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Scale Tutorial
Published: 2011-05-19 21:52:35 +0000 UTC; Views: 77189; Favourites: 3534; Downloads: 1109
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Description
When I was in my woolgathering stage for my dinosaur stuff, I was completely stymied by the scale tutorials offered here on DA. Almost all of them used the same technique, and almost all of them were for dragons. So I had to do my own research and look at how folks like Gary S. Paul and Luis Rey did their stuff. (And James Gurney, for that matter.) Looking into the wide, wide variety of scales and how they work made a lot of the tutorials kind of insulting, since they broke things down into a icon instead of examining how one would draw a whole frickin' dragon without drawing every single forsaken scale.So here's what I've learned, and I thought I'd share it. Wanting to draw things with scales should not ever mean that you have to draw EVERY single scale it grows. You don't draw every hair on a horse, or every bit of fur on a dog. The rule of implication can apply to dragons, too.
EDIT: Wow, a DD? Seriously? That is so awesome! Thanks to everyone who faved or commented; I'm really glad this has helped so many folks.
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Comments: 161
Great drawing and a great tutorial. I'm wondering though, did the dino on the sketch lose his right forearm? Or did you forget to sketch it on?
Grats on the dd, well deserved!
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Ha ha! Yes, actually, she's missing a forelimb on purpose. I wasn't expecting a DD, that's for sure!
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Very practical. Thanks. This I can use.
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Really useful, and I don't even draw reptiles! Thanks for sharing your knowledge
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Thanks for the very in depth tutorial! I hadn't paid that much attention to scales before reading this. Have to keep your tips in mind if I ever draw scales someday!
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Perfect!
Though IΒ΄m one of those who draw every single scale on a dragon - pretty much because I donΒ΄t mind it - but, IΒ΄ll try to do a bit better from now on
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I agree with your views on drawing dinosaur-type scales on loose skin, but (at least as far as dragons go) I'm a fan of the "draw every scale" camp because I see scales as, essentially, modified feathers. The shape, size, and lay of the scales should change depending on which area of the body they cover...Shading hatchmarks like you show at the top of your tutorial just don't cut it. XD
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I think the point of the tutorial was to show that shading hatchmarks, like the boxes at the top there, ISN'T what to do.
And changing the shape and size of scales is GOOD! But outlining every last one of them tends to flatten the image tremendously, unless the artist knows exactly how to shade and highlight the image to give the entire creature the proper depth, instead of just each individual scale.
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True, but I honestly think it takes just as much skill to properly do what Droemar demonstrates here--that is, to mix "rough textures" with outlined scales for close-ups. I suppose it's just a matter of what works best for you.
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This is an awesome resource that you've added to the dA community. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your knowledge on this subject!
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Used for help and credited here: [link]
Thanks a million. I always wondered how all people drawing scale by scale could be THAT patient. x_X
Dared to draw dragons again *u* amazing tutorial.
Oh and cool T-Rex.
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thank you so much for doing this tutorial!
some days ago I was pursued by the idea of painting a dragon!!
I did a sketch ([link] ) looking here and there at some tutorial... when time had come to do the skin I found your tutorial and I really think it is the best about scales! thank you
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I thought teeth evolved from scales, not the other way around.
Not that I want to be too nitpicky. This tutorial's still amazing <3 And much needed. The scale tutorials get on my nerves as well, and I'm lucky I haven't had to go off of them all too much. Heck, I might be inspired too draw more things with scales now that someone's made sense of it and I don't have to start completely from scratch ._.
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Very interesting guide! Thank you for doing it, I will have a use of it <3
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Thank you very much! I've noticed most tutorials regarding reptiles/dragons/dinosaurs tend to just skim scales- and what they do say implies the drawing of every single one or none at all. |:>
I think this will be very helpful! Thanks again for sharing. ^^
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Thank you for making a tutorial that doesn't brow beat you about drawing every scale, though in my earlier high school days I was detailing scales on my dragons. However the more I look, most people don't really draw all those scales, they either simplify it, or draw only a few to suggest texture. This is really helpful.
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I'm glad you came up with this because I have a lot reptiles characters .
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Very helpful, against the drab and overused patterns of plates.
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Haha, I always had to make my dragons furry because I had no idea how to do scales XD
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Its all about texture, then the repetition of a pattern. Life is the best resource! and never perfect.
I own more then a few hand full of reptilians critters, and what stands out the most the the scales on the heads.
Boas and pythons have smaller scales on the head, while corns and other rat snakes have massive plates.
Python. [link]
Corn. [link]
and, I know form personal experiences, that none of their scales are uniform. One of my larger boas's some of his long flat belly scales are really 2, in a few places.
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This tutorial made me reconsider my decision of staying the hell away from drawing scaled creatures including dragons. Thank you.
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This tutorial made me reconsider my decision of staying the hell away from drawing scaled creatures including dragons. Thank you.
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Oh Droemar, you jar of awesome sauce you
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I really am, aren't I?
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And modest to boot!
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*snortlaugh*
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I'll try this one! Thanks for the help sensei-sama!
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Thanks. This will be very helpful. ^^
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I never thought of that, but it makes sense.
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WOW! Really nice, detailed, informative tutorial. I've always wanted to draw dinosaurs, maybe now that I'm not so intimidated by scales I'll give it a try. 
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This is a good time-saver if nothing else.
It has made me rethink my style of drawing of scaly creatures
Thank you Droemar
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This is good. Scales have always bugged me, and I'm always adding too much detail!
Btw, where'd you get the picture of the purple dragon?
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Google search. I just typed in "dragon" and ran across it, and was like "Jeez, that's what the DA tutorial stuff ends up looking like!"
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I believe it was made by Silverbobcat on deviantart, but if it was, she put it into storage so can't confirm D:
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Oh god, THANK YOU. I had the same problem- I looked for scale tutorials and found NOTHING. And when I asked a really good artist to possibly do a tutorial or at least record how she does it, she snapped in my face and said I should find my own style.
I'll definitely use this, I love you forever.
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Aw, man. I hate when people are so mean... I mean, I understand being protective of stuff you've done... I'm that way with the weaves I made up/figured out by myself, but at least I'm nice about it (I know this is a totally random comment, buuuut IJS). <3
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Hm, I would like to ask if that artist was one of those who drew their shoulderscales like skysealer? (for example)
I've heard that there has been bad times with them and their style. :U!
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How absolutely silly! I hate when artists are like "BAW YOU'RE COPYING MY STYLE!" because honestly, if you are nothing without your 1000% unique style, then you're not a good artist at all. I was listening to an interview with Hans Zimmer (amazing composer) talking about how every time a hit soundtrack is released, the style he used winds up being copied, so he just goes about making another one. If you really think the only unique thing about yourself is the way you approach scales or wings or some such, you need to re-evaluate your art x333
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Yeah, it's pretty stupid, though I have to admit that I often confuse the three people who use that way of drawing the shoulders with each other. They have a very similar style otherwise, a real shame.
The best style comes when you don't try to make a style for yourself - if you just draw and learn about drawing things right, your style will come.
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Yeah, it's Skysealer. >_>
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