How to Draw Scales

Learn how to draw a great looking Scales with easy, step-by-step drawing instructions, and video tutorial.

By following the simple steps, you too can easily draw a perfect Scales.

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing Scales

How to Draw a Great Looking Scales for Kids and Beginners - Step 1

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 1

1. Begin the scales outline by drawing straight, diagonal guidelines. The lines should be parallel to one another.

Easy Scales Drawing - Step 2

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 2

2. Next, draw straight, parallel lines that follow the opposite diagonal. Combined with the previous lines, they should form perfect squares, meeting at perpendicular right angles. This checkerboard pattern will help you draw the scales.

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Easy Scales Drawing - Step 3

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 3

3. Using the checkerboard as a guide, begin drawing the "U" shaped overlapping scales. The bottom of each "U" should be located at a point of a square.

Easy Scales Drawing - Step 4

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 4

4. Draw a third row of scales, again using the points of the squares to keep the scales in line and pointed in the same direction. Erase the guidelines from the existing scales.

Easy Scales Drawing - Step 5

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 5

5. Begin the fourth row of "U" shaped scales. Erase the guidelines from the existing scales.

Easy Scales Drawing - Step 6

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 6

6. Draw the final "U" shaped scale on the fourth row, and then begin the scales of the fifth row. Erase the guidelines from the existing scales.

Easy Scales Drawing - Step 7

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 7

7. Draw another scale on the fifth row, then begin drawing the "U" shaped scales of the sixth row. As you can see, you can continue the pattern in almost any order, so long as the new "U" shaped scale can connect to the "U" shaped scales above it.

This helps convey the idea that the scales are overlapping. Erase the guidelines from the existing scales.

Add More Details to Your Scales Picture - Step 8

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 8

8. Continue to draw the scales of the sixth row. Then, draw the first "U" shaped scale of the seventh row. Erase the guidelines from the existing scales.

Complete the Outline of Your Scales Drawing - Step 9

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 9

9. Finish drawing "U" shaped scales over the square guidelines. Then erase any remaining guidelines to finish your drawing.

Color Your Scales Drawing

Scales step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 11

Your scales outline is now complete. You can color the scales to match the overall color of whatever scaly beast - reptile, fish, dragon, or dinosaur - that you are drawing.

For more great bird drawing tutorials, see the collection of How to Draw Birds for Kids.

Easy, step by step Scales drawing tutorial
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Learn More About The Scales Drawing

If you like drawing animals, you will become familiar with lots of animal textures - fur, feathers, and scales. This easy, step-by-step scales drawing guide focuses on one of these.

Scales are tiny plates or shields on the skin of some animals. Some are rounded like the ones in this guide, but others are geometrical and pointed.

Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.

After you've mastered this drawing guide, you can put your new skills to the test. You can sketch the scaly texture of this snake head drawing or this lizard drawing.

Then, take a deep dive and sketch the overlapping scales of this koi fish drawing.

For more easy and fun guides, see the How to Draw a Heron or Magpie Drawing tutorials.

Scales Drawing Tutorial - Easy & Fun Printable Pages

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