In this tutorial, we’ll be exploring how to draw a troll in 20 steps. The troll’s bulky shape and exaggerated features make it a fun fantasy subject. This guide fits a medium difficulty level since it combines simple anatomy and stylized proportions.
About the Troll’s Appearance
Before starting the sketch, let’s note the main traits that define a troll’s look. Trolls are typically large, rough-looking humanoid creatures often shown in myths and fantasy stories. Their exaggerated anatomy and facial structure make them unique to draw.
- Head: Large and elongated with a long nose and sharp teeth.
- Ears: Pointed.
- Hair: Sparse, thin strands around the ears and nape.
- Body: Muscular but bulky with a slight hunch.
- Arms: Long, with four-fingered oversized hands and thick fingers.
- Legs: Short and strong, supporting the heavy upper body.
- Clothing: Usually minimal, such as a simple loincloth or fur piece.
- Feet: Large and flat, with four visible toes on each one.
Trolls appear in many folklore versions, some live under bridges, while others dwell in mountains or caves. You can adjust the design later to fit your own version of a fantasy troll. And you can also add other fantasy creatures like a hobbit, faun, minotaur or an orc to your sketchbook after finishing this drawing.
Color System for This Troll Drawing Tutorial
Each step in this guide uses colors to make the process clear and structured:
- Red Color: new lines to draw in the current step
- Black Color: lines drawn in previous steps
- Grey Color: base sketch, guiding shapes
Now that you know how to draw a Troll with Big Features and Rough Look, it would be great to see what your version turned out like. The pinned post for this tutorial over on Pinterest is where the SketchOk community drops their finished trolls and talks through techniques, so feel free to add yours to the mix. If you prefer watching over reading, some guides from the Monsters and Fantasy Creatures series also show up as videos on the SketchOk YouTube channel.