How to Draw a Great Horned Owl

1. Begin the great horned owl outline by drawing its face. Use a "V" shaped line for the beak. Use a series of short lines to turn it into a diamond shape and to contour above it. Use curved lines to enclose the eyes, brows, and top of the head.

Shade a partial circle in each eye. Then, use a series of curved lines that meet at points to draw the feathery sides of the head.

2. Use a series of curved lines to draw and fill the triangular, hornlike tufts of feathers. Use a similar series of lines to texture the sides of the face.

3. Use long and short curved lines to draw the owl's back and chest, as well as the triangular patch of feathers at the base of the neck.

4. Next, draw the wing. Use long, overlapping curved lines to draw the layers of wing and flight feathers.

5. Texture the wing with curved lines. Then, use pairs of lines that meet at sharp points to draw the tail feathers visible below the wing.

6. Draw the owl's feet using curved lines, some of which have the jagged texture of feathers. Draw long, curved triangles for the owl's large, fearsome talons or claws.

7. Finish drawing the toes and talons. Then, use overlapping curved lines to complete the tail. Use a series of short lines to contour above the owl's eyes.

8. Texture the feathers of the owl's belly and face with wavy, curved lines.

9. Draw a tree branch for the owl to sit on. Use long curved lines to enclose the "Y" shape, then to texture the tree bark.

Your great horned owl outline is now complete. Color your drawing. Great horned owls have feathers ranging in color from cream to brown to gray. Their eyes are bright yellow.