How to draw a dragon breathing fire

Step 1 of 19Guide lines

Head, body and line guides

Start light: a circle for the head, a bigger one for the body, a curved line for the neck joining them, and a long sweeping curve for the tail, curling round underneath.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 15.

Step 2 of 19Guide lines

Leg, wing and fire guides

Four lines down for the legs, a line up from the shoulder for the wing arm with three lines fanning back from its top, and a long curve out of the mouth for the fire.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 15.

Step 3 of 19

The head

Over the top of the head and down the long snout, then the open mouth, lower jaw and tongue, and the back of the head. Last, a nostril and an almond eye with a slit pupil.

Step 4 of 19

The fire

From the top lip, a long line out along the top of the flames, round the big curling tongues at the end, and back along the bottom to the mouth. Let it flow in S-curves.

Step 5 of 19

Tongues of flame

Inside, one long flowing line: out from the mouth, in and out of a few smaller flame tips, and back to the mouth again. Keep it loose, so the fire moves.

Step 6 of 19

The neck and body

From the chest, up the front of the neck to the jaw. Then down the back of the neck from the head, along the long back towards the tail, and a short line for the belly.

Step 7 of 19

The back legs

The near back leg: up from the heel and round the big thigh, then down the front to a foot with curved claws. Then the far leg, half hidden behind it, with its own claws.

Step 8 of 19

The front legs

The near front leg: up its back from the foot to the belly, then down its front to the toes and claws. The far leg peeks out behind it, overlapping, with claws of its own.

Step 9 of 19

The cliff

Now the cliff edge: out from behind the front legs to the corner, down the side, and back along the front. Then the far edge between the legs, a few cracks and two pebbles.

Step 10 of 19

The wing

Up the wing arm from the shoulder, out and back along each finger, then the scalloped edge from the tip back to the body. Then the arm's other side, the top edges and two little claws.

Step 11 of 19

The tail

From under the back leg, along the inside of the tail, round the curl and out to the arrowhead tip. Then back round the outside, and finish the top of the tail from the back.

Step 12 of 19

Horns and spikes

Two long horns sweeping back from the head, and a small one in front. Then rows of little triangle spikes: down the neck, along the back, and on round the curl of the tail.

Step 13 of 19

Belly bands

Now the bands: a line along the belly with short lines across, then up the chest and neck to the jaw, like a ladder. Then the same along the tail.

Step 14 of 19

The distant hill

Last, the distant hill behind the dragon and the flat land stretching away. Keep these lines light and thin, so they sit far back.

Step 15 of 19

Erase the guides

Rub out the circles and guide lines. Only the dragon, its fire and the cliff stay.

Step 16 of 19

Go over the outline

Now press harder and go over the outside edge of the dragon, the flames and the cliff, so they stand out. Leave the hill light, so it stays far away.

Step 17 of 19

Shadow side

The light comes from the top left. Shade softly on the wing, under the jaw, between the belly bands, down the backs of the legs and along the bottom of the flames.

Step 18 of 19

Shadow on the cliff

A soft shadow on the clifftop under the dragon, from the tail to the front feet, so it stands firmly on the rock.

Step 19 of 19

Deep shadows

Press a little harder in the darkest places: the tops of the far legs, tucked under the belly, and under the curl of the tail.