Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Triceratops" video after each step to draw at your own pace.
For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.
Step 1: Draw two circles as guides for the triceratops' body. The circles don't have to be perfect. They're just guides. The circle on the left should be slightly bigger. The two circles should be right next to each other.
Step 1: Draw a circle that's about half the size of the first circle on the right side as a guide for the triceratops' head.
Step 3: Draw two intersecting lines inside the triceratops' head to help you place the facial features later on.
Step 4: Draw a U- shaped arc on the lower right side of the head as a guide for the triceratops' muzzle.
Step 5: Draw guides on the head for the frill and horns. First draw a wide arc that connects the original circle to the triceratops' head as a guide for the frill. Then draw two diagonal lines as guides for the triceratops' horns. The line on the head should be longer than the one on the muzzle.
Step 6: Draw four lines under the body (two below each large circle) as guides for the triceratops' legs. Bend the lines forward a bit. The lines in the back bend near the bottom. The line in the front bends at the top.
Step 7: Draw a series of curved lines that connect the major shapes to form the triceratops' body.
Step 8: Draw two curved lines that come to a point on the left side of the triceratops' body for the tail.
That's it for the initial sketch! From this point on, press harder with your pencil to get a more defined sketch.
Step 9: Draw the triceratops' eye inside the head using the lines as guides for placement. The shape of the triceratops' eye is similar to a football. Draw a circle inside of it for the eyeball. Shade the eyeball except for a tiny circle to represent glare. Draw a few curved lines above the eye for the brow and more lines under it for extra detail.
Step 10: Use the initial arc as a guide to draw the triceratops' muzzle. The end of the muzzle should come to a point to form the beak-like mouth. Draw a few small lines above the triceratops' beak for extra detail. Draw a couple of curved lines above the beak for the nostrils.
Step 11: Use the initial line as a guide to draw the top horns. The base of the horn should start above the eye. Curve the horn a bit for a more organic feel. Have the triceratops' horn come to a point and make it thin. The top horns were about 3 feet long! Draw the horn on the other side, too. Use the first horn as a template to make them similar.
Step 12: Use the small line as a guide to draw the horn above the nose. Draw a few lines within the horn for extra detail.
Step 13: Use the arc above the triceratops' head as a guide to draw the frill. Extend the arc for the frill to the lower left side of the head. Draw the line lightly. Follow the line and add tiny triangle-like shapes all around to form the bony part of the frill called the epoccipitals. For a simpler version, you can omit the epoccipitals and make the rear of the skull flat.
Step 14: Use the initial circle and arc as guides to draw the rest of the head. Draw another horn-like protrusion on the lower left side of the triceratops' head and add a few lines within it for extra detail.
Step 15: Using the lines as guides, draw the triceratops' front legs. Draw lightly at first to get the structure right. When you're happy with what you have, go ahead and darken it. Draw a few curved lines at the top of the limb to indicate the creases on the skin. Bend the triceratops' foot at the joint. Draw the toes at the bottom using a few curved lines. Add a small hoof at the end of each toe. Draw the leg on the other side the same way. Draw lightly at first to get the structure right, then darken it. Don't forget the toes!
Step 16: Now use the other lines as guides to draw the triceratops' hind legs. Remember to sketch lightly at first. The hind legs are a lot bigger than the front legs. Draw the leg wider on top and narrow at the bottom. Bend the leg at the joint and draw a few bumps below the joint for the muscular structure. Draw the toes at the bottom. The fourth toe is hidden from view. Draw the leg on the other side using the same technique.
Step 17: Draw the rest of the triceratops' body by using the lines as guides. Draw a few bumps throughout the skin for a rougher look as you darken the guide lines.
Step 18 (optional): For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of them. It's okay to leave some behind. Also re-draw any final sketch lines that you may have accidentally erased.
Final Step (optional): Add some shading to your drawing to give it more dimension and volume. Pick the direction of the light source when shading so that the shadows are consistent with it. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value. Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the triceratops so it doesn't appear to be floating.
You can add more value throughout your triceratops drawing for extra detail. Nobody is exactly sure as to what a triceratops looked like, so this part is up to you! Add spots or patches or even stripes! If you want this look, add a solid value first. Then draw random squiggly lines all over that resemble spots. You can PAUSE the video to use this drawing as reference and at any other time you need help.
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