Hi there! You must want to draw a hyena, since that is the title. Let's get started!
1. ReferencesReferences are quite simple, it's just looking at pictures, or of the real thing in real life!
2. Anatomy
The "NO" one triggers me so much. Hyenas aren't just wolves with spots! Or dogs with spots! In fact, they're in their own family, and are closer to cats and mongooses!
So if you want to draw hyenas, please, PLEASE, steer clear of the "hyena" on the left side.
Now, here's the basic shape of these fellows, Rufus right here will be showing you the different types! Currently right now, he is your average spotted hyena.
Spotted Hyena
These are most well known hyenas. They are great hunters and scavengers! There is an outdated myth that males are mistreated and they are divided by gender, sadly that myth is very widespread. And males are actually treated well but nobody really bothers to listen to that. Their cubs are born spotless and dark brown, and are moving and chomping already!
Striped hyena
This is a striped hyena! They're nose shape is different, and they have lots of fluff. If you think that's fluffy wait until you see the brown hyena. These hyenas are also more of scavengers but can still has a powerful bite! Their clans are lead by males instead of females unlike the spotted hyena. Their cubs are born with all their stripes already, but instead they're eyes are closed and they have small ears.
Brown Hyena
This hyena is EXTREMELY FLUFFY! They are also scavengers, but they usually hunt baby seals whenever they can. Their cubs are also born with their eyes closed, similar to the striped hyena. They have white legs, with dark stripes on their legs, which I think is cool. Their clans are similar to that of a wolf pack's.
Aardwolf
If you knew this fella existed before this tutorial, you get some cake. The aardwolf is the smallest of the hyena family, they are insectivores! Their cubs are born with their eyes open, but they can't do much yet. Their clans are lead by males too. They resemble their larger cousin the striped hyena.
Notice how they have have the same basic shape! Long neck, shorter tail, rounder belly, and lack of due claws. They also don't have the marks where their whiskers are, the whiskers are just there. Make sure to avoid canine anatomy when drawing these guys! Remember, they are not canines.
Well, hope you learned how to draw hyenas better!
