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Dragon Anatomy and Muscular Structure
By  Renee LeCompte *Maggock*
So, you clicked on this link, you must want to know about a dragon's
muscular structure? Now, before I get started, I want to say one
thing. Since dragons are open to many interpretations, and look wildly
different at times, this guide may or may not be for you. I attempt to
break down the anatomy of the classical western dragon in such a way that it
might conceivably be able to function. I also know I'm no animal anatomy
major, heck, I'm justa kid! So my illustrations may not be entirely
accurate or even possible. But I tried, and I looked at more than a few books for
references, and I hope I have something that will help a few people. This
also is not exactly an article for beginners. I don't say 'this is how you
draw a dragon'. I don't give very many directions at all! But if you
have any basic knowledge on drawing dragons, this should help!
What is a Classical Dragon?
| What?!? You don't
know what a classical western dragon is? Put simply, it is a scaled
reptilian like beast generally seen with two forelegs, two wings, and two
hind legs. A perfect example (and what I used as a model) would be
Draco from Dragonheart. What!!? You haven't seen Dragonheart?!?
Then get ye gone, foul -- I mean, I've graciously provided a picture for
you to view. As you can see, he has all the characteristics of the
classical dragon.
(If you want to see more Draco pictures, go here!) |
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From the Inside Out
The best way to figure out the anatomy of any creature
is to work from the inside out. That is, from the skeleton to the muscles
to the skin. Below is a skeletal system, modeled from a cheetah, giraffe,
and various birds. You can click on any picture to enlarge it.
The Skull and Neck
As you can see, I've included both a long and short neck version
of the dragon, mostly because the muscular structure of the two is vastly
different. Since I based my dragon skeleton on that of a mammal, the neck
only has seven vertebrae, no matter what the length. The teeth in this
picture are also mammalian teeth.
Front and Back
| The front end, I suppose what
many people would call the tough area, because it contains the area of
anatomy for which there is no earthly equivalent. If you would keep
in mind for a minute the immense breast muscles on a bird, you'll realize
the configuration to the right is impossible. There is barely any
room at all for the flight muscles. the configuration below (in my
opinion anyway) is much more accurate. |
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As you can see, I completely separated the flight bones from the foreleg
bones to allow for the largest possible flight muscles. The front section
is modeled after a light agile cheetah (though the dragon would theoretically
have hollow bones to allow for less weight). The back section is modeled
after a hawk. I found it impossible to combine the two sections as each
bone is necessary for the operation of the different muscles. For example,
the large flight muscles need both the wishbone and keel for anchorage. The back end of
the dragon was a fairly simple thing to figure out, since it is not exceptionally
different like the front end. It is essentially the hind end of a cheetah
with a slightly modified tail.
Wings
The wings were not too difficult to figure out either.
There are two types though, a bat wing and a bird wing. (Note that the fingers
are cut off in the bat wing) Each different type of wing has its own
strengths and weaknesses. I neglected to illustrate a pterosaur wing,
mostly because it is rarely drawn on a dragon. Wings are also mostly bony,
not overly many muscles on them, so I didn't draw musculature studies for them.
Fleshing out the Beast
The Skull and Neck (Once again)
The skull, as you can see, has powerful muscles
surrounding the jaw, giving the dragon an immensely powerful bite. If you
will notice, I also drew these two dragons with reptilian teeth. The neck
of the short dragon is based on that of a cheetah, once again. The
muscular structure of the long necked dragon was a bit more difficult. I
decided to base it on that of a giraffe (though now I think I should have based
it on a snake!).
Back and Front
Once again, the front end of the dragon was quite
a bit more difficult to create than the back end. It required both the
combination of cheetah and hawk muscles. The result is quite complex, so I
highly recommend clicking on the image to view the larger version. The
dragon does not have a lot of flexible toward the flight muscles, because to the
necessary rigidity of the spinal column. The back end of the dragon, once
again, is modeled directly from a cheetah with only slight modifications in the
tail. You can actually see some of the muscles on the wings in this
picture too.
The Last Step (Skin)
| Skin is essentially a thin, well, skin over
the muscles. Be sure not to make your dragon overly muscled.
Good reference pictures to look at would be, of course Draco, or my own
musculature studies. Another good artist to study from would be Martin
Knuth. He has excellent knowledge of both draconian and
gryphon anatomy.
These musculature studies can be used for dragons, gryphons, even
humanoid creatures with wings, with a sufficient amount of modification. Another
good article on the anatomy of dragons can be found here. |
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A Few More Thoughts...
Okay, this little section is really getting into my own
thoughts and ramblings.... Now, obviously even with the large flight
muscles, this dragon could not conceivably be able to fly. It needs even
larger flight muscles, wings, and less mass in order to do so. So, my
challenge to you is to make a unique dragon that would be able to fly (or
glide) After a length of thought, I came up with my own. It is still
a uniquely different creature, and still large and powerful, but I think it
could fly. It does not have any hind legs, because I don't think that they
are really essential to the dragon. So what do you think? Have any
better ideas? Let me know! :)
FARP Article Guestbook
| Date | Name | Comment | | | 2 Apr 2008 |  Dragon drawer | I love dragons and I wish they were real too! And I agree with dragon girl, that dragons were once real as it says ( or at least seems like it is discribing a dragon ) in the bible. I love to draw dragons but I am still very yong ( like VERY yong ) and not trying to brag but my drawings are Amazing for my age ( Not as good as the guy who drew the one with no hind legs( and I think that dragons should have hind legs and a dragon with hind legs and wings only is called a Wyvern) so I am going to take lessons soon.  | |
| 2 Apr 2008 | Dragon drawer | By the way I am not the first dragon drawer that said he/she wanted to turn into one(like I do too but dos’nt everyone?!?!). | |
| 4 Apr 2008 | DragonRider | I’ve always wanted to turn into a dragon. Yes I draw them, but not as much as I used to. I need to start that up again. | |
| 4 Apr 2008 | DragonRider | It actually describes a seven-headed dragon in the Bible, but that was a vision forseen by John about the Final Coming of Jesus Christ. | |
| 18 Apr 2008 | Eragon | curious...My thoughts would be that eben though your explanation on how dragons cant fly and other tales about how they can...I just wanted to impose my opinion by saying that i believe they could fly maybe not that long but probably a good distance to avoid danger like turkeys can...I dont think that a creature this great would be given wings for no purpose except to use then as a shield to yield people away. | |
| 21 Apr 2008 | Dragon Rider | taking into consideration your point of veiw i do think that dragons need back legs. it think that they don’t need front legs. after all, if you putclaws on the end of the dragon wings and remove the front legs it has a realistic anatomy. whereas, if it did not have back legs how could it walk, stand on it’s back legs etc. (if i list them all i’ll be here all day). i mean, no offence or anything but it’s just not anatomicaly correct. | |
| 23 Apr 2008 | Blk Dragon | hello.... your tutorial helped me alot in my drawings, could you maybe show or tell me how to
draw eastern dragons? you know like haku from ( spirited away ). | |
| 30 Apr 2008 |  Adriel elizabeth gossett | thanks!i stink at dragons and this helps a ton! | |
| 3 May 2008 |  Dark Lord Night | it helps me to
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| 3 May 2008 | Claer | Thank you! You just reminded me on something rather important, to create a monster, you need to know how it is made, and this can be done with reference to live specimens. Thanks again for the help! | |
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| |  | Cheetahs (Zoobooks Series) by Wildlife Education Ltd Staff
Actually, I recommend looking at any Zoobook! They have wonderful skeleton and musculature drawing of the animal, and they're quite cheap, when compared to other books. |
| |  | Eagles (Zoobooks)
Another Zoobook, this one covering the eagle. I love these books! |
| |  | Ostriches and Other Ratities (Zoobooks)
Okay one more Zoobook, this one on Ostriches! |
| |  | Eyewitness: Eagles & Birds of Prey
I have to admit, childrens books seem to be your best bet for nice musculature studies. This particular book goes quite a bit more in depth than the Zoobook on eagles. |
| |  | Eyewitness: Cat
Same story. This goes more in depth than the Zoobook on cheetahs. Also quit interesting to read! |  |
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