Yonderoo - Learn How to Draw

The Maltese is a small toy breed cherished for its elegance, charm, and affectionate personality. With its trademark long, flowing white coat and sparkling dark eyes, the Maltese has been a favorite companion for centuries, often depicted in classic artwork and adored by dog enthusiasts worldwide. Drawing a Maltese offers a wonderful opportunity to capture the delicate beauty and joyful spirit of this breed, whether you're creating a personal keepsake, a gift for a dog lover, or simply exploring the art of animal portraiture.

Learning how to draw a Maltese can be both fun and rewarding, especially for artists who wish to improve their skills in rendering fur textures and expressive animal features. This subject is perfect for beginners eager to learn the basics of sketching and shading, as well as for more advanced artists looking to refine their attention to detail. Throughout this tutorial, you'll discover essential techniques for outlining the Maltese's proportions, creating soft and realistic fur, and capturing its gentle expression.

Whether you're new to drawing or looking to challenge yourself with a new subject, this guide on how to draw a Maltese will help you step by step. Don't worry if your first attempts aren't perfect—art is all about practice and patience. So gather your drawing supplies, let your creativity flow, and enjoy bringing this adorable breed to life on your page!

Materials Required

Before we begin, make sure you have the following materials ready:

Drawing paper: Choose a high-quality paper that is suitable for your preferred drawing medium.
**Pencils:**You'll need a range of graphite pencils, such as HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B, for shading and adding details.
Eraser: A kneaded eraser or a soft gum eraser will be handy for correcting any mistakes.
Blending tools: You can use a blending stump or a piece of tissue paper to achieve smooth shading.
**Reference image:**Find a clear and high-resolution photo of a Maltese to help you with proportions and details.
Optional: Colored pencils or markers, if you wish to add color to your drawing.

Now that you have all your materials ready, let's start drawing!

Step 1: Outline the Head and Body

Begin by drawing a circle for the head. Then, add a slightly curved line below to represent the body. Remember that Maltese dogs have a compact and elegant body shape, so keep your lines gentle and graceful.

Step 2: Sketch the Facial Features

Draw two intersecting lines across the head circle. These will help you place the eyes, nose, and mouth accurately. Next, sketch two small almond shapes for the eyes, leaving some space between them. Add a curved line below the eyes for the nose.

Step 3: Define the Nose and Mouth

Refine the shape of the nose by adding a small triangular shape to the curved line. Then, draw a smiling mouth just below the nose. Pay attention to the proportions, as Maltese dogs have a small and delicate muzzle.

Step 4: Add the Ears

Maltese dogs have large, droopy ears that hang down on the sides of their head. Sketch two long, curved lines extending from the top of the head to represent the ears. Make sure the tips of the ears are slightly rounded.

Step 5: Draw the Eyes

Using the intersecting lines as a guide, draw the eyes in more detail. Add small circles inside the almond shapes to depict the pupils. Don't forget to leave a white highlight in each eye to make them look more lively and realistic.

Step 6: Outline the Face and Neck

Now, carefully outline the face and neck of the Maltese, following the initial shape you sketched. Pay attention to the contours and curves, as they contribute to the unique charm of this breed. Add some fur details, but keep the lines light and loose.

Step 7: Sketch the Front Legs and Paws

Draw two slightly curved lines extending down from the body to represent the front legs. Then, add small oval shapes at the end of each leg for the paws. Remember to keep the proportions and angles consistent with the reference image.

Step 8: Complete the Body and Tail

Extend the lines from the body to create the hind legs. Connect them with a curved line at the bottom to form the belly. Finally, draw a long, fluffy tail that curves gracefully upwards.

Step 9: Add Fur Texture

Now that you have the basic structure of the Maltese, it's time to add some texture to its beautiful coat. Use short, overlapping strokes to create the illusion of soft and fluffy fur. Pay attention to the direction of the strokes, following the contours of the body.

Step 10: Refine and Shade

Take a step back and evaluate your drawing so far. Make any necessary adjustments to the proportions or shapes. Once you're satisfied with the overall look, start shading to add depth and volume to your artwork. Use darker graphite pencils, like 4B or 6B, to create shadows in areas where the fur has more volume, such as under the chin or between the legs.

Step 11: Optional - Add Color

If you prefer to add some color to your drawing, now is the time to do it! Using colored pencils or markers, carefully layer light tones over the white areas of the Maltese's coat. Pay attention to the subtle shades and variations in color that give the coat its characteristic appearance.

Tip: When drawing the Maltese's signature long, silky coat, try using light, feathery pencil strokes or a fine-tipped pen, moving your hand in the direction the fur flows—usually downward along the body and outwards around the face. Layer these strokes gradually to build up the softness and volume, starting with the lightest areas and slowly adding slightly darker tones to create depth and dimension. Pay close attention to the areas around the eyes and nose, where shorter, finer fur helps frame those expressive features. If you're working in color, lightly blend white, cream, and very pale blue or gray for subtle shadows, which will help your Maltese look fluffy rather than flat.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully learned how to draw a Maltese, capturing its elegance and charm on paper. Remember to practice regularly and experiment with different techniques to continue improving your artistic skills. With time and dedication, you'll be able to create stunning drawings of other dog breeds as well. Happy drawing!

Fun Facts About Malteses

The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds, with origins dating back over 2,000 years.
Maltese dogs are known for their luxurious, pure white coats, which are hypoallergenic.
This breed has been favored by royalty and aristocrats, including Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.
Maltese are highly intelligent and excel in obedience and agility competitions.
Despite their delicate appearance, Maltese are known for their lively and fearless personalities.
The breed typically weighs under 7 pounds, making it one of the smallest dog breeds.
Maltese dogs have a long lifespan, often living 12–15 years or more.
The Maltese's coat does not have an undercoat, which reduces shedding.
They are often used as therapy dogs due to their gentle and affectionate nature.

Suggestions for Scenes and Settings for Maltese Drawings

A Maltese prancing through a lush garden, its long white fur flowing in the breeze among blooming flowers.
A cozy indoor scene with a Maltese curled up on a plush velvet cushion next to an ornate window.
A regal Maltese seated on an antique armchair, surrounded by classic artwork and elegant drapery reminiscent of old European salons.
A playful Maltese puppy chasing a fluttering butterfly in a sunlit park.
A Maltese wearing a tiny, stylish bow or ribbon, posing for a portrait with a gentle smile and sparkling eyes.
An affectionate moment between a Maltese and its owner, emphasizing the breed's loyal and loving nature.
A whimsical scene of a Maltese in a fairytale setting, perhaps atop a stack of storybooks or nestled in a magical forest glen.
A Maltese with its coat styled for a dog show, standing proudly on a grooming table with brushes and ribbons nearby.
A group of Maltese dogs playing together in a field, highlighting their social and joyful personalities.
A Maltese looking out a window, watching the world go by, with soft light casting gentle shadows on its fur.

How to Draw a Maltese

Materials You'll Need