How to Draw a Wolf Step by Step

Do you want to draw a beautiful, realistic wolf? In this tutorial I'll show you how to draw a realistic wolf step by step, without any reference. You'll learn how to plan the pose, how to add the body, how to create the correct proportions of the head, and how to cover it all with fur. You can use any tools you want!

This realistic wolf drawing can inspire you to create unique wolf logos. Or maybe you've got a gaming team in need of a fresh new logo. In that case, you can use Placeit's logo maker to easily create a wolf logo from your browser. Scroll down after this wolf drawing tutorial to find some cool wolf logo inspiration.

What You'll Learn in This Wolf Drawing Tutorial

• How to start drawing a wolf
• How to draw a wolf's body
• How to draw a wolf's head
• How to draw a wolf's paws
• How to finish a drawing of a wolf

Before You Start

To get in the right mood for drawing wolves and to remind yourself what the goal is, first take a look at some wolf photos:

• Wolf in the snow 
• Smiling wolf 
• Wolf walking

1. How to Start Drawing a Wolf

Step 1

Let's start this wolf drawing step-by-step tutorial. When you want to draw something from scratch, it's very important to create a base first. This way, it will be easier to keep the correct proportions and pose during the process. Such a base may take the form of a very simple sketch, a shadow of the final drawing you have in mind.

Step 2

Let's build the basic skeleton for this sketch now. First, the chest.

Step 3

Draw the back and turn gently to create the outline of the fluffy rump.

Step 4

Add the shoulder blade in the front.

Step 5

Correct proportions are very important if you want to draw a specific animal. Wolves have long legs, so the distance between the chest and the ground should be slightly longer than the height of the chest.

Step 6

Once you have the ground established, you can build the limbs out of simple lines:

Step 7

The other pair of limbs must have the same proportions, even if they have a different position. To achieve this, create curvy paths across the joints.

Step 8

The joints of the other pair of limbs must follow these paths.

Step 9

Add the general shape of the head.

Step 10

Add the neck and the tail in a typical wolf position.

2. How to Draw a Wolf's Body

Step 1

Next in this wolf drawing step-by-step tutorial: add some body to this skeleton. First, the big muscle mass of the arm: the biceps and triceps.

Step 2

Add the mass of the shoulder above it.

Step 3

Close the shape of this mass with a gentle curve.

Step 4

The shoulders seem to be slightly rotated, so we should see another one, too.

Step 5

Draw an oval in place of the thigh. No muscles needed—they would be covered with fluff anyway!

Step 6

Connect the thigh with the hips.

Step 7

Give a special, detailed shape to the wrist and ankle joints.

Step 8

Time for the paws. Wolves have them quite big and flat.

Step 9

The upper part ("hands" and feet) should be slim, because they're not very furry.

Step 10

Add some muscle mass between the upper body and the paws.

Step 11

Some more details will be useful here.

Step 12

Finish the outline around these simple shapes to create a nice outline of the limbs.

Step 13

Outline the main body, too.

3. How to Draw a Wolf's Head

Step 1

The proportions of the head are even more important than those of the body, because we're very good at recognizing faces. We have a clear image of a wolf's face in our mind, and the drawing must match it! Let's add the details of the head carefully then.

Draw a cross on the head to show the middle and the eyebrow line.

Step 2

Draw a teardrop shape under the eyebrow line for the muzzle.

Step 3

Mark the front of the muzzle. This will add a little perspective.

Step 4

Put "upside-down glasses" on top of the wolf's nose. This will be the space for the eyes.

Step 5

Draw the nasal bridge.

Step 6

Draw the forehead.

Step 7

Draw the ears behind the eyes. They're long, with rounded tips.

Step 8

Draw the nose.

Step 9

Draw the circular eyes.

Step 10

Draw the mouth.

Step 11

The eyes need some more details to be fully wolf-like:

Step 12

Add more detail to the nose as well.

Step 13

Give a detailed shape to the ears.

Step 14

Don't forget about the fur! It really adds to the wolf's head shape.

Step 15

Add fur to other places, too.

4. How to Draw a Wolf's Paws

Step 1

Next in the wolf drawing step-by-step guide: paw detailing. We already have the base for the paws, so now we need to add the details. First, draw the middle toe (there are two toes in the middle, but in this perspective only one is visible).

Step 2

Draw the outer toes. In wolves, the middle toes are visibly longer than the outer ones.

Step 3

Connect them with the rest of the limb, creating a little hump right before the toes. This will give them a more accurate look.

Step 4

Draw the paw pads.

Step 5

Draw the claws. They're long, slightly curved, and blunt.

Step 6

Draw the back of each paw with the big pad beneath.

Step 7

That third paw is in perspective, so it needs a different treatment. Draw all the toes...

... then the paw pads...

... and the claws.

Step 8

There are special "wrist pads" on the front legs as well, and dew claws (thumb claws) which are not visible in this pose.

5. How to Finish a Drawing of a Wolf

Step 1

The guide lines are all drawn, and we can create the final lines now. If you've been drawing traditionally, you can use a darker tool for this final outline, or put a new sheet of paper over the sketch.

Outline the nose.

Step 2

Outline the eyes.

Step 3

The eyes get their special wolf expression mainly from the details around them.

Step 4

Draw the muzzle.

Step 5

Draw the ears.

Step 6

Outline the fur around the face. Don't try to draw all the single hairs—instead, focus on the clumps and tufts.

Step 7

Outline the paws.

Step 8

Outline the feet. Can you see how the guide lines can be used to create additional detail?

Step 9

Cover the neck with fur.

Step 10

The forelegs are skinny, so we need to add more details to them.

Step 11

Add the fluff on the thigh...

... and the belly.

Step 12

Add some fur here and there.

Step 13

When you're done, darken the outer outline and thicken some lines to give them variety.

Good Job! Your Wolf Drawing is Complete!

You've learned how to draw a realistic wolf step by step! Now it's your turn to put into practice what you just learned in this complete tutorial.

5 Top Gaming Wolf Logos From Placeit's Logo Maker

Now you know how to draw a wolf step by step. Realistic wolf drawing can be the base of awesome wolf logos. If you're looking for gaming wolf logos for your team, we've got you covered as well.

If you want to easily and quickly make a wolf logo, then Placeit is your best bet. This service helps you make a wolf logo right in your browser, without needing design software.

You just need to visit Placeit's logo maker, choose the wolf logo you like the most, customize it in minutes, and download a high-resolution logo.

Placeit also helps you make all kinds of logos, gaming templates, product mockups, and more. Here we've selected five cool wolf logos to get you inspired:

1. Red Wolf Logo Featuring an Aggressive Wild Wolf

Take a look at this awesome red wolf logo featuring an angry wolf graphic. This is perfect for a gaming team. You can customize the colors, text, and other elements in Placeit.

2. Wolf Gaming Logo Featuring a Lonely Wolf Clipart

This cool wolf logo features a wolf in a threatening position. Surprise everyone in your gaming leagues with this fully customizable gaming wolf logo.

3. Cool Wolf Logo Featuring an Abstract Wolf Graphic

Fan of modern and abstract designs? This cool wolf logo is for you. It features a sleek wolf gaming logo that will grab everyone's attention.

4. Wolf Gaming Logo for a Sports Team with a Wolf Mascot

Do you like a wolf logo featuring a full body rather than just the head? Placeit has plenty of cool wolf logos to choose from. This gaming wolf logo could be a good option for you.

5. Gaming Wolf Logo Featuring a Wild Wolf Illustration

This red wolf logo makes a statement. If you want to portray an aggressive and fierce look with your logo, this is the design for you. Customize it to your liking in Placeit!

Discover More Drawing Inspiration

I hope you've enjoyed this complete wolf drawing step-by-step tutorial. Now, if you want to keep drawing, don't forget to check these out:

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Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Maria Villanueva. Maria is the Associate Editor of the Tuts+ Design channel.