Drawing Frogs Volume 2 - How to Draw Frogs For the Beginner
Just like any other subject for drawing, the easiest way to establish the form or figure of any kind of frog you wish to draw is by using the simplest shape you can think of that can represent its mass and structure. Think of objects such as fruits, triangles, or any shape that you can easily render with ease (like a pear or a peanut, a right triangle or any simple polygons).
The difference in length of the fore legs and hind legs becomes apparent when the frog jumps. It would stretch its hind legs widely during and at the moment of leaping, and then quickly reverts to its natural crouching position as it lands.
The outlines define the figure and form as the shades portray the dimensions. this basic idea is the any subject you wish to draw. The light and dark values are also applied to colored illustrations. This is initiated by using different color values on a single base color. the transition between light and dark can also be done by using different drawing tools, like using a charcoal based pencil to apply the shades and then applying the colors.
To show you the process, here's an example of drawing a purple fluorescent frog.
- Establish the main outline of the frog.
Define the contour shape of the frog's figure. Establish the folds of the limbs and see what portions are overlapped. The curves and subtle projections of a frog's body shape outline is well-shown when it is viewed in an upper-side view angle; the robust eyes, the slight protuberance of the lining on the trunk, and the round belly.
When the proportions are properly defined, refine the outlines with smoother and darker lines.
- Define the body markings with purple.
The body of a fluorescent frog is marked with irregular purple rings. The marking are more apparent on the limbs, wrapping each leg and down to the toes. There is also a purple band starting right below the eyes and down to the frog's ventral side. Use a purple (pencil) color directly when establishing the markings, or a violet with a light/bright value.
- Apply some linear shading.
The violet color of the frog's body is dark; in this case, you need to apply a preliminary shading to darken the tone value of the color you are going to apply later.
- Smear the shades.
Carefully smudge the linear shades with light scribbling hand strokes. Keep the highlights clean and simply even out the shades to loosen the edges created by the hatches.
- Apply the violet color of the body.
Fill up the areas with the frog's dark violet body color. Control the weight of your hand strokes; the pressure you apply on the (color) pencil depends on the area you are coloring. Use light hand strokes on the edges of the body and the middle area of the legs. Use heavy hand strokes to overlap the darkened areas.
Finalize the drawing by darkening the eyes (take note of the subtle gloss at the center) and cast a shadow. Redefine the main outline and clean up the outer areas.
More colored examples and detailed instructions are available in "Drawing Frogs Volume 2 - How to Draw Frogs For the Beginner" . The book is a follow up for the "Drawing Frogs Volume 1" which discusses how to draw with pencils. Just like the first one, the steps are broken down carefully so even a non-experienced artist could easily follow, and more.
