Capturing a resting dog on paper can be a great exercise in understanding body structure and relaxed postures. In this guide, I’ll show you how to draw a sleeping dog step by step, covering its curled body, soft facial expression, and the gentle flow of its fur.

Understanding the Features of a Sleeping Dog

• A relaxed body
• Closed eyes and a peaceful expression
• Soft, floppy ears resting naturally
• Folded or slightly tucked paws
• A gently curved tail following the body’s form

If you enjoy sketching dogs, cats and other animals, you might also want to try drawing a running dog, a hunting lion, or a howling wolf.

Breaking Down the Drawing Process

To make it easier to follow, I use a color-coded system:

• Red Color: Highlights the current step
• Black Color: Represents previously drawn lines
• Grey Color: Shows the basic sketch foundation

These colors will guide you through each stage, ensuring that your drawing progresses smoothly.

Step 1: We begin by creating a basic sketch of our sleeping dog. Start by drawing a circle for the head, with slightly curved vertical and horizontal lines to indicate its orientation. To the right of this circle, draw a larger circle to represent the back part of the body. Then, connect these circles with simple lines to outline the overall shape and proportions of the body.

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Step 2: Using simple lines, indicate the general placement of the dog’s features and body parts. Sketch the position and shape of the ears, muzzle, nose, tail, and the three visible legs in the sleeping position.

Step 3: Now, draw the nose of our dog. Keep it simple by sketching a black oval, leaving a small unshaded area at the top for the highlight.

Step 4: Draw the lower part of the nose, also in black, as shown in the reference. From there, begin to form the outline of the muzzle and cheeks, and start sketching the lower half of the dog’s head.

Step 5: To the left of the horizontal line from our basic sketch, add a couple of curved lines to show the upper part of the head in this area. On the right, draw the outline of the dog’s ear.

Step 6: Since our dog is sleeping, we’ll draw closed eyes at this stage. Add a few simple lines around the eyes and muzzle to give volume and character to our sleeping dog.

Step 7: Begin drawing the first leg, which is located to the left of the dog’s head, as the dog is partially resting its head on this leg. Outline the shape and include the divisions for the toes.

Step 8: Now draw the upper part of the head, smoothly transitioning into the outline of the ear on the left side, which we haven’t drawn yet.

Step 9: Using simple lines above the dog’s head, create the shape of the neck. Starting from the ear on the left, draw the outline of the upper body and back up to where the tail begins.

Step 10: Now, let’s add the tail.

Step 11: Draw the hind leg, positioned in a way that complements the sleeping pose. This leg is closer to us and is partially covered by the tail we drew in the previous step.

Step 12: Continue our guide on how to draw a sleeping dog by adding the visible part of the second hind leg, which is partially hidden behind the leg we drew in the previous step.

Step 13: Behind the leg we drew earlier, draw lines to indicate the beginning of the front leg that we outlined when completing the main part of the dog’s head, the leg on which the dog is resting its head.

Step 14: Add the final details to enhance realism and enrich the drawing. Include lines on the ears, head near the eyes, whisker marks on the lower left side of the muzzle, simple lines above the head near the middle of the body to show curves, lines on the legs for volume, and visible paw pads on the hind legs.

Step 15: Complete your drawing by erasing the basic sketch lines. If you’d like, you can also outline the final sketch with a pen or ink and erase the pencil lines once the ink is dry. This will give your drawing a clean, finished look.

Bravo on Completing the Steps!

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Once the structure is complete, refine the lines, smooth out the contours, and add shading to enhance the fur texture. Pay attention to subtle details, like the softness of the paws and the gentle folds of the ears.

Finished your sketch? I’d love to see it! Share your drawing in the comments of the pinned post on Pinterest and check out what other artists have created.

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