How to Draw a Dragon in 3 Styles: European, Asian, and Cartoon

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Do you want to learn how to draw a dragon? Dragons are amazing creatures that appear in stories from many cultures around the world. These powerful beings represent strength, wisdom, and mystery in different traditions. Some cultures see dragons as symbols of good luck and protection, while others view them as dangerous and wild forces of nature.

There are many different types of dragons in world mythology. The two most popular types are the European dragon and the Asian dragon. European dragons usually have large wings, four legs, and breathe fire. Asian dragons have long, snake-like bodies and are often shown without wings. When you learn how to draw a dragon, you can choose which style you prefer.

In this article, you will learn how to draw a dragon in three different ways: the European style, the Asian style, and the simple cartoon dragon. We gathered these guides from various sources, Monday (5/1/2026). Let's learn together.

The European dragon is the most common type you see in fantasy stories and movies. Here's how to draw a dragon in European style.

1. Start by drawing a large oval in the middle of your paper for the body. This oval should be slightly tilted to give the dragon a natural pose. Leave enough space around it for wings, head, and tail.

2. Draw a smaller circle on one end of the oval for the head. Connect the head to the body using two short curved lines to form the neck. Keep the neck thick to show strength.

3. Add a long tail on the opposite end of the body. Draw it as a curved line that slowly becomes thinner as it goes outward. This helps the dragon look balanced.

4. Sketch four legs under the body. Each leg should look strong, with bent joints. Use simple shapes like rectangles and circles to form the upper and lower parts of the legs.

5. Add large wings on the dragon’s back. Start with two long lines going upward, then draw a curved edge to form the wing shape. The wings should be bigger than the body to show power.

6. Shape the head by adding a snout. Draw a small triangle shape at the front of the head for the nose. Add a line for the mouth that slightly curves upward or downward.

7. Place small eyes above the snout. You can add tiny horns on top of the head to give the dragon a fierce look.

8. Draw claws at the end of each leg. Use sharp, curved lines to show that the dragon is dangerous.

9. Add details like scales along the back and tail. Draw small, repeated shapes, but do not overcrowd the drawing.

10. Finally, darken the main lines and erase extra sketch marks. Your European dragon is now complete.

Asian dragons look very different from European dragons and have special meaning in Asian culture. Read on to learn how to draw a dragon in Asian style.

1. Begin with a long, curved line across the page. This line is the main guide for the dragon’s body. Make it look like a gentle wave moving through the air, not a sharp zigzag.

2. Draw another curved line parallel to the first one to form the thickness of the body. Keep the distance between the lines even so the body looks smooth and balanced from head to tail.

3. Add the head at one end of the body. The head should be slightly wider than the neck to make it stand out. Use a rounded shape and avoid sharp corners.

4. Sketch the snout by extending the front of the head forward. Keep it long and soft, with a gentle curve. This helps give the dragon a calm and wise expression.

5. Draw small round eyes above the snout. Place them evenly on both sides of the face. Add long eyebrows that curve upward to show energy and movement.

6. Add horns on top of the head. These horns should curve backward and follow the flow of the body. Keep them smooth and simple, not pointed.

7. Draw thin whiskers coming out from both sides of the snout. Let the whiskers flow outward with long, light curves so they look like they are moving with the wind.

8. Place short legs along the body. Asian dragons usually have four legs, but they are small compared to the long body. Each leg should bend slightly and end with simple claws.

9. Add details like scales by drawing small half-circle shapes along the body. Keep the scales neat and evenly spaced so the dragon looks clean and graceful.

10. Finish by adding a flowing tail tip, often shaped like a flame or soft cloud. Darken the main lines and carefully erase guide marks.

If you are just starting to learn how to draw a dragon, a cartoon version is the easiest and most fun way to begin. Cartoon dragons are friendly, simple, and do not require many details. Here's how to do it:

1. Draw a big round circle for the head near the top of your paper. Keep the shape smooth and even, as this will give the dragon a cute and friendly look.

2. Add a smaller oval under the head for the body. Do not make the body too long. A short body helps the cartoon dragon look simple and playful.

3. Connect the head and body with two short curved lines to form the neck. Keep the neck wide so the head does not look like it is floating.

4. Draw two small circles on the face for the eyes. Place them slightly apart so the face feels open and cheerful. Inside each eye, add a smaller circle to show light.

5. Add a tiny curved line under the eyes for a smiling mouth. You can also draw two small dots above the mouth to suggest a simple nose.

6. Draw two small horns on top of the head. Make them short and rounded instead of sharp so the dragon looks kind, not scary.

7. Add two simple wings on the back. Use curved lines and keep the wings small. The wings should look light and decorative, not strong or heavy.

8. Draw short legs under the body. Each leg can be made with simple straight or slightly curved lines. Add small feet with tiny toes.

9. Add a short tail at the back of the body. Let it curve gently upward or to the side to give the dragon a playful feeling.

10. Finish by outlining the drawing clearly and erasing extra sketch lines. You can add simple colors if you like, but keep the coloring clean and soft.

By practicing each style step by step, you can build confidence and enjoy learning how to draw a dragon in different ways.