How To Draw Snake Skin Pattern

Learn the geometry of snake scales to assist you sketch in the field.

Don't drive yourself nuts trying to re-create every scale exactly. Yous can suggest scales with the X technique (demonstrated below), add together a few details and you are good.

Depict an x pattern over the dorsum of the serpent. Each of the scales volition fit into one of the spaces between the lines. The trunk scales of the Band-necked Snake below are simply an X hatch overpainted with watercolor and piffling highlights added on each scale with a white colored pencil. The event is disarming and fast.

X hatch lines are ofttimes at an oblique angle forming small diamonds instead of squares.

scale rows b — Flattened department of snake peel showing rows of shingle-similar back scales and long belly scales (scutes).

10 hatch scales turn to interlocking South curves when they foreshorten and wrap around a cylinder. However, many snakes are more triangular than round in cross-section and the scutes or belly scales interrupt the S pattern on the bottom of the body. However, yous often see a subtle deflection of the hatch lines every bit they approach the back. You can also just terminate the X blueprint just short of the edge as the foreshortened scales are more difficult to see.

Some snakes are relatively triangular in cross section.

Snakes have broad scales or scutes across their bellies. This interrupts the S curve on the underside. The triangular body shape reduces the S curve defection on the top.

Notation how the scales fit into the scutes on the underside of the snake.

Having realistic expectations of what you tin can get in the field will assistance yous work more efficiently and be happier with what you do. The snake heads on this page are scientific illustrations. They were drawn over several days with extensive reference material and a comfy chair. In contrast, the studies beneath, showing the body colors and patterns from the dorsal line to the scutes, took just minutes to complete and convey lots of information about patterns on the snakes. This is a great approach for field sketching.

My favorite website for reference textile is California Herps. I am grateful to Gary Nafis for letting me apply some of his photographs for reference and step-by-stride tutorials.