Throughout the world, there are approximately 10,000 different species of birds. Birds are common sights in our backyards, and in our art as well. Over the centuries, various bird species have been used in art to represent freedom, peace, wisdom, and a whole range of human emotions.
Would you like to be able to draw your very own bird? Now you can, by following this easy, step-by-step drawing tutorial.
You will not need any special tools, only a piece of paper and a writing implement, such as a pen or pencil. You may also want to use an eraser to correct any mistakes, and have some tools on hand with which to color your finished drawing, such as crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
Each step is illustrated using a detailed picture. New lines added in each step are highlighted in blue, whereas lines from past steps are shown in black. Be sure to sketch lightly at first, as you will be erasing some of your early lines, called guide lines.
Whatever the bird means to you, you are now ready to draw one.
If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Penguin, Turkey, and Hummingbird.
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Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Bird
Begin by drawing a small circle. This will form the bird’s head.
Next, enclose an irregular shape to the right of the circle, using two curved lines that meet in a point. This will form the bird’s body.
Extend two more curved lines above and below the point. Connect these lines using a curved line. This will form the bird’s tail.
Extend a wing from the upper portion of the body using two wavy, roughly “S” shaped lines. The lines should meet in a point.
From the area of the head, extend two more curved lines that meet in a point. This will form the second wing.
Erase the guide lines from the head, base of the wing, and tail.
Draw the beak using a series of curved lines. The beak should form a point on its bottom side.
Erase the guide line of the circle from within the beak.
Add flight feathers to the left wing by overlapping a series of connected, “U” shaped lines with the bottom line of the wing.
Erase the guide lines from the wing.
Draw a series of connected, “U” shaped lines extending from the right wing.
Erase the guide line from the wing.
Add feathers to the tail by drawing a series of connected, “U” shaped lines along the tip of the tail.
Erase the guide line from the tail.
Add the detail of feathers to the bird. Draw a series of “U” shaped lines within each wing, parallel to the flight feathers. Allow some of the “U” shaped lines to connect, and others to stand alone. Draw several curved lines on the bird’s torso. Draw slightly curved lines down the length of the tail.
Draw a small circle in the middle of the head to form the eye, and a dot within the beak to form the nostril.
Extend a few short lines from above the eye, forming eyelashes. Draw a large circle within the eye, and a smaller oval and circle within it. Shade the area between the larger circle and the smaller shapes.
Draw a series of connected, curved lines above the tail to form the ruff of feathers along the leg. Draw a small enclosed shape below this to form the leg itself. Beneath the leg, draw several small tear drop shapes to form the toes.
On the line of the stomach, draw several more tear drop shapes to form the other foot.
Color your bird. In nature, birds come in all colors of the rainbow, so be creative!
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