Horses are a common subject for drawing and painting. However, their complex anatomy can be difficult to learn. Fortunately, there are several resources available to help beginners understand the basics of horse anatomy and create realistic drawings. One of the best ways to learn is to study real horses. These animals are very large and are able to carry heavy loads, so they need to have strong muscles to support their bodies. This article will discuss how to draw a horse using the principles of anatomy and how to properly add muscle detail to your work.
The first step to drawing a horse is to start with the general shape of the head. Begin by sketching an oval-like shape for the nose and a circle for the mouth. Add a neck that extends from the bottom of the head, then connect this to a larger circle at the chest. Next, outline the ears. Depending on the mood of the picture, the ears can be narrow and pointed or wide and rounded. Finally, sketch the eyes.
Unlike other domestic animals, the horse has protruding eyes, which can be challenging to draw. To make this easier, add a form above the eye that looks like excessive skin folded over the eyes. This will give the eyes a more realistic appearance. Then, add the ear structure, which is made up of thin skin with some width. To add texture, wrinkle the skin where necessary and draw fur inside the ears.
If you’re going to draw a horse, you’ll also want to include the neck and shoulder. The shoulders are quite broad, and you’ll need to add some thickness at the front of the neck and a curve for the back of the neck. The neck can be very long, or the horse may be wearing a bridle that will cover part of the neck and reduce its length.
Once you have the basic body structure in place, you’ll need to add the legs and hooves. Ideally, you’ll use a reference photo for this, but even if it’s not perfect, the reference can help you understand how to create the shape of the horse and where to place the hooves.
When drawing the legs, be sure to add a wide joint at the ankle and a narrow one at the knee. Then, add the hocks, which are very wide when compared to the other hooves. Once you have the hocks and legs in place, you’ll be able to create the shape of the body by adding the details of the mane and tail.
To finish the drawing, shade the horse to accentuate the three-dimensional shape of the animal. There are many different color combinations that can be used, and it’s a great way to practice shading. Once the horse is finished, you can look at it from different angles to see how the lines and shapes change as you move. With some practice, you’ll be able to accurately draw a horse with ease!