Step-by-Step Guide: Draw a Forest with Animals for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 6 June 2023 10 min read

Imagine creating a beautiful forest drawing with animals that transports you and others to a serene, natural environment. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the process of creating a captivating forest scene with animals, even if you're a beginner. By following these simple steps, you'll soon have a piece of art that not only showcases your creativity but also brings the beauty of nature to life.

1. Setting the Scene for Your Forest Drawing with Animals

Before we dive into the actual drawing, let's set the stage for your masterpiece. This involves choosing a theme, sketching the landscape, and adding background elements. Each of these steps will help you create a solid foundation for your forest drawing with animals.

Choosing a Theme for Your Forest

First, decide on the overall theme or mood you want to convey in your drawing. This could be anything from a peaceful, sunlit forest to a mysterious, moonlit woodland. Think about the elements that make up a typical forest scene, such as trees, bushes, and rocks. Your choice of theme will help guide your decisions about which animals to include and how to arrange them within the scene.

Some popular forest themes include:

Tropical rainforest: lush vegetation, exotic animals, and vibrant colors
Autumn woodland: colorful leaves, crisp air, and animals preparing for winter
Winter wonderland: snow-covered trees, icy landscapes, and animals in their winter coats

Sketching the Landscape

With your theme in mind, it's time to sketch the landscape for your forest drawing with animals. Start by drawing a rough outline of the main elements in your scene, such as hills, valleys, or rivers. This will give you a sense of the overall layout and help ensure that your drawing is well-balanced.

Remember to vary the size and shape of the elements in your landscape to create visual interest. For example, if you're drawing a hill, you could have one side steeper than the other, or include a small stream winding through the scene. The goal is to create a natural and dynamic environment for your forest animals.

Adding Background Elements

To further set the stage for your forest drawing with animals, you'll want to add background elements such as trees, bushes, and rocks. These components not only provide depth to your drawing but also create a more realistic environment for your animals.

When adding these elements, consider their size, shape, and placement in relation to your theme. For example, in a tropical rainforest, you might have tall, thin trees with large leaves, while an autumn woodland could feature shorter trees with colorful foliage. Be sure to layer these background elements—placing some closer together and others farther apart—to create an illusion of depth in your drawing.

2. Drawing Forest Animals

Now that you've set the stage for your forest drawing, it's time to bring in the stars of the show—the animals! In this section, we'll guide you through selecting the right animals for your forest theme, sketching them in a way that's approachable for beginners, and placing them within your scene to create a harmonious composition.

Selecting the Animals for Your Forest Drawing

When choosing the animals to include in your forest drawing, consider the theme and landscape you've already established. Think about which animals would naturally inhabit the type of forest you're depicting, and how they might interact with one another and their environment. This will not only make your drawing more realistic but also give it a sense of life and movement.

For example, if you're drawing a tropical rainforest, you might include animals such as:

Monkeys swinging from tree branches
Colorful birds perched on leaves
Butterflies fluttering among the foliage

On the other hand, an autumn woodland could feature animals like:

Deer grazing on fallen leaves
Squirrels collecting acorns
Raccoons foraging for food

Sketching the Animals

Once you've chosen the animals for your forest drawing with animals, it's time to start sketching them. Don't worry if you're not an expert at drawing animals—there are some simple techniques you can use to make the process more approachable.

Begin by breaking each animal down into basic shapes, like circles, ovals, and rectangles. This will help you capture the overall form and proportions of the animal without getting bogged down in details. For example, a deer's body might consist of an oval for the torso, a smaller oval for the head, and several rectangles for the legs. Once you have these basic shapes in place, you can refine them and add more detail—like fur, facial features, and texture—until your animal comes to life.

Positioning the Animals in the Scene

With your animals sketched out, you'll need to place them within your forest scene in a way that feels natural and balanced. Consider the size, shape, and behavior of each animal when deciding where to position them. For instance, a large, lumbering bear might be better suited to a clearing in the forest, while a nimble squirrel could be perched on a tree branch.

As you arrange your animals, pay attention to the overall composition of your drawing. You'll want to create a sense of balance and harmony by distributing the animals evenly throughout the scene. Additionally, consider how the animals interact with one another and their surroundings—maybe a deer is grazing near a stream, or a family of birds is nesting in a tree. By placing your animals thoughtfully, you'll create a captivating and dynamic forest drawing with animals that tells a story.

3. Adding Details to Your Forest Drawing with Animals

With the foundation of your forest drawing in place and your animals sketched out, it's time to bring your artwork to life by adding details. In this section, we'll focus on enhancing your forest drawing with animals by incorporating trees, textures, and shadows that will give your composition depth and realism.

Drawing Trees and Vegetation

Trees are a vital component of any forest scene, and including a variety of them in your drawing will make your forest look more realistic and diverse. Start by sketching out simple tree shapes using straight lines for trunks and branches, and adding basic shapes like circles or ovals for foliage. You don't need to be a botanist to create a convincing forest; just remember to vary the size, shape, and spacing of your trees to create a natural look.

Once you have the basic tree structures in place, it's time to add some vegetation. Consider incorporating plants like ferns, bushes, and flowers to fill in the forest floor and add visual interest to your drawing. As with the trees, vary the size, shape, and placement of these elements to create a sense of depth and realism in your forest drawing with animals.

Drawing Textures and Patterns

Textures and patterns are what make your forest drawing with animals come alive. To add texture to your trees, use simple lines and shading to suggest bark, leaves, and moss. For plants on the forest floor, use small lines and dots to create the appearance of grass, underbrush, and fallen leaves. Remember, you don't need to draw every single detail—just enough to give the impression of texture and create a sense of depth.

The same principle applies to your animals. Add fur, feathers, or scales to your creatures using short lines and shading. Pay attention to the direction of the texture—fur on a deer's back, for example, should flow along the contours of its body. Adding these details will make your forest creatures appear more realistic and help them blend seamlessly into their environment.

Adding Shadows and Highlights

Shadows and highlights are key to giving your forest drawing with animals a sense of depth and dimension. To add shadows, consider the direction of the light source in your scene—perhaps sunlight is filtering through the trees from above, or maybe a soft glow is coming from a setting sun. Use shading to add shadows to the areas of your drawing that would naturally be darker, like the underside of branches or the forest floor beneath a tree canopy.

Highlights, on the other hand, should be added to the parts of your drawing that would catch the light. For example, the tops of trees or the edges of leaves might be illuminated by sunlight. You can use lighter strokes or even an eraser to create these highlights. By incorporating shadows and highlights, you'll add depth and realism to your forest drawing with animals, making it a truly captivating piece of art.

Now that your forest drawing with animals is full of details and depth, let's move on to the next step: adding color. In the next section, we'll discuss selecting colors, coloring techniques, and blending tips to make your artwork truly come alive.

4. Coloring the Forest Drawing with Animals

Now that you have added depth and detail to your forest drawing with animals, it's time to bring your artwork to life with color. In this section, we'll explore selecting the right colors, various coloring techniques, and blending tips to make your forest drawing with animals truly vibrant and eye-catching.

Selecting Colors for Your Drawing

When it comes to choosing colors for your forest drawing with animals, think about the mood and atmosphere you want to convey. Do you want a bright, sunny day or a mysterious, twilight scene? Consider the natural colors found in forests, such as various shades of green, brown, and earthy tones. However, don't be afraid to add some pops of color with bright flowers, bird plumage, or even the fur of a colorful creature. Remember, it's your artwork, so feel free to use your creativity and personal preferences to make it uniquely yours.

When selecting colors, also consider the medium you'll be using—colored pencils, markers, watercolors, or digital painting. Each medium has its own set of characteristics that will affect the final outcome of your forest drawing with animals. For example, colored pencils allow for precise shading and blending, while watercolors create a more fluid and organic look.

Coloring Techniques

There are various coloring techniques you can use to bring your forest drawing with animals to life. For instance, you might use hatching, which consists of drawing parallel lines close together, to create shadows and textures. Another technique is stippling, where you create texture and value by adding small dots of color. Experiment with different techniques to find the ones that work best for you and your chosen medium.

As you color your forest drawing, pay attention to the direction of your strokes. For example, when coloring the fur of an animal, follow the natural direction of the fur growth to create a more realistic look. Similarly, for tree bark or grass, use strokes that follow the direction of growth to create a sense of depth and texture.

Blending Colors for a Natural Look

Blending colors is an essential skill for creating a realistic and visually appealing forest drawing with animals. When blending colors, start with your lightest shade and gradually build up to the darker tones. This will help you achieve a smooth transition between colors and create a more natural appearance. For example, when coloring a tree, start with a light green for the leaves and gradually add darker shades to create depth and shadow.

Each medium has its own methods for blending. For colored pencils, you can use a colorless blender or a white pencil to help smooth out the transitions between colors. For watercolors, you can use a wet brush to blend colors together while the paint is still damp. Experiment with different blending methods to find the one that works best for you and your chosen medium.

Now that your forest drawing with animals is filled with vibrant colors, it's time to add the final touches and prepare your artwork for presentation. In the next section, we'll discuss reviewing your drawing, adding your signature, and framing and displaying your masterpiece.

5. Final Touches and Presentation

At this point, your forest drawing with animals is almost complete. But before you show it off to the world, there are a few final touches to consider. In this section, we'll go over reviewing your drawing, adding your signature, and presenting your artwork in the best possible way.

Reviewing the Forest Drawing with Animals

Take a step back and look at your forest drawing with animals as a whole. Does everything flow together nicely? Are there any areas that need more detail, shading, or color? This is the time to make any necessary adjustments and ensure your artwork looks its best. Don't be too hard on yourself, though—remember, art isn't about perfection; it's about expression.

One way to review your drawing is to use a technique called "squinting," which involves narrowing your eyes to see the overall composition and values more clearly. This can help you identify areas that need improvement, such as uneven shading or inconsistent textures. Additionally, you can take a photo of your artwork and view it on a screen, as this may reveal any inconsistencies or areas that need attention.

Adding Your Signature

Once you're satisfied with your forest drawing with animals, it's time to add your signature. Your signature is a personal touch that shows the world this artwork is yours. Choose a small corner of your drawing and use a medium that matches the rest of your artwork, such as a colored pencil or fine-tipped marker. Keep it simple and legible, so it doesn't distract from the rest of your drawing.

Some artists like to include the date or even a small title alongside their signature. This can be a nice touch, especially if you plan on creating a series of forest drawings with animals. It's completely up to you how you want to sign your work, so have fun with it and make it a reflection of your artistic personality.

Framing and Displaying Your Artwork

Now that your forest drawing with animals is complete and signed, it's time to show it off! One way to make your artwork stand out is by framing it. Choose a frame that complements your drawing without overpowering it. You might opt for a simple, sleek frame or one with more ornate details, depending on your personal style and the overall look of your drawing.

When displaying your artwork, consider the lighting and the surrounding environment. Natural light is often the best way to showcase your forest drawing with animals, but be mindful of direct sunlight, which can cause colors to fade over time. If you're using artificial lighting, make sure it's evenly distributed and doesn't create harsh shadows or glare on your drawing. With the right presentation, your forest drawing with animals will be a stunning addition to any space and a testament to your artistic talents.

Now that you've mastered the step-by-step process of creating a forest drawing with animals, go ahead and explore other themes and subjects. Art is a journey, so continue to experiment, learn, and grow as an artist. Who knows what amazing creations you'll come up with next?

If you enjoyed our step-by-step guide on drawing a forest with animals for beginners, you'll love the workshop 'Basic Animal Anatomy for Artists' by Viktoria. This workshop will help you dive deeper into the world of animal art, teaching you the essentials of animal anatomy to create more realistic and captivating drawings. Don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your skills and bring your animal art to life!