Beginner's - ArtTrader Magazine

Art TRADER
m a g a z i n e
Canines
Canines have a longer, more rectangular shape to their muzzles. Of course, some
of the more mutated breeds of dogs - chihuahua and boxers for example, have far
shorter and rounder muzzles. Their ears either are erect pointing directly upwards, or
flop comically beside their face. Their eyes are smaller in proportion to their body size,
although it should be noted that some canine species are nocturnal (fox and coyote for
example). Some species of wild dog and domesticated breeds sport a ruff of fur about
their face and neck. These are not quite as defined as their feline cousins, but should
not be overlooked.
PREY
Rodents/Lagomorphs
Rodents and Lagomorphs are about as closely related as cats and dogs. They have
large, round, dark eyes identifying their largely nocturnal lifestyle and more pronounced
eye sockets. Their ears are quite large in proportion, giving them good hearing - all
the better to hear those predators! Their snouts are quite long and pronouced but their
mouths are quite small. Eyes are set back closer to the ears, giving them “all-round’
vision. Note the difference in noses from the carnivores above - these prey species
have a “V” shaped nose, the nostrils rimmed with pink. Features to look for when
drawing rodents and lagomorphs:
• Eye size - big or small? Most rodents have quite large eyes.
• Cheeks - ruffs/pouches? Rodents store their food in cheek pouches, which can be
characterized by tufts of fur.
Ungulates
Hoofed animals are prey species of the larger carnivores and as such need good
peripheral vision. Their eyes are set back in the sides of their head, near the base of the ear and at a
distinctly different angle to that of a carnivores. Their snouts are quite long, their mouths small. They also
have fleshy lips, used to pull leaves from trees or grass. Their ears are set high on their head. Features
to look for when drawing rodents and lagomorphs:
• Nostrils or Dy Noses? Many ungulates have two separate nostrils, set to either side of their snout and
rimmed with pink. Some, however, like deer and antelopes, have actual “dry noses” not unlike those
of the carnivores.
• Head adornments? To protect themselves and help defend mates, many ungulates
sport defensive measures in the form of horns or tusks. Look for where these
attach to the body and the form they take. They should be sketched in now if
they’re not already.
• Ear shape? Ungulates have longer, pointed ears. Some, like horses, point directly
upwards, whereas goats and deer may rest at right angles to the cheeks or droop
downwards.
• Lips - narrow or wide? Ungulates have fleshy lips - browsers (tree eaters) have
narrower lips often with prehensile properties, ideal for plucking. Others, like the
white rhino which is a grazer, are much wider and act more-or-less like a
lawnmower. Study your reference and imagine how it likes to dine. Also, look for
tongues. Giraffes, for example, have very long tongues which they use to denude
branches.
• Pupil shape and size? Are the eyes large and dark and limpid like a deer’s or are
the pupils narrow, evil, horizontal slits like a goats?
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