A resting crocodile

A study of a crocodile with a closed long snout, armored back and curved tail on textured paper. Block the long snout, low torso and curved tail before drawing any scales.

A way into the drawing

1. Set the main volumes

   Block the long snout, low torso and curved tail before drawing any scales.

2. Connect the limbs

   Place the three visible splayed legs; the far foreleg remains hidden behind the body.

3. Build the structure

   Run the large armored ridges along the back and tail, then vary the smaller scales around the joints.

4. Refine the values

   Deepen overlaps beneath the legs and jaw while preserving lighter scale ridges.

A small thing to tryKeep the snout, torso and tail part of one continuous silhouette.