How to Draw a Griffin

Many people find learning how to draw a griffin more difficult than drawing an ordinary animal because two different creatures have to work together in a single body.

The drawing looks much more convincing when you think of it as one animal from the beginning instead of drawing an eagle first and a lion afterward.

Now let’s see how that idea works on paper.

How to Draw a Griffin Step by Step

Step 1: Sketch the Griffin’s Basic Shapes

First, draw three circles of different sizes to mark the position of the griffin’s head, chest, and rear torso. Place them along a gently curved line.

Step 2: Outline the mythical creature’s torso

Connect the circles with curved lines to outline the torso. Use several short strokes to draw the feathered neck and join it smoothly to the head and chest.

Step 3: Add the head details

Draw the brow ridge with a curved line, then add several short strokes along the back of the head to suggest feathers. Finish this part by adding a small eye.

Step 4: Draw the griffins’ beak

Outline the large upper part of the beak with a pointed, hooked tip. Add the smaller lower section beneath it, similar to the shape used when you draw an eagle’s head.

Step 5: Outline the front legs

In the middle of the body, draw the upper sections of the front legs. Use short, uneven strokes along their outer edges to depict the feathered plumage.

Step 6: Add the talons and claws

Draw the narrow lower sections of the front legs and add long toes. Finish each toe with a sharp curved claw to form the griffin’s eagle-like talons.

Step 7: Sketch the griffin’s hind legs

Sketch the powerful hind legs beneath the rear of the torso. Position the farther leg slightly behind the body, while placing the nearer leg closer to the viewer.

Step 8: Draw the griffin’s hind paws

At the bottom of each hind leg, draw a broad paw with several short toes. Add a small pointed claw to the end of each toe.

Step 9: Add the large bird wings

Draw two large wings rising from the griffin’s back. Outline their long outer edges and pointed tips, using the same basic shape as when drawing bird wings.

Step 10: Detail the wing feathers

Cover the surface of each wing with rows of short, thin strokes. Use longer pointed shapes along the lower edges to draw the flight feathers.

Step 11: Draw the lion-like tail

Draw the griffin’s long, thin tail extending from the rear of the body. Add a pointed tuft at the end so it resembles the tail seen when you draw a lion.

Step 12: Erase the construction lines

Use an eraser to remove the circles and other construction lines from the griffin drawing. Darken the remaining contours and clean up any uneven marks.

Step 13: Color the complete griffin drawing

Color the lion-like torso and hind legs brown. Use yellow for the head, beak, front legs, and wings, then add darker brown to the wing feathers and tail tuft.

More About Draw a Griffin and Other Fantasy Creatures

You can also make your griffin look different without changing the main outlines. Try to color the fantasy creature in a different color or add more detailed feather texture.

Another option is to change the head and body shapes. You could draw a beak of a different shape or add ears.

The wings are one of the most eye-catching parts of a griffin. If you’d like to get more comfortable, check out our guide on how to draw wings.

Want to draw another legendary creature? Next, try learning how to draw a phoenix or how to draw a dragon.