How to Draw a Blue Jay Step by Step: A Beginner’s Guide

Drawing can be a relaxing and therapeutic way to unwind after a long day. And what better way to express your creativity than by drawing an iconic bird, the blue jay? Known for its bold blue and white feathers, the blue jay is a beautiful bird to draw. With a little bit of patience and practice, you can easily draw a blue jay step-by-step.

Before starting, make sure you have the necessary tools: paper, pencil, eraser, and colored pencils or markers. Once you have these materials, you are ready to get started. Drawing a blue jay involves paying attention to its unique features, such as its curved beak, crest, and distinctive coloring. By following these simple steps, you can create a realistic, yet unique blue jay drawing that you can be proud of. So let’s get started!

Section 1: Sketching the Basic Shape of the Blue Jay

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Before you start drawing your blue jay, make sure that you have all the materials you need. You’ll need a pencil, an eraser, and paper. If you want to add some color to your blue jay drawing, you’ll also need colored pencils or markers.

Step 2: Start with Basic Shapes

Begin by sketching the basic shapes of the blue jay. Draw a circle for the head, a small triangle for the beak, and an oval shape for the body. Add small circles for the wings and tail feathers.

Step 3: Sketch the Details

Now that you have the basic shapes, it’s time to add some details. Sketch the eyes, adding a small white highlight to each one. Add lines to the beak to give it texture. Sketch the feathers on the wings and tail, making sure that they are shaped correctly.

Step 4: Refine Your Sketch

Take a step back and look at your sketch. Check that the proportions are correct and adjust as needed. Refine the details, making sure that everything looks realistic.

Step 5: Add Color

If you want to add color to your blue jay, now is the time to do it. Use colored pencils or markers to add color to the feathers. Start with the lighter colors and work your way up to the darker colors. Add shading where needed to give the drawing depth.

Step 6: Use Layers for More Depth

To give your blue jay drawing even more depth, use layers. Start with a light layer of color and then add darker colors on top. Use your colored pencils or markers to blend the colors together for a more realistic look.

Step 7: Don’t Forget the Background

The background is an important part of your blue jay drawing. Use colored pencils or markers to create a background that complements your blue jay. Consider using different shades of blue and green to create a nature-inspired background.

Step 8: Add Texture to the Feathers

To make the feathers on your blue jay drawing look more realistic, add some texture. Use your pencil to add small lines to the feathers to create a feather-like texture. Be careful not to overdo it, as too many details can make the drawing look cluttered.

Step 9: Use Reference Photos

If you’re having trouble getting your blue jay drawing to look realistic, use reference photos. Look online for photos of blue jays and use them as a guide for your drawing. Pay attention to the shape and color of the feathers, as well as the overall proportions of the bird.

Step 10: Practice Makes Perfect

Drawing is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice to get better. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt at drawing a blue jay doesn’t turn out the way you want it to. Keep practicing, and you’ll improve over time. Try drawing other birds and animals to improve your overall drawing skills.

Section 2: Tips for Drawing a Blue Jay Successfully

1. Gather Your Materials

Before starting your drawing, it’s important to gather all the necessary materials. You will need a piece of paper, a pencil, an eraser, and some colored pencils or markers if you want to add color to your drawing.

2. Observe the Blue Jay Carefully

To create a realistic drawing of a blue jay, you need to observe the physical characteristics of the bird carefully. Look at the shape of its body, wings, head, and beak. These details will help you create an accurate and detailed drawing.

3. Start with Basic Shapes

Start your drawing by sketching out basic shapes, such as circles, ovals, and triangles. Use these shapes as a guide when drawing the bird’s body, head, and wings. This will give you a good foundation to build upon when adding more details.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Drawing is all about trial and error. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and erase them as you go. Mistakes are an important part of the learning process, and they can help you refine your drawing until it looks exactly how you want it to.

5. Add Detail Gradually

Once you have the basic shapes in place, you can start adding more detail to your drawing. Focus on one area at a time, such as the wings or the head. Work on each section until it looks accurate before moving on to the next part of the body.

6. Use Reference Images

If you’re struggling to draw a particular part of the blue jay, try using reference images. You can find pictures of blue jays online or in reference books. These images can give you a better understanding of how the bird’s feathers, beak, and other features should look.

7. Practice Makes Perfect

Drawing takes practice. The more you draw, the better you will become. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempts at drawing a blue jay don’t turn out perfectly. Keep practicing and refining your skills until you’re happy with your drawings.

8. Use Colors to Add Realism

If you want to add more realism and depth to your drawing, consider using colored pencils or markers. Choose colors that match the blue jay’s feathers as closely as possible. Use shading and blending techniques to create a more three-dimensional look.

9. Experiment with Different Styles

There’s no one “perfect” way to draw a blue jay. Experiment with different styles, such as cartoon or realistic, to find the style that suits you best. Don’t be afraid to add your own personal touch to your drawings.

10. Share Your Artwork

Finally, don’t be afraid to share your artwork with others. Post your drawings on social media or in online art communities. You can also use your drawings as gifts or decorations for your home. Celebrate your achievement in learning how to draw a blue jay step by step.

Materials Needed for Drawing a Blue Jay

When drawing anything, it is essential to have the right materials. Luckily, the materials required for drawing a blue jay are relatively basic and easy to obtain. Here are some basic materials needed to draw your own blue jay:

Paper

You will need a quality paper surface that can handle various drawing techniques. It is recommended to purchase a medium-weight drawing paper or watercolor paper to prevent the paper from warping when using wet media.

Pencil

Use a standard pencil to outline your drawing. Consider purchasing a softer pencil like a 2B or 4B to provide darker shading and create depth to your artwork.

Erasers

Erasers are essential to correct any mistakes you make while sketching. A kneaded eraser allows you to lift small details without damaging the paper, and a regular eraser is perfect for removing large errors.

Colored Pencils or Markers

Use colored pencils or markers to add color to your blue jay drawing. In the case of markers, make sure you use water-based felt-tipped markers that will not bleed through the paper.

Reference Image of a Blue Jay

You should have access to a reference image or picture of a blue jay to make your drawing as realistic as possible. You can use a digital or a printed image to help you accurately depict the shape and pattern of the bird’s feathers.

Steps to Draw a Blue Jay

Now that we have the materials ready let’s move to the actual drawing process. Here are 5 steps to follow to draw a blue jay:

Step 1: Sketch the Outline

Start by sketching the outline of the blue jay on your paper. Start by drawing a circle for the head, extending into an oval for the body. Add the wings by drawing two elongated shapes on each side of the body. Add the legs and a line for the tail, keeping in mind blue jays have a relatively long tail. With this step, you should have a basic framework for the bird to work on.

Step 2: Draw in the Details

The next step is drawing in the details of the blue jay by adding features such as facial features like its beak, eyes, and feather patterns. Use your reference image to carefully sketch the intricate feather shapes of the bird while paying close attention to the lines and patterns.

Step 3: Add Shading and Texture

Once you have your initial outlines and details, add shading to create texture and depth to your drawing. Use a softer pencil and layer the shades of grey to make the feathers appear more prominent. Experiment with hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create a more realistic texture matching the bird’s feathers.

Step 4: Add Color

The next step is adding color to your drawing. Use colored pencils or watercolor paint to create accurate plumage, paying attention to the different shades of blue, black, white and grey. Using your reference image to color match is essential to bring out the realism of the picture.

Step 5: Erase Guidelines and Refine the Drawing

Finally, erase all unnecessary guidelines, strokes, and marks to sharpen the edges and refine your blue jay drawing. Carefully add in any additional details that you think will improve your art.

Conclusion

Drawing a blue jay may seem daunting at first, but following the five steps outlined above can make the process much more manageable. With the right materials, reference image, and patience, you can create a beautiful and realistic blue jay drawing that is sure to impress your friends and family. So, grab your pencils and start drawing your own stunning blue jay!

Happy Drawing!

So that’s it, folks! I hope you enjoyed this step-by-step tutorial on how to draw a blue jay. Remember, practice makes perfect, and you can always come back to this guide for a refresher. Happy drawing, and don’t forget to show off your masterpiece once you’re done! Thank you for reading, and be sure to visit again soon for more fun art tutorials.