Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Chinese Dragon" video after each step to draw at your own pace.

Time-Lapse (Speed Drawing) video:

Written step-by-step video tutorial:

For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.

Step 1: Draw a circle on the top, left side as a guide for the Chinese dragon's head. First draw four small marks to indicate the height and width of the circle, then connect the marks using curved lines. Sketch lightly at first so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake. But the circle doesn't have to be perfect. It's just a guide. If you do want a perfect circle, trace the outer rim of a coin, a button or any other object with a circular edge.

Step 2: Draw a curved horizontal line across the head. This is a construction line that will help you place the Chinese dragon's facial features later. Add a curved vertical line on the top left side of the head for another construction line.

Step 3: Draw a curved line similar to the letter C on the left side of the Chinese dragon's head as a guide for the top jaw. Extend the lower end of the C-shaped guide so that it touches the horizontal construction line inside the head. Draw another curved line on the lower left side of the head as a guide for the lower jaw.

Step 4: Draw another circle below the head and to the right as a guide for the front part of the body. This circle should be about the same size as the head. The farther away this circle is from the head, the longer the neck will be. Add another circle on the top, right side as a guide for the lower half of the body. These circles will determine the shape and curvature of the body. Chinese dragons are mythical creatures, so you can spread these circles farther apart to make your dragon longer if you'd like.

Step 5: Draw a series of lines that connect the major shapes to form the rest of the Chinese dragon's body. First draw two curved lines that start on the right side of the head and end on top of the circle below for the neck. Then draw two more lines that connect the circles in the middle to form the shape of the torso. Curve these connecting lines to give the dragon a wavy, serpent-like torso.