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How to Draw A Bird – A Step by Step Guide
Birds are some of the most varied animals you can find in nature. From giant, powerful eagles and ostriches to tiny, delicate hummingbirds there is an almost infinite variety of birds to behold.
There are billions of bird lovers in the world, and they love to immortalize their favorite feathered friends in photos, sculptures, paintings and of course drawings.
If you are a bird fan that’s been wanting to learn how to draw a bird, then you’re in luck with this guide!
We created this simple, step-by-step guide on how to draw a bird in 8 easy steps to have you drawing some beautiful birds in no time!
Prepare For This Bird Drawing With These Tips
We’re not going to deny that the guide on how to draw a bird that lies before you has some challenges. Drawing birds can be surprisingly tricky.
This is because of their dainty, detailed bodies and the various textures on them such as their feathers and the texture of their legs and beaks.
We will be breaking it down into smaller steps throughout this guide, but don’t feel shy about making it easier for yourself. This could take a few different forms, depending on your preferences when drawing.
You may want to draw the bird out with your pencils first, erasing any lines that don’t look right. This allows you to draw without fear of failing.
You could also simplify the design even further if you’re struggling. If you look at the later images of this guide, you will see that this bird drawing is somewhere between being cartoony and realistic.
You could make it even more cartoony if that is a style that you find easier to work with. Or, you may actually prefer to draw in a more detailed style, in which case you could make the drawing more realistic.
It would not only make the drawing easier, but it would also make it more unique to you, and you may prefer the new style. You could also look up some pictures of real birds to aid you as you draw.
Even if they’re not matches for the bird in our guide, it will still help you ro visualize the structure of the bird’s body. Try to find photos of birds that are relatively similar and that are facing the same direction if you can.
Hopefully, these tips will help to make this guide even easier for you!
How to Draw a Bird – Let’s get Started!
For the first step in this guide on how to draw a bird, the first thing you need is a light pencil to draw a medium-sized circle.
We’re using a pencil for this step because it’s going to be a guide for us to keep the shape and perspective looking good.
If you struggle to draw a perfect circle freehand, there are tools like a drawing compass that can help you draw a perfect circle really easily.
Once you have your guiding circle, use a pen or darker pencil to draw in a small, triangular beak on the left-hand side. Then, using your guide circle, carefully draw in the top of the head as you can see in the reference picture.
A Cartoon Bird
Draw two circles which overlap each other. The top circle is slightly bigger than the bottom circle.
Draw two rings for the bird’s eyes. Draw crescent curves inside the circles or rings to resemble cartoon eyes.
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Draw the details for the bird’s beak at the middle of the two circles.
Draw additional details for the bird’s head.
Draw the bird’s wings using rounded curves extending from the body.
Draw details for the bird’s feet, legs, and tail feathers.
Trace with a pen and erase unnecessary lines. Add additional details.
Color to your liking!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
A Traditional Bird
Draw two circles to provide framework for the drawing. One circle is small and at the upper right of the page, the other is big at the middle of the page.
Draw curve lines connecting the two circles to form the bird’s body.
Draw a slender triangle with a middle line to form the beak. The triangle extends at the lower right.
Refine the drawing by adding details for the eyes and feathers for the wings.
Draw the slender legs using straight lines.
Trace with a pen and erase unnecessary lines. Draw details for the feathers around the body.
Color to your liking!
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Community Q&A
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Question
How do I draw a parrot and a blue jay?
Community Answer
You can print a picture of them and trace them. Over time, you’ll have more knowledge on how to draw them and you will be able to replicate them with ease.
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Question
How do I know where to place the details?
CanisChiroptera
Community Answer
Practice and references. If you aren’t completely sure on the placement of something, don’t be afraid to do a quick Google Images search to refresh your memory, it’s the fastest way to learn.
Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Question
How can I draw the details of feathers for a traditional bird?
Community Answer
You can try to find a completed picture here or on Google, then zoom in on the features and copy them.
Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
