Dragons & Fantasy

EASTERN DRAGON

Dragons are not unique to Western culture, of course—Japan and China are rife with tales and paintings of dragons, usually depicted as benevolent and wise beings, often respected and revered as guardian spirits. Perhaps the most striking difference between dragons of the East and dragons of the West is their appearance. Eastern dragons have long, serpentine bodies, and they do not have wings; however, they achieve flight by floating and undulating through the air. Eastern dragons are often depicted with beards, thick manes, two elk- or deerlike horns, and long whiskers, like a catfish or carp. This lesson will demonstrate drawing the general characteristics of Eastern dragons so you can capture their essence in your own drawings. ...