The head is where a dog’s personality shines through the brightest. From the soulful, knowing eyes and the curious tilt of the ears to the happy pant of an open mouth, a dog’s face is a canvas of emotion.
Capturing that character on paper can feel like a daunting task, reserved only for seasoned artists.
You might have tried before, only to end up with a lopsided circle and features that don’t quite look right, which can be incredibly frustrating.
But what if you could learn the secret that all artists use to tackle complex subjects? This guide is here to show you that you absolutely can.
We’re going to break down the process and show you how to draw a dog head using a simple, step-by-step method that relies on basic shapes.
There’s no need for expensive tools or years of training. This tutorial is designed for complete beginners who want to learn the fundamentals and create a drawing they can be proud of.
So, grab a pencil and a piece of paper. It’s time to quiet that inner critic and discover how fun and rewarding it is to bring an adorable dog’s face to life with your own two hands.
Table of Contents
The Simple Tools for Your Artistic Start
One of the best things about drawing is how little you need to get started. You don’t need a fancy art studio or a huge collection of supplies.
To learn how to draw a dog head, you just need a few basic items that you likely already have around your house. Keeping your toolkit simple helps you focus on the most important part: the drawing process itself.
Your Essential Drawing Kit:
- A Pencil: A standard #2 school pencil (also known as an HB pencil) is the perfect starting point. It’s great for making light initial sketches that are easy to erase, but it can also create darker lines when you apply more pressure. You don’t need a full set of artist pencils to begin; one reliable pencil is all it takes.
- Paper: Any paper will do! A sheet from a printer, a page in a notebook, or a dedicated sketchbook all work wonderfully. The goal is to practice and have fun, not to create a perfect masterpiece on your first go.
- An Eraser: Think of your eraser as a drawing tool, not just a mistake-fixer. It can be used to clean up guidelines or even create highlights in your final sketch. A good quality eraser that doesn’t smudge is your best friend. A pencil with an eraser on the end is also very convenient.
That’s it! With these three simple items, you are fully equipped to start your artistic journey and learn the fundamentals of drawing a dog’s head.
The Foundation: Building the Head with Basic Shapes
The secret that every artist knows is that any complex object can be broken down into a collection of simple, basic shapes.
We are going to build our dog’s head using circles and ovals. This construction method is easy to follow and helps ensure your drawing has good proportions from the very beginning.
Step 1: Draw the Main Cranium
Let’s start with the largest part of the head.
- Draw a Circle: In the middle of your paper, lightly draw a medium-sized circle. Don’t worry about making it perfect. A slightly wobbly, hand-drawn circle has more character and looks more natural than a perfect one drawn with a compass. This circle represents the main part of the dog’s skull.
Step 2: Add the Muzzle (Snout)
Next, we’ll add the part of the head that gives it that classic “dog” look.
- Draw an Oval or Square: Depending on the type of dog you want to draw, attach a smaller shape to the front of your circle.
- For a dog with a longer nose like a Labrador or German Shepherd, draw a rectangular or slightly rounded box shape.
- For a dog with a shorter snout like a pug or a boxer, draw a wider, more squashed oval.
- Let’s start with a classic Labrador-style snout. Draw a rounded rectangular shape that overlaps with the bottom half of your main head circle.
At the end of this step, your drawing should look something like a circle with a box attached to its front. This is the simple skeleton of your dog’s head, and you’re already on the right track!
Adding the Features: How to Draw a Dog Head with Personality
Now that we have the basic structure, we can start adding the features that will turn these simple shapes into an adorable and recognizable dog face. We’ll continue to use simple shapes and lines for each part.
Step 3: Placing the Eyes
The eyes are where the soul of your drawing will be.
- Draw a Guideline: Lightly draw a horizontal line that cuts across the center of your main head circle. This is the eyeline.
- Draw the Eye Shapes: On that guideline, draw two almond or circle shapes for the eyes. The placement can change the expression. Placing them a little wider apart can create a softer, friendlier look.
Step 4: Drawing the Ears
The ears can dramatically change the look and breed of your dog.
- For Floppy Ears (like a Labrador or Beagle): On the top and sides of the head circle, draw two long, hanging “U” or teardrop shapes. They should start on the head circle and hang down, overlapping the sides of the face.
- For Pointy Ears (like a German Shepherd or Husky): On top of the head circle, draw two large, upright triangles.
For this tutorial, we will use classic floppy ears. Draw two teardrop shapes on either side of the head.
Step 5: Drawing the Nose and Mouth
These features complete the front of the face.
- The Nose: At the very front tip of the muzzle shape you drew, draw a rounded triangle for the nose. Fill it in with your pencil to make it dark, but leave a small uncolored spot (a highlight) to make it look shiny and wet.
- The Mouth: From the bottom of the nose, draw a short, straight line down. Then, from the bottom of that line, draw two curved lines going outwards and slightly downwards, like a gentle smile. This creates the classic dog mouth line.
The Magic Step: Refining Your Sketch
You now have a complete outline of a dog’s head made from construction lines. This is a huge accomplishment! Now comes the magical part, where we transform this collection of shapes into a unified, flowing drawing.
Step 6: Connect the Lines and Erase the Guides
This step is where your dog will truly start to emerge from the page.
- Create a Confident Outline: Go over your sketch with slightly more pressure on your pencil. Smooth out the connections between the shapes. For example, draw a clean line where the muzzle connects to the head circle, and where the ears attach to the head. You can make the outline a bit “fluffier” or more irregular to suggest fur.
- Erase the Guidelines: Now, carefully use your eraser to get rid of the initial construction lines. Erase the parts of the main circle that are inside the muzzle and ears. Erase the horizontal eyeline. As these lines disappear, you’ll be left with a clean, clear drawing of a dog’s head.
- Trace Your Final Lines: Once the guidelines are gone, you can go back over your main drawing lines one more time to make them dark and confident. This will make your drawing really stand out.
Adding Depth and Detail: The Finishing Touches
Your drawing already looks great, but a few final details and some simple shading will take it to the next level, giving it a sense of three-dimensional form.
Step 7: Add Detail to the Eyes and Face
- Pupils and Catchlights: Inside the eye shapes, draw a dark circle for the pupil. Crucially, add a tiny uncolored dot inside the pupil. This is called a “catchlight,” and it’s the reflection of light that makes the eye look alive and full of emotion.
- Eyebrows and Whiskers: A couple of small, curved lines above the eyes can act as eyebrows and add a ton of expression. You can also add a few small dots on the muzzle for whiskers.
Step 8: Simple Shading to Create Form
Shading is what makes a flat drawing look round and realistic. Don’t be intimidated by it; we can start very simply.
- Determine Your Light Source: Imagine a light is shining on your dog’s head from one direction, for example, the top right.
- Add Shadows: The parts of the head that are turned away from the light will be in shadow. Using the side of your pencil tip, lightly add some shading under the floppy ears, on the left side of the muzzle, and under the chin.
- Shade the Ears: The inside of the floppy ears would also be in shadow, so you can shade those areas a bit darker.
- Soften the Shading: You can use your finger or a tissue to gently smudge and soften the shading for a smoother look.
Now Make It Your Own: Exploring Variations
Congratulations! You now know the basic formula for how to draw a dog head. The best part is that you can easily change a few key features to draw many different kinds of dogs.
Experiment with Ears:
The ears are one of the most defining features of a dog’s breed.
- Pointed Ears: Instead of floppy “U” shapes, draw two upright triangles on top of the head for a German Shepherd or Husky look.
- Button Ears: For a terrier look, draw small, folded-over triangles.
Experiment with Muzzles:
The shape of the muzzle instantly changes the character.
- Short Muzzle: Use a very wide, short, and squashed oval for a Bulldog or Pug.
- Long, Thin Muzzle: Use a long, narrow rectangle for a Greyhound or Collie.
Experiment with Expressions:
Small changes to the eyes and mouth can create a whole new mood.
- Happy and Excited: Draw the eyes as upward-curving arcs (like happy emojis) and draw the mouth open with a tongue hanging out.
- Sad or Sleepy: Draw the eyes as downward-curving arcs and keep the mouth as a simple, flat line.
Add Color!
Bring your drawing to life by adding color with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. You can create a classic yellow lab, a black and tan shepherd, or a dog with fun, imaginative purple spots!
You Are an Artist! Keep Drawing
You did it! You followed the steps, broke down the subject into simple shapes, and created a wonderfully charming drawing of a dog’s head.
The process you learned today is the fundamental secret to drawing anything you can imagine, from a simple flower to a complex building.
Remember that every artist, no matter how skilled they are today, started with a single line. The key to improving your drawing skills is simply to keep doing it.
Don’t worry about perfection; focus on the joy of the process. Enjoy the simple, quiet magic of creating something from nothing.
Keep this guide handy and use it as a starting point. Doodle a dog head in your notebook, on a card for a friend, or on a whiteboard. The more you practice this basic technique, the more confident you will become.
You now know how to draw a dog head, and that’s a wonderful skill that will bring you joy for years to come. Happy drawing!
