How to Draw a Platypus
In today’s tutorial, we will draw one of nature’s most unusual creatures: the platypus. Known for its distinct body structure that combines features of both mammals and birds, the platypus presents an interesting challenge for any artist. So, we will focus on capturing its intriguing characteristics in a simplified drawing style.
How to Draw a Platypus: Basic Information
Before we begin our lesson on drawing a platypus, let’s examine this illustration closely. Notice the features?
First, as mentioned, our platypus is shown in a static, relaxed pose. Its limbs extend in various directions, with its head facing forward, reminiscent of a person lounging casually on the beach.
Next, consider the body structure. Have you often encountered creatures that possess a tail, fur, claws, and a bird-like beak all in one? Capturing such an eclectic mix of features in a single drawing presents a unique challenge.
Third, observe the angle. The platypus is positioned slightly sideways, necessitating the application of perspective rules in our drawing. Body parts closer to us appear larger and more rounded, while those farther away seem smaller and more elongated.
Lastly, take a closer look at the beak. The platypus’s beak is smooth and rounded, yet not symmetrical. The eyes, positioned on the sides, vary in shape and size due to the perspective. Notably, each eye includes a highlight—a crucial detail to remember when adding color.
Platypus Drawing Tutorial
Materials
- Pencil
- Paper
- Eraser
- Coloring supplies
Time needed: 30 minutes
How to Draw a Platypus
- Depict the outline of the body.
Begin your platypus drawing with an oval shape to form the body. This initial shape sets the foundation for the proportions of your drawing. Keep the lines light, as this is just a guide that will help you map out the placement of other features. To show perspective features, draw an oval that is asymmetrical.
- Add the elements of the muzzle.
Add the distinctive platypus beak by sketching a rounded shape protruding from the head. Due to the slight turn, the beak also has an asymmetrical shape. The protruding mound is strongly shifted to the left. The eyes are located at different distances from this protrusion and have different shapes.
- Draw the platypus front limbs.
Draw the front limbs by adding two rounded shapes on either side of the front of the body. The direction and position of the limbs suggest the relaxed, static posture of the platypus. Match the placement of each paw to the platypus beak for maximum accuracy of the drawing.
- Sketch the webbed front toes.
The platypus’s webbed feet are superbly adapted for swimming. When drawing these paws, create three smooth protrusions to represent the toes. Ensure you include a delicate membrane stretching between each protrusion, capturing the essence of their aquatic functionality.
- Draw the platypus tail.
Extend the back of the body into a broad, flat tail. This tail should expand slightly but maintain a robust appearance, indicative of its use in swimming. The junction of the tail and body looks like a jagged line. This perfectly shows that the body is covered with fur and the tail has a smooth texture.
- Add the hind limbs.
Add the hind limbs using a similar technique to the front limbs, ensuring they are proportional and correctly aligned with the body. The positioning should reflect the natural stance of a platypus. Unlike drawing the platypus’ front legs entirely, the hind legs are partially overlapped by the outline of the tail.
- Depict the webbed toes on the hind feet.
The hind limbs of the platypus, much like the front legs, are designed for aquatic mobility. As such, they bear a striking resemblance to each other in shape and function. A subtle yet important detail to note is that the far leg is partially obscured by the platypus’s large tail.
- Check your artwork.
Review and adjust the overall body outline to smooth out any discrepancies and enhance the platypus’s shape. This involves perfecting curves and making sure all parts are proportionally balanced. Also check the pose and proportions, remove inaccuracies and unnecessary lines.
- Color the platypus drawing.
Finish your drawing by adding colors typical of a platypus, such as light browns or yellow for the body, with darker shades on the limbs, beak and tail. There is no texture or complex shadows in my version. But with such minimalism, the highlights in the eyes look especially impressive.
How to Draw a Platypus: Additional Content
So, I’ve put together a special PDF just for you, and guess what? It’s your new drawing buddy, and it’s coming to you absolutely free – no hidden costs, no strings attached! This isn’t just any ordinary PDF; it’s your all-access pass to mastering that adorable platypus drawing.
Now, let’s talk about what makes this PDF super cool. First off, it’s designed to be super user-friendly, so you can zoom right into learning without any fuss. Plus, it’s a resource that sticks with you, no matter where you are.
Moreover, the flexibility this file brings to your artistic journey is like having a magic wand in your hand. You could be lounging in your backyard, snuggled up in your favorite nook at home, or soaking up some sun at the park – wherever you are, your drawing adventure doesn’t have to pause.
What’s more, this handy PDF is not just about drawing; it’s about growing your skills at your own pace and in your own space. It’s about turning those spare moments into bursts of creativity. So, ready to take your drawing to the next level with zero constraints? Click that download button!
Improve Your Platypus Drawing
So, grab your crayons, pencils, or markers and let’s add some pizzazz to your platypus! Remember, every time you draw, you’re getting better and better. It’s like a superpower that grows every time you use it!
- Color wonderland: Don’t just stop with a brown animal; give it some fun patterns! How about polka dots or even rainbow stripes? Let your imagination run wild!
- Perfect puddle: Platypuses love water! Why not draw a little pond around this cute animal? Add some lily pads and maybe even a fish friend saying “hello”.
- Funky flippers: Let’s get those webbed feet looking fabulous. Thus, add some cool lines to show they’re super for swimming.
- Happy habitat: Platypuses live in burrows, so draw a cozy little home for this animal. Maybe it has a mailbox with its name on it?
- Expression explosion: Give your platypus a big smile, a surprised look, or even a cheeky wink. Thus, expressions bring your drawing to life!
- Accessory action: Does your platypus have a favorite hat or maybe a bow tie? So, draw it wearing something that shows its personality!
- Background bonanza: How about drawing a whole scene? Possibly it’s a sunny day at the beach or a starry night with your platypus gazing at the sky.
- Budding Buddies: Platypuses can have friends too! Draw some other animals around it. How about a kangaroo neighbor or a koala in a nearby tree?
Now that you’ve got these cool ideas, your platypus is not just any ordinary animal; it’s a masterpiece! Remember, every time you draw, you create your own magic world.
So, get ready to add all those super cool extras to your platypus drawing with a little help from my lessons! Just zoom over to my website, search for the lesson you want, and you’ll be on your way to creating something amazing.
Conclusion
Thus, fantastic work on bringing your platypus to life! You’ve taken some simple steps and turned them into a splendid piece of art. Remember, every line you draw and every color you choose adds a little more of your unique sparkle to the canvas.
Then, guess what? There’s a whole universe of drawing adventures waiting for you, and I don’t want you to miss a single one! Now, to make sure you’re always in the loop with the latest and greatest from my world of drawing fun, don’t forget to follow me on social media.
Keep those pencils sharp, your imagination ready, and your heart open to the endless possibilities that drawing brings. See you in the next drawing tutorial!
