How to Draw a Dove

Try the Full Membership for only $1 (LAST DAY!)

Learn how to draw a great looking Dove with easy, step-by-step drawing instructions, and video tutorial.

By following the simple steps, you too can easily draw a beautiful Dove.

Jump to the step-by-step instructions.

Complete Dove drawing
Complete Dove drawing

The dove has long been used as a symbol of peace, innocence, and purity by in a variety of regions and by numerous religious groups.

In ancient Rome and Greece, the image of a dove carrying or encircled by leaves was a common aspect of funeral art.

The dove was also used in early Christian and Jewish art, and it continues to be used in art, advertising, military insignia, and by pacifist organizations.

This image of a dove carrying a leaf or twig in its beak can be traced to the biblical story of Noah. After the earth had been flooded for some time, he is said to have released a raven and then a dove from the ark.

When the dove returned with an olive leaf in its beak, he knew that life was returning to the earth.

Doves, often called pigeons, are a common sight around the world. Due to their "homing" behavior - instinctively returning to the location in which they were raised - doves have at times been used as a means of communication.

Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.

Would you like to draw your own dove? All you will need is this easy, step-by-step tutorial, a pencil, and a piece of paper.

You may also wish to have an eraser handy, and tools with which to color your finished drawing.

If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Peacock, Eagle, and Bird.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Dove

How to draw a dove Featured image

How to Draw a Great Looking Dove for Kids, Beginners, and Adults - Step 1

How to draw a dove Step: 1

Begin by drawing a small circle. This will outline the dove's head.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 2

How to draw a dove Step: 2

Draw two curved lines extending from the circle, meeting in a point to form the bird's beak. Draw another curved line between the circle and the tip of the beak, indicating the division of the upper and lower portions.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 3

How to draw a dove Step: 3

Draw a series of overlapping curved lines, forming the bird's neck as well as the detail of feathers.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 4

How to draw a dove Step: 4

Draw a large oval beneath the neck and head, outlining the bird's body.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 5

How to draw a dove Step: 5

Draw a long, curved line, connecting the neck to the oval and then extending from it. This extension is the beginning of the dove's tail.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 6

How to draw a dove Step: 6

Enclose the wing using a series of curved lines, extending from one side of the oval to the other. Draw several short, curved lines to add detail to the wing.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 7

How to draw a dove Step: 7

Draw a long, curved line from the front of the neck to the base of the wing, outlining the bird's neck and stomach.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 8

How to draw a dove Step: 8

Erase the guide lines from the head and body.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 9

How to draw a dove Step: 9

Draw a long, curved line extending from the wing, outlining the bottom edge of the tail. Draw a series of connected, curved lines to add detail to the center of the tail.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 10

How to draw a dove Step: 10

Connect the upper and lower portions of the tail using a series of connected, overlapping curved lines.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 11

How to draw a dove Step: 11

Draw a series of connected, curved lines from the wing to the tail. Place additional curved lines within the tail, adding detail.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 12

How to draw a dove Step: 12

Enclose the shape of the beak using a curved line. Enclose the shape of the eye using two curved lines, meeting in a point on each side of the eye. Draw a curve across the eye to enclose the pupil. Add detail by drawing a tiny circle. Shade the pupil.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 13

How to draw a dove Step: 13

Draw a curved line at the base of the head to indicate the jaw. Then, draw several series of connected, curved lines on the neck, wing, and tail, bestowing the texture of feathers.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 14

How to draw a dove Step: 14

Begin the bird's leg by enclosing a roughly triangular shape beneath the wing, using a series of curved lines.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 15

How to draw a dove Step: 15

Connect the tip of the triangle shape to the body using a curved line.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 16

How to draw a dove Step: 16

Draw the foot using a curved line that repeatedly doubles back on itself, forming an "X" shape. Draw a small, curved triangle at the end of each toe to indicate the claws.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 17

How to draw a dove Step: 17

Draw the far foot behind the first, using curved lines. Draw a triangular claw at the tip of each foot.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 18

How to draw a dove Step: 18

Draw an "S" shaped line passing through the bird's beak. Draw a straight line to indicate the ground beneath its feet, and lines of various lengths to give the ground texture.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 19

How to draw a dove Step: 19

Draw leaves along the "S" shaped line, using two curved lines for each. Use a curved line to draw a vein in the center of each leaf.

Easy Dove Drawing - Step 20

How to draw a dove Step: 20

Color your dove.

For more great Bird drawing tutorials, see the 41 Step-by-Step Bird Drawing Guides post.

Easy, step by step Dove drawing tutorial
How to Draw a Dove | Share to Pinterest

Click HERE to save the tutorial to Pinterest!

Dove Drawing Tutorial - Easy & Fun Printable Pages

Join now and get immediate access to thousands of printable drawing instruction and practice pages!

Printables thumbnail: How to draw a dove

Learn how to get access to thousands of printable pages!

Become a member sales prompt

MEMBER TROUBLESHOOTING

Still seeing ads or not being able to download the PDF?

First, check that you're logged in. You can log in on the member login page.

If you're still not able to download the PDF, the likely solution is to reload the page.

You can do this by clicking the browser reload button.

It is a circular arrow-shaped icon at the top of the browser window, typically found in the upper-left side (you can also use keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+R on PC and Command+R on Mac).