If you’re looking to draw a rat, the process can seem daunting. However, with a little patience and some basic techniques, you can create a fantastic rat drawing that captures the beauty and uniqueness of these rodents. In this guide, we’ll take you through the process of drawing a rat, from sketching the basic shapes to adding shadows and highlights.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Pencil
- Paper
- Eraser
- Optional: Charcoal or shading pencils for more advanced shading techniques
Step 1: Start with Basic Shapes
Begin your rat drawing by sketching two basic shapes: a circle for the head and an oblong oval for the body. Place the circle above the oval shape but just a little bit to the left-hand side.
Step 2: Add Some Details
To give your rat more character, add some details to its basic shape. Sketch two small circles at the top of the head for the ears and a pointed snout at the bottom of the circle.
Step 3: Sketch the Legs and Tail
Starting at the bottom of the rat’s body, sketch two short, straight lines for the front legs, then add two longer, curved ones for the back legs. Add fluffy feet by adding triangles at the end of each leg. Finally, for the tail, add an S-shape with a little fluff at the end.
Step 4: Draw the Face Details
Draw the lips by curving two parallel lines to create a mouth. Sketch two small ovals for the eyes, and a little circle inside each for the pupils. Draw a curved line for the eyebrow and small whiskers coming out of the sides of the nose.
Step 5: Add More Details
Use the guidelines you drew to add extra details to your rat. Sketch the fur around the face, shoulders, and legs. Don’t forget to add a few lines on the belly and side to give a better look of the rat’s body.
Step 6: Coloring or Shading
If you’d like, you can start coloring your rat drawing by using colored pencils, markers or digitally.
Step 7: Done!
You’ve successfully drawn a rat!
FAQs
1. What else can I do with my rat drawing?
Rat drawings can be used as designs on t-shirts, humorous illustrations in children’s books, or maybe even an Instagram post!
2. How do I make sure my rat doesn’t look too cartoonish?
To avoid having a too cartoonish-looking rat, use reference images of actual rats as a guide for proportion and shading.
3. What should I do if my rat looks too flat?
Adding shadows and highlights can help put some depth in your rat drawing.
4. How can I add texture to my rat’s fur?
Draw lots of small, thin lines to imitate the texture of the rat’s fur.
5. What are some other methods of shading?
You can use hatching (diagonal lines), cross-hatching (multiple diagonal lines crossing one another), back-and-forth strokes (creating shading by rubbing the pencil back and forth), or stippling (tiny dots spread out to form the shading).
6. Will drawing rats make me less scared of them?
Maybe 🙂
Conclusion
Drawing rats doesn’t have to be intimidating – with a little practice, you can create a stunning rat drawing. Remember to take your time, start with basic shapes, and add details gradually. Use reference photos to get accurate proportions and shading techniques that suit your skill level, and don’t be afraid to experiment with new styles.