Why I Love to Draw Reptiles

While I enjoy drawing any animal species, I have a specific passion for drawing reptiles.

Here are the 4 top reasons I find reptile art so satisfying to create 

Reptile textures are perfect for colour pencil work

Colour pencils are my medium of choice. Scales, skin patterns, and reflections give me endless opportunities to layer, blend, and add fine details — which is exactly what coloured pencils excel at. I love the technical challenge of capturing those textures and the thought processes involved in working out how to transfer the fine detail from photograph onto paper. There’s always something new for me to figure out.

close up of many different types of scales around a bearded dragon's neck area

Reptile colours are rich and varied

Reptiles come in jewel-like greens, fiery reds, subtle browns, and metallic sheens -vibrant colours but still grounded in nature. Colour pencils are fantastic for building up these rich tones, they allow for slow, layered work, capturing subtle shifts in colour and light.

This Green Anole drawing is an example of a wonderful array of vibrant greens and blues

An unfinished colour pencil drawing of a green lizard sat on some green leaves. The drawing is taped to a drawing board and there are some green colour pencils in the bottom left corner.

I'm drawn to the beauty of the unusual

Reptiles aren’t the typical subject for art — it’s far more common to see furry mammal pets such as cats and dogs as animal subjects, or majestic African animals like elephants and lions. While these animals are also wonderful to draw, I’m drawn to reptiles as they’re mysterious, ancient, and often misunderstood. To portray them in all their glory feels like a way to introduce more people to their beauty and wonder.

Royal Ball Python colour pencil drawing on drafting film. Snake portrait

I love the aspect of learning about different reptile species

I like to really connect with my art subjects. I think it is important to learn about each species and their behaviours and habitats to form that connection. I find reptiles endlessly interesting and with so many different species, and the variety of different environments they inhabit including deserts and rainforest, there is an endless opportunity to learn and connect with these amazing animals. 

If you would like to see some more of my reptile art then take a look at some of my current reptile prints and cards

CLICK TO VISIT MY SIDE EYE REPTILE ART HOMEPAGE
By: LouisePosted on Categories : Categories : Behind the Scales, UncategorizedTags:

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