How to Draw a Dream Catcher
What is a dream catcher? In some Native American cultures, especially the Ojibwa people and neighboring nations, the dreamcatcher is considered a protective charm often hung over babies’ cribs. Legend has it that Asibikaashi, the Spider Woman, was a protector of the Ojibwa Nation, especially her children. As people multiplied and spread across the land, Asibikaashi couldn’t be everywhere at once to protect everyone.
In her absence, mothers and grandmothers made spider webs from plant fibers or animal tendons, supported by hoops of willow wood, and hung them over children’s cradles. Earrings were often decorated with other sacred objects, such as beads and feathers. According to ethnographer Frances Densmore, “they were said to ‘catch whatever damage might be in the air like a spider’s web catches and holds everything it comes in contact with.'”
Today many “new age” artists create and sell dream catchers. However, many Native Americans consider this an offensive misappropriation of their religious article. Would you enjoy drawing a dream catcher? It is similar to a mandala for beginners. This easy step-by-step drawing tutorial will show you how to do it. All you will need is a writing instrument, such as a pen or pencil, and a sheet of paper. You may want to use crayons, paints, colored pencils, or markers to shade the finished drawing.
Also read: home drawing
Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Dream Catcher.
Step 1
Start by drawing two hoops, one inside the further. This will form the ring of the dream catcher, usually made of wood.
Step 2
Start drawing the flower-shaped design in the center of the dream catcher. For each “petal,” use two curved lines. Circle a pointy shape on both ends, with a dot in the middle of the circle and a dot on the edge of the hoop. Repeat until you have completed half of the floral design.
Step 3
Complete the floral design. Continue enclosing pointed shapes, using two curved lines for each.
Step 4
Draw the decorations for the dream catchers. From each side of the hoop, several sets of long, curved lines varying each length and pattern. From the bottom of the hoop, extend a set of curved lines. Retain the lines by drawing three little circles at the base. These circles represent beads that decorate the dream catcher.
Step 5
Draw feathers hanging from the dream catcher. Enclose the strands with circular beads. Below the beads, draw a long, curved line to form the central vein of the feather. For the sides of the feather, use short, curved connecting lines that meet at jagged points. Enclose the feather allowing these compound lines to meet at a sharp point beyond the end of the vein. Repeat to form a second feather.
Step 6
Draw a third feather hanging from the central ribbon. Again, draw a long, curved line for the feather vein and outline the feather using compound lines with irregular dots. Draw another string of beads extending from the hoop, using pairs of parallel curved lines and circles as beads. Add drips to the ends of the different ribbons as well. If you liked this tutorial also the following drawing guides.
Step 7
Texture the hoop. Draw lots of diagonal curved lines across it.
Step 8
Draw more ribbons hanging from the hoop. Use long, winding lines that meet at sharp points at the end for each one.
Step 9
Add more beads to the ribbons. Draw another small feather, using a long, curved line for the vein and rough lines for the system. Texture the feathers by drawing short, curved lines from the vein.
