Horses are a beautiful subject to draw, but they can seem intimidating to someone who has never drawn one before. There are a few simple steps that can help anyone to draw a realistic horse head. The first step is to outline the head and neck, and the second is to create the body. Once the head and body are completed, the final step is to add details to make the drawing appear more realistic.
Begin by sketching a circle for the head and a long, oval-like shape for the nose. Use a pencil and light strokes to avoid leaving marks or making the lines too dark. A sharp HB pencil is ideal, as it will allow you to erase any mistakes without leaving unwanted impressions in the paper.
If you are unsure how to create the basic shapes, try looking at some reference photos of horses and trying to copy the proportions. This will allow you to learn the basic shape of the horse, and it will also help you to determine which shapes are more important in creating a particular pose or angle.
For example, the width of the neck will be largely determined by the breed of the horse, as draft and heavy breeding breeds tend to have thicker necks than lighter breeds like Arabians. The height of the forehead will depend on whether the horse is being shown in a front or three-quarter view, and the length of the muzzle will depend on the breed.
Using the guidelines you created in step one, begin to draw a more detailed outline of the horse’s head and neck. The curve of the neck should be a little more pronounced for a realistic appearance. In the center of the face, place two triangle-like shapes for ears. For the eyes, draw a small bump for the pupil and a rounded rectangle for the eye lashes. The nose should have a gentle, concave curve that runs from the top of the forehead down to the bottom of the muzzle.
Next, draw the jaw and mouth. The teeth should be clearly seen, but not the whole tongue. Lastly, add details to the nostrils, such as an oval shape for the visible nostril and a small bump for the other that is slightly out of sight.
Once all of the detail has been added, it is time to erase the guides and clean up the sketch. You can then use the construction lines you created in the first step to guide you as you draw the neckline and the rest of the body.
The most important part of the drawing is the eyes, so take care to make them look as life-like as possible. If you are drawing a front view of the horse, the eyes should be placed on either side of the face, while if you are drawing a three-quarter view of the horse, the eyes should be located closer to the top of the head.