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How to Draw a Turtle Shell

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Did you know that turtles belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the world—beating snakes, crocodiles, and alligators? The first proto-turtles are believed to have existed about 220 million years ago!

Drawing a turtle is a great experience for artists of any skill level. Using the example of this animal, we can observe a variety of textures and natural patterns.

We'll sketch a turtle from scratch, both in a side and aerial view, using just a couple of graphite pencils. Let's have fun!

What You Will Need

  • an HB graphite pencil
  • a 3B graphite pencil
  • an eraser
  • drawing paper
The art supplies for this project The art supplies for this project The art supplies for this project

1. How to Draw a Turtle in a Side View

Step 1

Let's start with a rough sketch of the turtle's figure.

I draw a rounded shape of the shell. Most land-based turtles have a large, heavy, dome-shaped shell that protects the animal's body from predators.

The shell is actually a part of the skeleton; it consists of over 50 bones. And, contrary to a popular belief, a turtle cannot come out of its shell.

Drawing a shape of the shell Drawing a shape of the shell Drawing a shape of the shell

Then I add the shape of the head…

Drawing a rough shape of the head Drawing a rough shape of the head Drawing a rough shape of the head

… and mark the feet—or, more precisely, the places where the limbs meet the ground. We don't add the fourth shape because it is not visible in this foreshortening.

Adding the shapes of the feet Adding the shapes of the feet Adding the shapes of the feet

Step 2

I refine the initial shape, outlining the upper shell of the turtle (it is called the carapace).

A shell is a three-dimensional object, so I round the contour line in the bottom part of the shape.

Drawing the upper shell of the turtle Drawing the upper shell of the turtle Drawing the upper shell of the turtle

Then I add the plastron—the lower shell that encases the belly.

Drawing the lower shell Drawing the lower shell Drawing the lower shell

Step 3

I outline the shape of the head.

Drawing the head of the turtle Drawing the head of the turtle Drawing the head of the turtle

Step 4

I draw the eye. Most terrestrial turtles have their eyes looking down at objects in front of them, so my intention is to convey this feature by lowering the eye's inner corner.

Drawing the eye of the turtle Drawing the eye of the turtle Drawing the eye of the turtle

Step 5

I draw the line of the mouth. Turtles have rigid beaks that help them to bite off pieces of food.

I also add the nostrils.

Drawing the details of the head Drawing the details of the head Drawing the details of the head

Step 6

Using simple shapes, I construct the short, sturdy feet of the turtle.

Outlining the limbs of the turtle Outlining the limbs of the turtle Outlining the limbs of the turtle

Step 7

I refine the feet, erasing all the unnecessary lines.

Refining the shapes of the feet Refining the shapes of the feet Refining the shapes of the feet

Step 8

Turtles usually have long claws, so I add four claws to each limb. The feet look much more credible now!

I also refine the shape of the carapace.

Adding the claws Adding the claws Adding the claws

Step 9

I draw the prominent polygonal plates (they are called the scutes) in the upper part of the carapace.

Drawing the upper plates Drawing the upper plates Drawing the upper plates

I add the next row of scutes just underneath the first one.

Drawing more scutes Drawing more scutes Drawing more scutes

Step 10

I add two more rows; the scutes here are smaller.

Completing the set of plates Completing the set of plates Completing the set of plates

I also mark the relief elements of the plastron with light lines; we don't need too many details here.

Adding a subtle pattern to the plastron Adding a subtle pattern to the plastron Adding a subtle pattern to the plastron

Step 11

Let's add some details to the turtle's skin. The pattern may vary; you can see a couple of examples in the image below.

An example of turtles skin texture An example of turtles skin texture An example of turtles skin texture

I add the elements, starting from the head. I also draw the folds of skin in the neck area.

Creating the skin texture Creating the skin texture Creating the skin texture

Step 12

I complete the pattern in the head and neck area.

Then I add the pattern of the turtle's limbs; it resembles a set of close-fitting jags of slightly different size.

Creating the pattern of the limbs texture Creating the pattern of the limbs texture Creating the pattern of the limbs texture

Step 13

I draw the pattern of the scutes. You can see an example scheme in the image below.

By the way, counting the rings formed by the stack of smaller, older scutes on top of the larger, newer ones can help to estimate the approximate age of a turtle.

Creating the pattern of the scutes Creating the pattern of the scutes Creating the pattern of the scutes

Step 14

With the HB pencil, I add some shading to the darkest areas of my drawing, including the drop shadow.

Creating the core shadows Creating the core shadows Creating the core shadows

Step 15

I also add a layer of light hatching to the sides of the shell and the head of the turtle.

Accenting the sides of the shell Accenting the sides of the shell Accenting the sides of the shell

Step 16

With the 3B pencil, I emphasize the pattern of the scutes.

Drawing the pattern with the softer pencil Drawing the pattern with the softer pencil Drawing the pattern with the softer pencil

Step 17

With the 3B pencil, I increase the contrast in the drawing by darkening the skin texture.

Increasing the contrast Increasing the contrast Increasing the contrast

Step 18

With the 3B pencil, I cover the shell with a layer of hatching, accentuating the sides and the gaps between the scutes.

Creating an illusion of the three-dimensional shell Creating an illusion of the three-dimensional shell Creating an illusion of the three-dimensional shell

Step 19

To make this drawing harmonious, I apply more 3B graphite strokes to the limbs and head.

This illustration is complete!

Completing the drawing Completing the drawing Completing the drawing

2.How to Draw a Turtle in an Aerial View

Step 1

I draw a light line with the HB pencil; let's assume that this line is going through the center of the turtle's head and shell.

Drawing the core line Drawing the core line Drawing the core line

I add the shape of the shell and the framework of the limbs.

This reference is not a strict guideline, it's rather a general outline that helps us to convey the direction of the body.

Adding the shell Adding the shell Adding the shell

Step 2

I draw the shape of the head with the neck, and then add the feet.

Adding the shapes of the head and limbs Adding the shapes of the head and limbs Adding the shapes of the head and limbs

Step 3

I refine the shape of the neck. Turtles often have a traverse skinfold that is visible in this foreshortening.

Working on the neck and head Working on the neck and head Working on the neck and head

I narrow the shape of the head and add the eyes—they are barely visible.

Adding the eyes Adding the eyes Adding the eyes

Step 4

I construct the limbs.

Drawing the feet Drawing the feet Drawing the feet

Step 5

To complete the feet, I add the claws.

Adding the claws Adding the claws Adding the claws

Step 6

I draw a short tail; most species of turtles have it.

Adding the tail Adding the tail Adding the tail

Step 7

I draw a new rounded shape inside the shell outline, and then divide it into three parts.

Drawing a new figure inside the shape of the shell Drawing a new figure inside the shape of the shell Drawing a new figure inside the shape of the shell

Step 8

I draw the scutes in the central part of the shell. Allow the elements to be slightly uneven—this makes the drawing more natural.

Filling in the central figure Filling in the central figure Filling in the central figure

I add the circular row of smaller scutes.

Adding more plates Adding more plates Adding more plates

Step 9

I create a pattern of scutes. Don't strive for perfection; let the pattern be slightly irregular and spontaneous.

Adding the pattern of the scutes Adding the pattern of the scutes Adding the pattern of the scutes

Step 10

I add the jagged pattern of the limbs.

Adding the pattern of the limbs Adding the pattern of the limbs Adding the pattern of the limbs

Step 11

With the HB pencil, I accentuate the darkest areas of the drawing.

Darkening the core shadows Darkening the core shadows Darkening the core shadows

Step 12

With the 3B pencil, I increase the contrast, darkening the pattern of the scutes and the gaps between the plates.

Working on the pattern of the scutes Working on the pattern of the scutes Working on the pattern of the scutes

Step 13

I apply a layer of hatching to the shell, using the 3B pencil. I also work on the textures of the turtle's limbs, head, and tail.

Adding more hatching to the limbs and shell Adding more hatching to the limbs and shell Adding more hatching to the limbs and shell

Step 14

With the 3B pencil, I darken the shell, leaving its center relatively light to create an illusion of convexity. I also accentuate the shadows on the limbs and neck.

Completing the drawing Completing the drawing Completing the drawing

Your Artworks Are Complete

Congratulations—we've created two beautiful graphite pencil drawings! I hope you were inspired by the fascinating textures and the world of nature.

Let your creative journey be fruitful and full of joy!

The result of our work The result of our work The result of our work

donaldsonmostright.blogspot.com

Source: https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-draw-a-turtle--cms-30517

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