How to draw snake scales

These are work in progress shots from one of my original pieces showing how l worked the scales. This is a Bush Viper and they have very striking scales, l will be doing a step by step guide to the smoother type of scale in the future. I didn't use any thinner or blenders on these scales just lots of color layers. You can see that l have begun with an outline showing where all the scales are. For this piece l chose to work on a grey Crescent mixed media board, choosing grey because l knew that it would be much easier if white would show up as l wanted to put white down first.

ln this first shot l have marked out on my line drawing in white where l want the highlights to be. I look very carefully at my reference photo here to make sure that the highlights and especially the ridge in the centre of each scale have is in the right place and going in the right direction. I use either Caran D'Ache Pablos white or Caran D'Ache Supracolor white for this, either is good whichever l happen to pick up.

Here in the second shot l have used just two colours, Caran D'Ache Pablos in Bluish Pale and Olive Yellow. Looking carefully again at my reference photo l pick out the main areas of color on each scale. It is tempting to just draw splodges, but actually taking the time to do this adds to the realism and captures just how unique and individual each scale is.

ln the third photo here l have started to build the colors in the scales. I am using Caran D'Ache Pablos in Olive, Green Olive and Greyish black (that one is to begin the darker shadows and lines) and Prismacolor Premieres in Jasmin and Turquoise Doux. Again l am checking with my reference photo to build colors in the right places.l have also gone over most of the white highlights from before with color, but you can see that they still stand out.

Here in the fourth photo l am really working to create depth and a realistic look. I am scrutinising the reference photo for every color l can see. I add Caran D'Ache Pablos in Light Olive, Light Green, Olive and Olive Black and Prismacolors in Mediterranean Blue, Jade Green and Muted Turquoise. I use the darker colors here to work around each central spine so that an illusion of depth is created.

For the fifth photo l am really trying to build depth so l add in darker colors to create the shadows and pull in yet more shades of blues and greens to add realism. The darker colours l use here are all Caran D'Ache Pablos in Charcoal Grey, Greyish Blackand Olive Black, whilst l add flecks and speckles of Prismacolors in Marine Green and Periwinkle. I will work over these scales again before the piece is finished adding more shadows, colors and highlights. By this time the board is saturated with colour and the beautiful burnished sheen is easy to see.

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