keep the focus on your beagle. You can also experiment with different techniques like stippling, which involves creating small dots to form an image, or using soft gradients to represent the sky or ground. Remember, the background should complement your beagle drawing, not compete with it.

Signing Your Artwork

Signing your artwork is a way to put your personal stamp on your creation and to take pride in your accomplishment of learning how to draw a beagle. Choose a spot near the bottom of your drawing that won't distract from your beagle. You can use your initials, full name, or even a creative symbol that represents you as an artist.

When signing your drawing, use a pen or pencil that complements the colors and style of your artwork. For example, if you've used graphite pencils for your drawing, sign it with a graphite pencil as well. This not only keeps your signature consistent with the rest of the drawing, but it also ensures that your signature won't fade or smudge over time.

Framing and Displaying Your Beagle Drawing

Framing your beagle drawing is an excellent way to protect your artwork and showcase your newfound skill of drawing beagles. Choose a frame that complements the colors and style of your drawing. Simple frames often work best, as they allow your beagle to take center stage.

When displaying your framed beagle drawing, consider placing it in an area with good lighting and limited direct sunlight, as this can cause the colors to fade over time. Additionally, choose a spot where your drawing can be easily seen and appreciated by others. After all, you've worked hard to learn how to draw a beagle, so why not show off your artistic talents?

In conclusion, learning how to draw a beagle can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. By following this step-by-step guide and adding your own personal touches, you can create a beautiful and lifelike beagle drawing that showcases your artistic skills and passion for these lovable dogs. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your drawing materials, and let's bring your beagle to life!

If you enjoyed learning how to draw a beagle and want to expand your drawing skills further, check out the workshop 'Basic Animal Anatomy for Artists' by Viktoria. This workshop will provide you with the essential knowledge and techniques to confidently draw a variety of animals, helping you improve as an artist and create more realistic drawings.