How to Draw a Horse

How to Draw a Horse:

Proportions...... this is what makes up the drawing. And getting proportions right, is going to be an ongoing exercise for you.

You probably have seen different ways artists tackle drawing shapes. Circles are used for the belly  and rump. I myself would prefer to use some lines as guides instead. Because the circle is only a guide, I find that proportional guides of lines are very effective for me.

You can see by the diagrams below, how the use of outside lines guide the frame-work. Box shapes for the head and shoulders, and also from the upper front leg. Also I have sketched in the wire frame in the center of the horse. I have done this in red so you don't get confused with all the lines and shapes.

"The beautiful is in nature, and it is encountered under the most diverse forms of reality. Once it is found it belongs to art, or rather to the artist who discovers it".-Gustave Courbet

When I was young, I seemed to excel with proportions. And seldom used guide lines for proportion - not to say that I did not use the eraser to correct my mistakes. Yet proportions mostly have to be learnt by the artist. And if you don't find that you have a calling for proportion, use diagrams and lines. I now use diagrams for my work . And the eraser doesn't not get such a work out....

So... I am using lines firstly to get the wire frame. Then start filling in the bulk with circles, boxes and outside lines. At least this way you will have the structure on your board. Then you start to put in the details on how to draw a horse. Not exactly join-the-dots, but you can start to use your different forms to build your outline picture of your horse.

I have not done this on mine, though I would suggest you do. I know what some artists say about using photos to use for your paintings and art. But I have used photos as guides all the time. Your study seldom stands still long enough to really get your drawing form onto paper.

 Unless you are fast and accurate, I suggest you work prom photos to get the reality of the true horse right. I don't see why not.....

If I tried to catch a my study all the time, I would be putting my pen and paper away in frustration. Because your pet does not stand still. Unless they are sleeping - then you have a good chance to get your figure down on paper.

I hope these drawings will help you start to understand the building blocks of drawing. As you get more familiar with these rules, it will feel natural to you. Though now, you need to practice on how to draw a horse, this is the only way you are going to get better and faster.

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