How to Draw a Baby Dragon

Time needed: 30 minutes

How to draw a baby dragon step by step

1. Outline the main form of the fantasy creature.

   Start with two connected shapes to outline the base of your baby dragon. Draw the dragon head, and below it sketch a rounder shape for the body, tapering at the top where it joins the neck. The lower part should appear full and plump. On the side of the head, sketch a small bump for the cheek.

2. Draw the baby dragon eyes, nose, and mouth.

   First, draw dragon eyes near the center of the head. Below them, draw a small circular nose and a curved smile line. Make all facial lines soft and simple, because sharp angles may make the dragon look older or more aggressive. You can vary the eye placement or curve of the smile.

3. Illustrate the horns, ears, and small spikes.

   Next, give your cartoon dragon a recognizable silhouette by sketching its head details. On the top of the head, draw two large curved horns. Between them, add small rounded spikes to fill the space. On each side of the head, illustrate wide, wing-like ears. Add simple eyebrows above the eyes.

4. Sketch the short arms and fingers.

   Each arm should be short and softly rounded, ending with simple fingers or claws. You can make the arms bent or straight. The forearms can rest on the belly area. Check that both arms are symmetrical. You can make small variations, such as one arm lifted higher or bent differently.

5. Illustrate the rounded legs and toes.

   Sketch two large, rounded shapes at the bottom of the creature’s body, with simple toes pointing forward. The thighs should look plump. Keep the toes rounded and simple with small claws or lines to convey their shape without adding unnecessary complexity.

6. Draw the curved baby dragon tail shape.

   The tail should start thick near the base and gradually taper toward the tip. The length should not exceed the height of the dragon. You can add a small spike or rounded end to make it more interesting. Slight variations, like a curled or straighter tail, can change the dragon’s overall look.

7. Sketch the wing and spikes.

   To emphasize that this is a dragon, draw a dragon wing behind its back. Begin with a curved upper edge rising from the shoulder, then add two or three arched lines extending downward to form the wing structure. Connect them with smooth, triangular membranes that resemble stretched skin. Add a series of small rounded spikes on the back and tail.

8. Draw the lines on the baby dragon’s belly.

   Enhance the dragon’s design by illustrating the segmented belly. Draw several horizontal curved lines across the stomach to represent characteristic segments on the dragon belly. The curves should follow the roundness of the body. Avoid pressing too hard with your pencil.

9. Add green and yellow tones to the creature.

   Apply a soft green tone for the body of the fantasy creature, a lighter yellow-green or beige for the belly. You can use slightly darker shades for the wings, horns, and tail tip. Small highlights on the eyes can make them look brighter and more interesting. You can experiment with color variations – a blue, red, or purple dragon also looks appealing depending on the theme.