How to sketch a tiger step by step

STEP 1.

 I decided to use a 2B charcoal pencil for my sketches but just about any pencil will work for this tutorial. Before working on a more complicated sketch let's start off with some more basic ones. When sketching anything it's always best to start off with basic forms. These act more as placeholders than strict guidelines. Circles and rounded rectangles work well as basic shapes.

 

STEP 2.

 Lightly and roughly start developing basic features. Starting with the eyes is usually a safe bet when drawing animals. Try to work your way from top to bottom left to right.

 

STEP 3.

 Start adding more defined, bolder lines over your light sketch. Try not to get too caught up in details, as long as your sketches resemble tigers you are on the right track! Try to erase as many of your guidelines as possible.

 

STEP 4.

 Finish up your sketches by adding rough but even shading to your tigers. With these basic sketches done you can now move on to the more complex one.

 

STEP 5.

 As with the previous sketches start out with basic forms/shapes. Remember to use rounded shapes when sketching organic forms.

 

STEP 6.

 Roughly sketch in the tiger's basic features: the eye, ears, nose, snout. Develop its basic outline as well.

 

STEP 7.

 Start sketching in the tiger's stripes and building its features. Work your way from top to bottom.

 

STEP 8.

 Sketch in the rest of the tiger's features. Try not to get to too carried away with details. Erase any unneeded lines.

 

STEP 9.

 Blend over your drawing using some paper towel or a cloth. You can add charcoal/graphite to your blending tool in order to make your shading darker.

 

STEP 10.

 Use an eraser to add in highlights and sketch in the lighter fur. Try to sketch in some whiskers as well using the eraser.

 

STEP 11.

 Start finishing up your sketch by working from top to bottom. Darken your shading and add a few hints of fur.

 

STEP 12.

 Finish up your sketch by adding details to the rest of the tiger's head and cleaning up your borders and lines. I hope you learned something from this tutorial. Let me know in the comment section if you have any comments or question. Be sure to check out the video version of this tutorial if you need more help with the steps,