If you’ve ever been fascinated by the fiery spectacle of the Monstrous Nightmare from “How to Train Your Dragon“, here’s your chance to recreate its splendor. This guide will walk you through how to draw the Monstrous Nightmare, capturing its essence, fierceness, and grandeur.
Anatomy of a Nightmare
- Body and Stature: The Monstrous Nightmare boasts a long, snake-like neck and tail, covered in vibrant scales, usually red.
- Gigantic Head: Its enormous head can swallow a Viking whole, making it essential to get its proportions right.
- Wings: Unlike many dragons, it doesn’t have forelegs. Instead, its wings resemble that of Pterosaurs, allowing it to crawl along the ground.
- Horns and Spikes: Its back dons two rows of spikes, and its horns, though swept back, are a significant feature.
Consider adding other dragons like Singetail, Hotburple, Gronckle and the Night Fury for the complete HTTYD illustration.
Color Codes and Their Significance
- Red Color: Indicates the current step you should be working on.
- Black Color: Displays the lines you’ve previously drawn, acting as a reference.
- Grey Color: Represents the basic structure and proportions of the sketch.
The guide contains 11 comprehensive steps, starting with the foundation sketch and culminating with the option to ink your masterpiece. After inking, ensure you wait for it to dry to prevent smudging, before gently erasing the underlying pencil sketch.
Behind the Monstrous Facade
Character Designer Nico Marlet played a pivotal role in shaping the Monstrous Nightmare, integrating an ‘intimidating flame motif into its shape patterns’ and blessing it with ninety-seven teeth. The dragon’s design underwent multiple iterations before settling on the one we know and love today.
Flame On and Draw!
Now that you know how to draw the Monstrous Nightmare, the sky’s the limit. But remember, SketchOk is a one-person show. If you’ve benefited from this guide and wish to support further, consider making a donation. Your generous contribution not only fuels future tutorials but also lets you suggest topics that’ll be prioritized. Share the love, spread the word, and keep sketching!
Nice job!