How to draw and paint - 100 pro tips and tutorials
If you've got questions about how to draw, this varied collection of drawing tutorials will set you off on the right path. For beginners and professional artists, and everyone in-between, there is always something new to learn, and this roundup of tutorials will teach you the basics and enable you to master the skills you already have. Whether you want to draw animals, body parts or flowers, we've got you covered.
This roundup includes a mix of video guides and written tutorials, so you'll be able to get your head around the most complex techniques.
Quick links
1. How to draw animals
2. How to draw people
3. How to draw nature
We've included different drawing mediums and cover more traditional methods as well as modern ones. If you're hoping to update your drawing kit before you start, then make sure you check out our guide to the best pencils or to take your drawing experience to another level, have a look at our best lightboxes article.
If you're working on Adobe Illustrator, then have a look at our list of the best Adobe Illustrator tutorials from around the web. Or if you're a little more old-school, we have a range of sketching tips from the experts.
How to draw: Animals
How to draw a butterfly
In this diverse tutorial artist Kate Osbourne teaches us how to paint butterflies with watercolour, gouache and unusual printing techniques. Kate keeps it simple, encouraging us to let the paint do the work in order to create stunning butterfly artwork.
This easy-to-follow guide takes us step by step through each process but you can get as adventurous as you want. It's a great tutorial if you're just getting started and want a way to develop your own artistic flair.
How to draw fantasy beasts
In this imaginative tutorial, Emily Hare teaches us how to draw fantasy beasts using pencil and watercolours. The step-by-step guide takes you through the process right from the start, from concept sketches all the way to fine details, encouraging you to "go with the flow." This how-to is a great place to start if you're anxious about starting your drawing journey as there are no strict rules to creating your own unique fantasy beast – so let your mind run wild.
How to draw a dog
In this tutorial, Kate Oleska, teaches us how to draw a dog with step-by-step instructions. While every dog breed looks different, below the fur, they're all structurally very similar. So even if you are aiming to draw a pup different to the one in this tutorial, this guide will equip you with the skills to draw a realistic dog, whatever the breed.
How to draw a cat
Kate Oleska walks us through how to draw a cat with this handy step-by-step guide. This tutorial even includes super nifty advice on how to develop your drawing skills, and how to observe cats when sketching. There are also some pointers on how to recognise a cat's internal skeleton, which will help you to draw a number of cat breeds from tigers to kittens.
How to draw a horse
Horses are notoriously complex animals to draw, with their long faces and lack of fur to hide behind it can be a feat to capture them correctly. Not to mention the fact that a horse's skeleton works a little different to what we are typically used to. The slightest wrong line might take your horse from realistic to comical, but don't worry, this how to draw a horse tutorial is easy to follow and even comes with a super helpful video.
How to draw a wolf
Next up, it's the king of all canines – how to draw a wolf. Believe it or not, there are many differences between dogs and wolves, so don't just assume because you can draw one, you can also draw the other. In this video tutorial, Masae Seki explains how these canine breeds differ, before walking through the process of drawing a side view of a standing wolf. As a bonus, there are also instructions on how to add a winter coat for those chillier months.
How to draw a fox
This how to draw a fox tutorial shows you how to create a cunning and alert animal using soft pastels, charcoal, Conté crayons and pastel pencils. Rebecca de Mendonça shares tips for building up darks and lights to create the form, and then working into areas of detail. The result is pretty spectacular.
How to draw a bird
This how to draw a bird tutorial is a step-by-step guide to drawing a side view of a bird, using an American Robin as an example. The lesson begins by explaining the six major body parts to watch for when drawing a bird, before carving out its mass and structure. Finally the guide will cover the fine details, such as the facial features, feet, and most importantly, the feathers. There are also tips on how to draw a bird with its wings open.
How to draw a lion
This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through how to draw a lion – specifically, a side view of a male African Lion. You'll start by establishing the skeletal structure, then move on to sketching in form, and finally adding details to create an accurate representation of a lion. Not exciting enough for you? This tutorial will also touch on the best way to depict a lion roaring.
How to draw an elephant
Capture the world's largest land animal with this in-depth video tutorial on how to draw an elephant. Start with blocking in shapes and covering basic anatomy, then move on to carving out the elephant's mass and form of the body before diving into the details of this beautiful animal's skin.
How to draw a bear
Want to learn how to draw a bear that doesn't look like a teddy? This drawing tutorial offers pro tips for getting the anatomy right, so that you can create a believable bear.
How to draw a dragon
Learn how to draw a dragon, one of fantasy art's staple creatures. This guide is complete with 16 pro tips to help you when drawing your own unique dragon. From use of colour to considering its backstory, this advice covers all you need to know.
How to draw fur
In this four-step tutorial using pastels, Jill Tisbury explains how to draw fur on an animal, using a wildcat as an example. The result is an incredibly realistic depiction of a cat.
Drawing fur digitally
Fur can be difficult to paint effectively. In this set of pro tips, concept artist Mikaël Léger guides you through how to paint fur on a large beast using Photoshop.
How to draw feathers
This guide to how to draw feathers will have you drawing feathers with a three-dimensional finish, using pastels. It will take you through using highlights and shading to finish off your feathers, making them look super-realistic.
How to draw cartoon animals
Once you've learned how to draw animals, you need to know how to make them work effectively within your paintings. This series of expert creature creation tips gives you great insight into drawing cartoon animals with personality, and how to use body language to tell a story with your creatures.
How to draw: People
How to draw a person
Whichever kind of artist you are, learning how to draw the human form is a fundamental skill that will serve you well. In this brilliant video tutorial, character designer and illustrator Masae Seki will teach you how to draw a person that's realistic and anatomically correct.
Draw the human body from sight
This tutorial takes you through how to draw the human body from sight. We sometimes let our preconceptions about what the body looks like get in the way of how it actually appears. Here, we take you through different approaches to take to make sure your body drawings are super-accurate.
How to draw a torso
Learn how to draw a torso, the part of the body that underpins your life drawing. This guide focuses on all the parts of the torso, from muscles to the waist, addressing common issues and things to watch out for.
How to draw eyes
This narrated step-by-step tutorial for beginners walks through exactly how to draw an eye. It’s easy to follow and will have you drawing realistic eyes in no time – no matter how good (or bad) you are at them now.
How to draw a neck and shoulders
This in-depth tutorial explains how to draw a neck and shoulders, in a step-by-step format. You'll delve into the exact muscles and bones lurking beneath the surface, and how they should inform your composition. The tutorial also covers shading and finishing your piece.
How to draw a figure
Drawing a full human figure is no easy feat. In this almost hour long video tutorial, discover how to draw a female figure, covering fundamental aspects including figure proportions, gestures, poses and fluid lines.
How to draw muscles
Learn how to draw muscles in motion and harness the power of gesture with this helpful step-by-step guide from artist Patrick J Jones.
How to draw faces
Another tutorial for beginners, this video explains how to draw faces from scratch. You’ll learn how to draw both female faces and male faces, and you’ll also find out how to demonstrate your characters by making just a few simple changes.
How to draw a nose
In this tutorial, Kate Oleska teaches you how to draw a nose by breaking the process down into simple steps. She's using oils, but the steps are relevant to any medium. Noses are notoriously difficult to get right
How to draw hair
This detailed video walks through how to draw hair. It’s a long video – but you don’t have to watch it in one sitting, and you can fast-forward, too. If you want to find out how other artists draw hair, this is worth a watch.
How to draw hands
Learning to create realistic hands is a stumbling block for many an artist. This fantastic tutorial breaks the process of how to draw a hand down into easy steps, so you'll be drawing realistic hands in no time. It also features some bonus tutorials for drawing hands.
How to draw an arm
Hands get a lot of attention, but it's also important to get the arms right. In this tutorial, Patrick J Jones explains how to draw an arm with the correct proportions and muscular structure.
How to draw legs
Learn how to create realistic legs with this how to draw legs tutorial, which will help you create a pair of legs that are in proportion to the rest of the body.
Add energy to your life drawings
In this more advanced tutorial, Patrick J Jones will show you how to draw a figure with a feeling of energy and movement. You'll need to have the basic skills nailed before you move on to this guide, but it's a great way to expand your figure drawing technique further.
How to capture more interesting poses
Mastered drawing a figure? Push your skills further by exploring more challenging poses. In this guide, Patrick J Jones offers advice to help you incorporate the effects of gravity and compression into your figure drawings, and teaches you how to draw complex figures.
How to draw a character in pen and ink
This expert guide will walk you through some advice for drawing a character using pen and ink. With tips like starting your project with thumbnails, to how to use shadows for maximum impact, this guide will improve your character drawing skills in no time. (If you're desigining your own character, why not take a look at our character design tips?)
Draw anatomy - top tips
For a roundup of some of the above skills, see our draw anatomy: top tips piece, which outlines 12 tips for drawing the body. From quick sketches to using shapes and forms to bring a drawing to life, this tutorial has a range of helpful advice.
How to draw: Nature
How to draw a rose
You might know how to draw flowers generally, but do you know how to draw a rose? It's one of the most popular flowers around, yet many artists hit a wall when trying to figure it out – here's a step-by-step guide to nailing how to draw a rose.
How to draw petals
This tutorial shares how to paint petals in watercolour. It also has an accompanying video (see above).
How to draw a landscape
This tutorial walks though how to create an atmospheric landscape using chalk pastels, including how to create intensity and use highlights effectively.
How to draw water
If you want to learn how to draw water, this super short tutorial has some great tips. Give it a watch if you need to know how to draw realistic drops of water.
How to paint a sky
This tutorial urges you not to see the sky as an afterthought, but to consider it in connection with the rest of the painting. This how to paint skies tutorial has some top tips for doing just that. Also see our how to paint clouds tutorial for more sky-related advice.
If you're just getting started on your artistic journey, the new Apple Vision Pro art app could revolutionise the way you learn (as long as you've got a spare $3,500). For more art inspiration, take a look at the trippy optical illusion you can learn to draw in 60 seconds.
