You know how wizards have to choose their magical familiars? Some go for sleek black cats, others end up with owls that silently judge them from atop dusty bookshelves. Me? I’m here to talk about frogs.
Yes. Frogs. Stay with me.
Let’s say you’ve decided to draw a frog. Maybe you’re starting a new sketchbook. Maybe you’re crafting a whimsical sticker sheet. Maybe your soul simply whispered, “Today is a frog day.” Either way, you sit down, pencil in hand, and… nothing.
Unless you’re a herpetologist or you’ve got a real frog lounging glamorously on a lily pad in your living room (if so, please send pics), you’re probably going to need a reference. No shame in that. Every artist needs a jumping-off point. Pun 100% intended.
First stop: real frogs. Look up some photos. Not only will you be amazed at how weirdly majestic they are, but you’ll also get a crash course in frog anatomy. Did you know some frogs basically have little jazz hands? It’s true. Nature is incredible.
Now, if realism isn’t your vibe—or if your frog came out looking like a lumpy meatball with legs (relatable)—head over to Pinterest and search “frog drawing.” You will enter a magical swamp of artistic possibilities. Tiny frogs, sassy frogs, wizard frogs, frogs wearing sweaters. Frogs with the eyes of a wise old soul. Frogs with the energy of a caffeine-fueled toddler.
This is where the fun begins. Look at what other artists are doing. How are they stretching the shapes? Shrinking the legs? Giving the frog one tooth? (Important design choice.) Are they using bold lines or soft watercolors? A muted palette or rainbow chaos?
Ask yourself: What kind of frog feels right for me?
Because here’s the thing—they’re all frogs, but none of them are the same frog.
Play around. Mix and match. Give your frog a monocle. Or a sword. Or a tiny crown because he is, in fact, Frog Royalty™. Try five different styles, even if the first four look like cursed potatoes. Style is found in the weird, wonderful middle of experimenting and messing up.
Finding your style isn’t about landing on the one right way. It’s about discovering what makes you smile when you look at your frog and say, “Yes. That’s my frog.”
And once you’ve got your frog, you can move on to drawing literally anything else. But you probably won’t. Because frogs are addictive.
Hop to it. 🐸✨
