crocodile pictures

How to Draw a Crocodile

Crocodiles are the oldest reptiles (200 million years old) that resemble a huge lizard. Undoubtedly the most intimidating of all reptiles, crocodiles are divided into 23 different species with the biggest ones called 'saltwater crocodile' and the smallest, 'dwarf crocodile.' Most species can be found in Africa and in some regions of Asia.

With a life span of around 50 to 60 years, crocodiles are ambush predators. They patiently wait for their prey to come close enough for the attack and then strike fiercely, leaving not much option for escape. Crocodiles have well-built jaws, fitted with sharp teeth to kill. They mostly feed on vertebrates, like fish, reptiles, and mammals. These cold-blooded animals can stay up to a year without a kill. Crocodiles are inclined to flock in water territories like rivers, swamps, lakes, everglades, wetlands, and saline water.

The steps here guide on drawing these formidable creatures.

Required tools:

1. Pencil
2. Paper/canvas
3. Colors
4. A reference picture

Easy steps to draw a crocodile

Basic outline:

• Face: Trace out an egg shape for the head. Manipulate it to form snout and mouth at the left (narrower) end of the oval. Trace a wavy line in the middle of the snout as a guideline for the jaws. Shape out small eyes, a small black slit for pupil, semi-circular eyelids on the top of eyes, a broad snout, and a bulky neck. Darken the eyes and the nostrils. Draw the rest of the shape of the open bottom jaws by adding razor sharp teeth and a tongue. Depict some tough skin detailing on its head above the eyes.

• Body: Add a long oval at the broader end of the head. This will be the body of your crocodile. Behind the head, supplement with spiky lines going down its back all the way to the tail. Add on wrinkles, lines, and folds around the neck, bottom of the belly, and the toes.

• Limbs: Mark two oval, muscular visible legs & feet at the anterior and posterior ends of the body. Keep them short and stout, full of lines. Draw four sharp claws.

• Tail: At the right end of the body, draw two curved thick lines, joining at the tip, for the tail. Sketch out some razor edged, small triangles until the end of the tail.

• Final changes: Erase all the guiding lines. Darken the bodyline with a black marker. It can be bumpy lines. You can give a waterscape in a dense forest. Indulge with a bit of color and imagination, befitting a real crocodile.

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. Please visit the website at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Annette_Labedzki