Drawing Mulan can be intimidating, but with a little practice and guidance, you can bring the incredible warrior to life on paper. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll go over the process of drawing Mulan from start to finish, including sketching the basic shapes, adding details, and shading.
Materials
Before we begin, make sure you have the following materials:
- Paper
- Pencil (preferably an HB or 2B)
- Eraser
Step 1: Basic Shapes
To begin, draw a circle for the head and an oval shape for the body. Connect these shapes with a line for the neck.
Tip:
Don’t worry about getting everything perfect right off the bat. Drawing the basic shapes will help you to get a feel for the proportions and composition of the overall drawing.
Step 2: Limbs and Features
Next, draw smaller circles for the joints of the limbs, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Then, add lines for the arms and legs. Draw ovals for the hands.
Tip:
Remember to keep your lines light at this stage so you can easily erase them later.
Step 3: Face and Hair
Draw eyes, nose and mouth in the circle for the face. Sketch the shape of the hair and the placement of the ears.
Tip:
When drawing the face, observe closely how the facial features align with each other and aim to create a symmetrical face.
Step 4: Costume
Sketch the basic shape of Mulan’s outfit. Bring detail to the costume by adding folds and curves.
Tip:
Try to observe how the folds fit around the body and how the fabric flows naturally.
Step 5: Details
Add more details to Mulan’s face, hair, and costume. Include armor techniques, patterns on the costume. You can add the sword or flowers in Mulan’s hair.
Tip:
Don’t forget to refer to your references at this stage to ensure you are capturing Mulan’s features accurately.
Step 6: Shading
Finally, it’s time to add shading and shadows to the drawing. Observe where the light source is coming from, and shade the areas opposite the light source to create depth and dimension.
Tip:
Take your time when shading and don’t press too hard with your pencil. Build up the shadow gradually.
FAQs
1. I am struggling with proportions. What can I do to improve?
Start with sketching basic shapes, and then break complex shapes into smaller, simpler ones. When you look at what you’re drawing, observe how the individual elements work together. Practice regularly, and soon you will see significant improvement in your drawings.
2. Can I use a pen instead of a pencil?
It’s best to start with a pencil because you can erase as you go along, correcting any mistakes. However, you can always refine your drawing with pen inking over it when you’re finished.
3. How can I create a dynamic pose for my Mulan drawing?
Look for reference images of Mulan in action or martial arts poses. Studying these images may help you achieve the necessary movement and dynamism for your drawing.
4. My Mulan drawing isn’t perfect. What do I do?
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Learning to draw takes time and patience. Instead of giving up, keep practicing, and remember that every mistake is an opportunity to learn.
5. How can I practice drawing Mulan’s facial features?
You can practice drawing Mulan’s facial features by drawing them independently and then incorporating them into your full Mulan drawing. You can also look to Mulan photos or images for reference.
6. Can I use a digital platform or a drawing tablet?
Yes, you can use a digital platform or a drawing tablet to work on your Mulan drawing. It’s a great way to make precise lines and colors without worrying about erasing and smudging.
Mulan Drawing Photos and Images
