Drawing can be a wonderful and relaxing way to express your creativity, and one of the most popular subjects for artists of all levels is birds. Birds come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a great subject for both beginners and experienced artists. In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to draw a bird easily, using basic shapes and simple techniques.
Gather Your Materials
Before you begin, gather your drawing materials. You will need
- Paper Start with a plain piece of paper. You can use any type of paper, but thicker paper like drawing paper or sketchbook paper works best.
- Pencils Grab a set of pencils, including an H pencil for light lines and an HB or 2B pencil for darker lines.
- Eraser A good eraser is essential for correcting mistakes and refining your drawing.
- Sharpener Keep a sharp pencil for precise lines.
- Reference Image Find a picture of the bird you want to draw. You can use a book, a magazine, or an image from the internet as a reference.
Observe and Understand the Bird
Take a moment to observe the bird in your reference image. Notice its proportions, shapes, and any unique features. Try to break down the bird into simple shapes. For example, most birds can be simplified into an oval for the body, a circle for the head, and elongated triangles for the beak and tail.
Start with Basic Shapes
Begin your drawing by lightly sketching the basic shapes that make up the bird. Start with an oval for the body, a circle for the head, and add elongated triangles for the beak and tail. These shapes will serve as your guidelines, so don’t worry about making them perfect. Keep your lines light and sketchy.
Add Details
Once you have the basic shapes, start adding more details to your bird. Pay attention to the bird’s eyes, wings, and feet. For the eyes, draw small circles within the head circle. Depending on the species of bird, the wings may vary in shape and size. For beginners, you can simply draw simple curved lines to suggest the wings. For the feet, you can use simple lines and shapes to indicate their position.
Refine Your Lines
Now it’s time to refine your drawing. Use your darker pencil (HB or 2B) to go over the outlines of the bird’s body and features. Pay attention to the curves and contours of the bird, and make sure your lines are clean and well-defined. This is the stage where your bird starts to take shape.
Shading
Shading adds depth and dimension to your drawing. Identify the source of light in your reference image and shade the areas of the bird that are in shadow. Use hatching or cross-hatching techniques to create shadows and highlights. Start with light shading and gradually build up to darker areas. Remember, shading requires patience, so take your time.
Textures and Feathers
To make your bird drawing more realistic, you can add some texture and detail to the feathers. Use small, quick strokes with your pencil to mimic the texture of feathers. Birds have different types of feathers, so look closely at your reference image to see the patterns and textures you need to recreate.
Final Details
Add any final details to your drawing, such as the beak’s texture, the bird’s eye, and any specific markings or patterns on the bird’s plumage. Pay attention to symmetry and proportions. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure accuracy.
Erase Guidelines
Now that your drawing is complete, use your eraser to gently remove the guidelines and any unwanted pencil marks. Be careful not to smudge your drawing while erasing.
Sign and Date
Sign your drawing with your name and the date to mark your artistic achievement. Congratulations! You’ve successfully drawn a bird.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I draw an easy bird?
Start with a circle, then add an oval. Draw a rough circle in the top right quadrant of a square sheet of paper; this will become the bird’s head. Next to it, starting at 7 o’clock, add an oval twice the size for the body. Add the beak, wing and tail.
Is it hard to draw a bird?
Birds are possibly the most visible of the world’s wildlife. They’re easy to see and study and, with practice, not too difficult to draw. A sketchbook, binoculars and pencil are my primary pieces of equipment. I use a mechanical pencil — no sharpening required, which would just slow me down.
Remember, drawing is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first bird drawing doesn’t turn out perfect. Keep practising and experimenting with different bird species to develop your skills. Over time, you’ll become more confident and proficient at capturing the beauty of these feathered creatures on paper. Happy drawing!
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