How to Draw a Chinese New Year Dragon

Welcome to this step-by-step guide on how to draw a Chinese New Year dragon. Dragons are an important symbol in Chinese culture, and they are often depicted during the celebrations of the Lunar New Year. Drawing a dragon can be a fun and creative way to participate in this festive tradition. So, let’s get started!

Materials Required

Before we begin, let’s gather all the materials you will need for this drawing:

Now that we have everything we need, let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Basic Shape

Start by drawing a large oval shape near the center of your paper. This will be the dragon’s body. Make sure to leave some space for the head and tail.

Step 2: Head

Next, draw a smaller oval shape at one end of the body. This will be the dragon’s head. Add two small circles for the eyes and a curved line for the mouth.

Step 3: Neck and Tail

Connect the head to the body with a curved line for the dragon’s neck. Then, extend a long, curving line from the other end of the body to create the dragon’s tail.

Step 4: Legs and Feet

Draw four short, curved lines extending from the bottom of the dragon’s body. These will be the dragon’s legs. Add small, triangular shapes at the end of each line for the feet.

Step 5: Details on the Head

Let’s add some detail to the dragon’s head. Draw two small horns at the top of the head and add some scales along the sides. You can also create a fringed mane around the back of the head.

Step 6: Eyes and Mouth

Go back to the dragon’s face and add some detail to the eyes. Fill in the circles you drew earlier, leaving a small white highlight in each one. Add some curved lines above the eyes for the eyebrows. Enhance the mouth by adding some teeth and a small tongue.

Step 7: Dragon’s Body

To create the texture of the dragon’s body, draw a series of small, curved lines along its length. These lines will represent the scales. Make them closer together towards the head and tail, and more spaced out in the middle section of the body.

Step 8: Wings

Add a pair of wings to your dragon. Draw two large, curved lines starting from the middle section of the dragon’s body and extending outward. Add some finger-like extensions along the inside of each wing.

Step 9: Final Details

Now it’s time to add some final details to your dragon. Use the fine tip black marker to carefully outline the entire drawing. This will make it more defined and bold. You can also add some extra details, such as additional scales or patterns, to make your dragon unique.

Step 10: Color Your Dragon

The last step is to bring your dragon to life with colors. Use colored pencils or markers to color in your dragon. Traditionally, Chinese dragons are portrayed in vibrant shades of red, blue, green, and gold. However, feel free to get creative and choose any colors you like.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully drawn a Chinese New Year dragon. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to try drawing dragons in different poses or styles. Drawing can be a fun and relaxing way to celebrate Chinese New Year, and creating your own dragon artwork adds a personal touch to this festive occasion. So, grab your materials and start drawing your own magnificent dragons today!