Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Rottweiler" 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 rottweiler's body. The circles don't have to be perfect. They're just guides. Don't place the circles too far away, otherwise your rottweiler dog will end up too long. The circle on the left should be about half the size of the first one and should be placed a little lower.
Step 2: Draw a smaller square-like shape on the top right side as a guide for the rottweiler's head. Make the corners of the square a bit more round. The lower left corner should graze the main circle's edge.
Step 3: Draw two intersecting lines inside the head to help draw the rottweiler's facial features later on.
Step 4: Draw a small circle on the lower part of the head as a guide for the rottweiler's muzzle.
Step 5: Draw an angled line similar to a triangle on the left side of the head as a guide for the rottweiler's ear.
Step 6: Draw four lines under the rottweilers body (two below each circle) as guides for the legs. Bend the lines near the middle to indicate the joints and at the tips for the paws. Pay attention to the placement and length of these lines.
Step 7: Draw a series of curved lines that connect the major shapes to form the rottweiler's body.
That's it for the initial sketch! From this point on, press harder with your pencil to get a more defined sketch.
Step 8: Draw the rottweiler's eyes inside the head by using the lines as guides for placement. The shape of the eyes is similar to footballs. Sketch lightly at first to get the shape right. Draw a curved line over each eye for the rottweiler's eyelids. Add a small line in the eye for the actual eyeball. Draw a tiny circle inside each eye to represent glare. Add a dot in each eye for the pupils. Shade in the rest of the rottweiler's eye except for the tiny circle that represents glare. When shading the eyes, use a value that's lighter than the pupils.
Step 9: Draw the rottweiler's nose inside the muzzle by first lightly drawing an oval. Darken the top and sides of the oval to give the nose more structure. Draw a curved line on top and a short vertical line at the bottom. Add two shaded circles in the middle for the nostrils. Draw a couple of lines around the nostrils for extra detail and darken the rest of the lines a bit more.
Step 10: Draw the rest of the rottweiler's muzzle by using the initial small circle as a guide. The mouth consists of a wavy line under the nose. Notice that the ends of the mouth touch the sides of the small circle. Draw the loose skin and chin under the mouth using a series of curved lines. Use the right side of the small initial circle as a guide to draw the right side of the muzzle.
Step 11: Use the triangle-like shape on the rottweiler's head to draw the left ear. Simply darken the lines and make the shape curvier. Draw a line on the right side for the ear behind the head.
Step 12: Use the original square as a guide to draw the rest of the rottweiler's head. The line dips in a little in the middle at the top of the head and below the eye on the right. Use quick, short strokes as you draw the bottom of the rottweiler's head for a furry texture.
Step 13: Add a few more lines throughout the rottweiler's face for extra detail. Add a couple of lines between the eyes and a longer set of lines on the bottom left side for the jawline.
Step 14: Use the lines on the right as guides to draw the rottweiler's front legs and feet. Lightly sketch the shape of the first leg as you follow the path of the line. When you get the structure right, darken the lines. Draw a few curved lines at the end of the paw for the toes. Draw the front leg on the other side by using the other line as a guide. Draw it the same way by lightly sketching the shape first and only darkening the lines when you get the structure right.
Step 15: Now use the other lines as guides to draw the rottweiler's hind legs using the same technique. Follow the path of the guide line as you lightly sketch the first leg. The rottweiler's hind legs should be wider at the top than the front legs. Angle the leg more near the middle to indicate the joint. Draw the toes at the end of the paw. Draw the hind leg on the other side using the last line as a guide. Only darken the lines that make up the leg once you get the structure correct.
Step 16: Use the remaining lines as guides to draw the rest of the rottweiler's body. Draw a few curved lines along the neck to indicate the folds of skin. Rottweilers have smooth coats, so use clean lines instead of the usual quick, short strokes.
Step 17 (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. Re-draw any final sketch lines that you may have accidentally erased.
Final Step (optional): Add some shading to your rottweiler 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. Don't worry too much about the shading if you're also going to add more value to your rottweiler drawing.
Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the dog so it doesn't appear to be floating.
You can add more value throughout your rottweiler drawing for extra detail. The head is dark except for lighter patches on the muzzle, cheeks and above the eyes. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value. Add the value by using strokes that go in the general direction of the rottweiler's fur. Use a lighter value on a few parts of the body to represent the shine of the coat. The fur is also lighter on the neck, chest and the inside of the legs. If you have a rottweiler or a similar breed, try to duplicate its pattern on your drawing. It's always a good idea to use reference. Don't forget to pause the "How to Draw a Rottweiler" to draw at your own pace.
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