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So, you know how to draw a cartoon dog. You know how to draw a dog's face. What about a realistic dog? This article may help you.

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  1. 1

    Draw two ovals. They should be side by side. Make one slightly larger than the other. Make sure they're not too far apart. That is key in this drawing.

  2. 2

    Make an outline. Draw a line that goes down and goes on top of the ovals you've made. Then draw one under it doing the same. On the bottom one, bend in a little in between ovals. Then draw the beginnings of legs, like drawn in the picture. Make the bottom and top lines go up, then draw a circle for the beginning of a head. Draw a nose by drawing an oval that's partially in the head.

  3. 3

    Draw lines outlining the head. Do the same to the head as you did to the body. After this, erase the circles in the body and head. Add ears to the head that are either long and floppy, or short and up. Then add either a short or long tail. At this point, it's good to have a selected breed in mind, as this it where all the details are.

  4. 4

    Erase all inner circles. Carefully erase all of your circles and ovals. Then add fur by drawing ruffles on the outlines. Your dog should be very realistic!

  5. 5

    Finished.

Add New Question

  • Question

    How would I draw the dog's feet to make them look realistic?

    Community Answer

    When you draw the paws, make sure you don't just draw circles with lines in them. Make it so the paw is the correct size and shape for that breed or size of dog. Make it extend from the leg, and add curved lines into it.

  • Question

    How do you draw a realistic Australian Shepherd?

    Community Answer

    Unlike the Rottweiler used in this article, an Australian Shepherd would have a smaller, streamlined, and less bulky build. However, you can use a similar base by marking out the head, chest, and hindquarter of the dog. Rather than using the long ovular head, you can replace it with a squared base, then add a triangular muzzle. For the chest and hind leg, round them off more to create the nearly rectangular body of an Aussie. Once these three components are marked out, you can proceed to arrange them to fit a position of your choice. Using a reference photo, you can then sketch the outline for the dog, later working toward smaller details.

  • Question

    How do I draw better eyes on a realistic dog?

    Community Answer

    In my experience with drawing my pup, I'd say make them semi-circular. Don't just draw a circle, or an oval. If you've drawn human eyes before, then it is similar to that. Round off the back of the eye, and make the front come to a point. Also, if you want to draw a dog with bigger eyes, such as a puppy, make the back a little taller, so it looks bigger, but keeping the same size. I've noticed my dog has three colors in his eyes - the dark, dark brown outer rim, the lovely, rich lighter brown ring, then a tree-brown inner ring, then the pupil. That's just my guide, so adapt it to your own needs.

  • Question

    When someone draws a realistic dog, does it look 3D?

    Community Answer

    It depends on how realistic the drawing is. It should.

  • Question

    Can somebody tell me where I could find steps to draw a Pekingese?

    Community Answer

    There is no article on how to draw a Pekingese, but I would look up reference photos, and adapt the steps in this to fit a Pekingese.

  • Question

    How do I draw a realistic head?

    Community Answer

  • Question

    How do I draw a realistic collie?

    Catherine

    Catherine

    Community Answer

    Make the dog a bit less muscular and make the tail longer and fluffier.

  • Question

    How do I draw a realistic Bernese mountain dog?

    Community Answer

    Less muscle, slightly smaller chest, slightly bigger abdomen, longer fur, lowered ears that are also a bit longer. Looking up images to use as a reference might help. Other than that, just practice.

  • Question

    How do I draw a realistic shih tzu?

    Community Answer

    Simple, it's easiest to start with the eyes. The eyes are quite round, but nearing the bottom and top they have a more oval like shape. It would be best described if you searched a picture up. Then underneath the eyes, draw a more oval shape, like a curved line. Just underneath that, for the dog 'moustache' draw a line coming down, making it curved as it comes down. Then, lightly with your pencil, put your pencil next to the top of the curved line, and draw another. Keep doing this. Back to the curve above, from the side of that make it come down almost like a '\' shape, do this on the other side also, then doing another curve at the bottom for the nose. Take your time.

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  • Pick out a breed first, so you have an idea of the size, shape, color, coat, etc.

  • Why not add a background?

  • Make sure that you have all the supplies needed.

  • Really focus on the texture of your dog. Is it shaggy, wavy or woolly?

  • Try experimenting with all the shapes, sizes and positions you can put your dog in.

  • Try changing the size of the beginning circles. This will change the size of your dog.

  • Once you've gotten good at this, try shading and (or) coloring it!

  • Don't try to copy the dog exactly, personalize it and make it your own!

  • Don't bother erasing the inner circles if you are coloring it with dark colors such as brown and black.

  • Don't be afraid to add detailed accessories like bows, bandanas, collars or ribbons!

  • Look at a picture of the breed you'd like to draw. This will help.

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