Join John Muir Laws as he breaks down how to draw a crocodile, skills that can be useful in drawing other reptiles. We look at the overall shape of the crocodile, double-check proportions, and drop in details in the scales, teeth, and shading. This Nature Journal Workshop was part of the Ask Jack series, where Read More
Category: Drawing Reptiles & Amphibians
3D Visualization – drawing snakes and fish (video)
Learn to understand the volume of a sinuous form as we examine and deconstruct a playdough snake. There are surprising angles and edges in this seemingly simple form. Once you know what to look for you will be able to draw curving and twisted trout, snakes, sharks, and more! Read More
How to Draw Snakes
Study the shapes of snake facial scales to help you identify and draw what you see. Snake bodies are covered with overlapping scales (see previous post for tricks on drawing body scales). The scales of the head of many snakes are larger and important clues to identification. Study the shapes of these scales to help Read More
How to draw scales
Learn the geometry of snake scales to help you sketch in the field. Don’t drive yourself nuts trying to copy every scale exactly. You can suggest scales with the X technique (demonstrated below), add a few details and you are good. Draw an x pattern over the back of the snake. Each of the scales will fit into Read More
Drawing Reptile and Amphibian Eyes
Look carefully at the patterns, colors, and structure of reptile and amphibian eyes. You will be surprised by the beauty and variability. Snakes have no eyelids so the eye is round round. Amphibians and most lizards (exceptions geckos and night lizards) have eyelids and so may have round eyes or an ellipse from squinting. Note the pupil shape. Read More
How to draw reptiles and amphibians (video workshop)
This video of a reptile and amphibian drawing workshop was filmed on December 10, 2014 at the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Center in Cupertino CA. As I spoke the first great winter storm approached and took out the power about 3/4 of the way through the talk. We kept on going with a whiteboard and Read More
Studying Salamanders
Amphibians have moist glandular skin. The wrinkles, warts, and folds of the skin are often important details for identification and to include in your sketches. Some species have a hairline crack between the lip and the nose. Also look for a flap of loose skin under the head that makes a fold behind the jawline. Read More
How to draw a frog, step-by-step
In this step-by-step demonstration of how to draw a leopard frog we will explore watercolor technique and learn how bands and spots show the contour of limbs and the orientation of body planes. We also explore how to suggest amphibian’s moist and shiny skin with crisp white highlights. This demonstration is a good example of the Read More
How to Draw A Salamander
Learn how to draw a salamander in this step-by-step tutorial. Yellow-blotched Ensatina, Ensatina eschscholtzii croceater Editor’s note: I have chozen not to spell check this post to let my readers see my unedatid spelling. I am dislexic and grew up with the shame that came from not being able to spell like my peers. For part of my childhood I was Read More
How to Draw Frogs and Toads
Understanding frog anatomy and structure will both help you observe and be able to draw what you see. Study and look for these important anatomical details in photographs and live frogs to help you learn how to draw frogs and toads. Frogs that are adapted for jumping will have a prominent sacral hump on their backs. As Read More