GRID STEP. You can print out the base construction lines and start drawing on tracing paper, or you can draw the grid layout yourself using the following steps.1) Draw a rectangle that will define the conditional proportions and boundaries of the chosen drawing. 2) From the middle of the rectangle, draw one vertical and one horizontal line equally dividing the shape. 3) Draw another horizontal line equally dividing the upper half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a horizontal line equally dividing the bottom half of the rectangle. 4) Draw a vertical line equally dividing the left half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a vertical line equally dividing the right half of the rectangle.

STEP 1. Mark off the width and height of the Chinese black dragon. Draw the shape of its head. Add a guideline for its body.

STEP 2. Draw the body shape and the lower jaw.

STEP 3. Define the places for the dragon’s legs, tail spikes and mane.

STEP 4. Sketch the legs. Detail the head. Draw a line to define the height of the spine spikes.

STEP 5. Draw the toes, tail spikes and mane of the Chinese black dragon. Add guidelines for its eyebrows, mustaches and mouth.

STEP 6. Detail the legs, mane and mustaches. Draw the eyes and claws.

STEP 7. Work on the figure, paying special attention to detail.

STEP 8. Contour the Chinese black dragon, trying to vary the thickness and darkness of the line. Add more detail to the clouds. Erase all guidelines.