How to Draw a Tyrannosaurus Rex (Detailed & Perfected Guide)

Materials Needed: Pencil, eraser, paper, optional fine liner/shading tools.

1. Light Sketching & Basic Shapes

• Start Lightly: Use a hard pencil (e.g., 2H) to sketch faint lines for easy erasing.

• Basic Shapes:

  • Head: Draw a tilted oval for the skull.

  • Body: Use a large oval for the chest and a smaller one for the hips.

  • Tail: A long, tapering curve from the hips.

  • Limbs: Simple cylinders for arms and legs.

2. Stick Figure Posing

• Arms: Use the stick figure technique to pose the tiny arms. T. rex arms are short—bend one at the elbow for dynamism.

• Legs:

  • Near Leg: Draw a thick, bent leg with a raised foot (action pose).

  • Far Leg: Mirror the pose but slightly obscured by the body (perspective tip: lighter lines for distance).

3. Head Detailing

• Nose & Brow:

  • Round the snout and add bumps above the eyes (brow ridges) and along the nasal ridge for texture.

• Mouth:

  • Crooked Smile: Sketch a jagged “W” shape for the upper jaw, peaking at the nostrils, dipping at the mid-jaw, and rising again.

  • Teeth: Irregular, leaf-shaped teeth. Vary sizes—larger near the front, smaller toward the back. Add slight curves to mimic serrations.

4. Limbs & Claws

• Arms: Flesh out the stick arms with minimal muscle definition. Two claws per hand (T. rex had two fingers).

• Feet:

  • Closest Foot: Draw three curved claws. Start with the largest middle claw, then the side claws partially hidden behind it.

  • Knuckles: Add bumps and curves over the toes for realism.

5. Ground & Stance

• Ground Line: Sketch a faint horizontal line under the feet. Add cracks or rocks to imply weight.

• Balance: Ensure the center of gravity aligns over the feet (lean the body slightly forward for a charging pose).

6. Shading & Depth

• Light Source: Decide direction (e.g., top-left). Shade opposite sides (under the jaw, tail, and legs).

• Techniques:

  • Use hatching for rough skin texture.

  • Darken areas around the eyes, nostrils, and between teeth for contrast.

7. Final Touches

• Refine Lines: Trace over the final sketch with a softer pencil (2B) or pen. Erase guidelines.

• Optional: Add scales (small, irregular ovals) or scars for personality.

Pro Tip: Study fossil references for accuracy—especially the skull shape and posture (modern T. rex depictions avoid the old “tripod” stance).