A pangolin in scales

A study of a pangolin with overlapping scales, four short limbs and a curved tail on textured paper. Establish the low head, arched torso and long tail curve.

A way into the drawing

1. Establish the construction

   Establish the low head, arched torso and long tail curve.

2. Resolve the main structure

   Resolve the four limbs and their overlap beneath the body.

3. Develop the detail

   Stagger overlapping scale rows around the curved torso and tail.

4. Control the values

   Use graphite shadows under the scale edges without flattening the body.

A small thing to tryLet the scales become smaller as the tail narrows.