Griffin graphite study

One seated griffin in three-quarter view, eagle head and beak, two folded wings, two front bird legs, lion haunches and complete tail. Practice form, overlap and selective shading in graphite.

A way into the drawing

1. Establish the main shapes

   Place the eagle head above the chest and lion haunches.

2. Connect the structure

   Attach two front legs, folded wings and the full tail.

3. Develop the drawing

   Use selective interior marks and local shadow groups to explain the overlaps. Keep the lighter planes open rather than shading every surface.

A small thing to tryKeep the bird and lion parts joined through one coherent torso.