Step-by-Step Guide on Drawing a Bird with Colored Pencils

Drawing birds with colored pencils is an exciting and rewarding experience for any art enthusiast. Not only does it boost your creativity and imagination, but it also provides a great opportunity to hone your skills in sketching, shading, and color blending. With a few tips and tricks, you can easily create a realistic and captivating bird portrait that will leave your audience mesmerized.

The first step in drawing birds with colored pencils is to choose the right bird species to draw. You can pick a bird that is common in your area or one that you find particularly interesting. However, it’s essential to gather reference materials such as photographs, books, or nature documentaries to observe the bird’s shape, color, and texture. Once you have the necessary information, you can start practicing sketching the bird’s outline and features. Remember, drawing a bird is like assembling a puzzle, with each part fitting precisely with the others. So, focus on getting the proportions right and adding detail gradually.

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1. Materials needed: The tools you’ll require

Colored pencils

Choosing high-quality colored pencils will help you achieve better results. Look for brands like Faber-Castell or Prismacolor.

Paper

Choose paper with a toothy texture and a sturdy weight, so it can handle layering. Try using a drawing paper or a mixed media paper.

Pencil sharpener

Buy a handheld pencil sharpener or a mechanical one for greater accuracy. Be sort to always use a sharp tip.

Eraser

Use an eraser to correct your mistakes or to lighten colors.

Brush

You’ll need a soft-bristled brush to help blend colors.

2. Sketching and Outlining: Start with the basics
Use a light pencil to sketch the body of the bird and the guidelines. Always begin with the outline to build a foundation, and add details later. Be sure to proportionately match the bird to its environment, tree branch, or nest.

3. Color Selection: Choose your colors wisely
Pick colors that match the bird’s natural palette. Observe the different shades that make up its feathers, and blend them delicately. Choose colors that blend seamlessly with each other, and don’t be afraid to experiment.

4. Layering Techniques: Build depth
Use a light hand to layer light colors gradually. This will give your bird depth and texture.

5. Texturizing: Adding feather details Begin with the eyes, beak, and feet. Then, follow the flow of the bird’s feathering, adding texture and details.

6. Shading Techniques: Creating a three-dimensional look
Add shadows to your bird to make it appear three-dimensional. Use darker shades and follow the natural shadows. Be sure to blend the layers for a natural look.

7. Highlighting Techniques: Bringing out the details
Add brighter shades on top of the lighter ones. This will bring out the details of the bird’s feathers.

8. Background and Foreground: Setting the mood
Think about the environment in which the bird exists. Choose colors that match the environment, and use the foreground and background to set the mood for the artwork.

9. Finishing Touches: Perfecting your artwork
Once you’ve finished coloring your bird, step back and examine your work. Make any necessary touch-ups or adjustments. Sign your work if you’re happy with it!

10. Practice Makes Perfect
Like any skill, practice is key. Keep drawing birds with colored pencils and experiment with different techniques to improve your skills. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at it!

Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing a Bird with Colored Pencils

Once you have the necessary materials, it’s time to start drawing your bird. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Choose your reference photo

Before you begin drawing, find a reference photo of the bird you want to draw. Look for a clear and detailed photo that shows the bird’s features and colors.

2. Outline the basic shape of the bird

Using a light pencil, lightly sketch the basic outline of the bird. Pay attention to the proportions and use basic shapes like circles, ovals, and triangles to map out the body, head, wings, and tail.

3. Start adding details to the bird

With your basic outline in place, start adding more details to the bird. Start with the head and work your way down. Add details like the eyes, beak, and feathers.

4. Add color to the bird

Once you have the basic details sketched out, start adding color to the bird using your colored pencils. Think about the different layers of feathers and use light strokes to build up the colors gradually.

5. Build up the layers of color

Continue adding color and building up the layers of the feathers until the bird starts to take shape. Use a variety of colors to add depth and dimension to the bird’s feathers.

6. Add texture to the feathers

To add texture to the bird’s feathers, use a variety of techniques like crosshatching, stippling, and blending. This will help to create a more realistic look and feel to the bird’s feathers.

7. Focus on the bird’s eyes

The eyes are often the most important part of a bird’s drawing. Make sure to add detail and color to the eyes to make them stand out and give the bird expression.

8. Add shading and highlights

Once you have the colors and textures in place, add shading and highlights to the bird to create depth and contrast. Use light strokes to add highlights and darker strokes to create shadows.

9. Clean up the drawing

Once you are happy with your drawing, use an eraser to clean up any stray pencil marks or smudges. You can also use a white pencil or eraser to add highlights and clean up any areas that need it.

10. Frame and enjoy your finished drawing

Once your drawing is complete, you can frame it and hang it up for everyone to enjoy. Take a step back and admire your work – you just drew a beautiful bird with colored pencils!

Choosing the Right Colored Pencils

When it comes to drawing a bird with colored pencils, choosing the right set of pencils is crucial as it can make or break your artwork. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right set of colored pencils for your bird drawing:

Quality of Pencils

It is important to invest in a good quality set of colored pencils. Professional-grade colored pencils will provide you with a wide range of colors and hues to choose from, giving you greater control and precision when shading and blending your artwork.

Type of Colored Pencils

Colored pencils come in two main types – wax-based and oil-based. Wax-based pencils are softer, produce a smoother finish, and are easier to blend. Oil-based pencils are harder and produce a matte finish, making them ideal for adding details and highlights.

Color Range

The number of colors in a colored pencil set is also an important factor to consider. Look for a set with a wide range of colors and hues that are suitable for bird drawings. This will help you achieve the right balance between colors and highlights.

Brand Reputation

It is always important to buy colored pencil sets from reputed brands. Trusted brands usually offer better quality pencils that are long-lasting. They also offer customer support, which is essential in case you face any issues while using their products.

User Reviews

Before finalizing your purchase, it is always good to read user reviews online. User reviews will give you an idea about the pros and cons of a particular colored pencil set. It’s an easy way to make an informed decision based on the experiences of others who have used the product.

In conclusion, choosing the right set of colored pencils is essential for achieving a realistic bird drawing. Be sure to consider the quality, type, color range, brand reputation, and user reviews when making your purchase. Once you’ve chosen your pencils, you’re ready to move on to the next step – sketching out your bird.

Happy Bird Drawing!

I hope you enjoyed learning how to draw a bird with colored pencils! Remember to take your time and have fun with it. Don’t worry about making mistakes, just keep practicing and you’ll get better and better. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you again soon for more art tips and tutorials. Keep drawing and make your art come to life!