Creating a Bird Using Simple Shapes

Drawing is an essential skill that is not only fun and therapeutic but can also be a useful tool in expressing oneself. Drawing birds using shapes is an excellent way to start learning how to draw. Not only does it make the process simpler, but it also enables beginners to create beautiful images that they can be proud of. In this article, we will guide you through simple steps on how to draw a bird using shapes, regardless of your previous experience.

It’s essential to have an idea of the shapes used in drawing birds beforehand. Different bird species have different shapes that make up their bodies, beaks, wings, and tails. Some of the common shapes used in drawing a bird include circles, rectangles, ovals, and triangles. With a good understanding of these shapes, you can easily draw a bird with minimal effort. In the following paragraphs, we’ll take a detailed look at how to draw a bird using shapes in easy to understand language.

Materials Needed

The art of drawing a bird largely depends on the materials you use. Picking the right tools and materials can significantly improve the quality of your artwork. Below are some tools you will need before you begin:

Choosing the Right Shape for Your Bird

Choosing the right shape for your bird is essential. This guide will cover the most common shapes to choose from, including circles, triangles, rectangles, and ovals. The shape you choose will depend on the bird you’re looking to draw. Research and choose the best shape that works for the bird you’re drawing.

Drawing the Outline of Your Bird

After choosing the shape for your bird, the next step is to draw its outline. This involves drawing a basic shape of the bird using a pencil. The outline captures the size and the general shape of the bird. It’s essential to get this step right, as you’ll be building up the details of your drawing from this basic shape.

Adding Details to Your Bird

Once you have your bird’s outline, it’s time to add the details. You can start by adding feathers to the bird. Remember that not all birds have the same number of feathers or feather shapes, so make sure to research what kind of feathers you need to add to your bird’s specific species.

Building up Your Bird’s Body

In this step, we’ll add volume to the bird’s body. Birds have curves and contours, so it’s essential to get this step right. You can start by adding shading to the bird, highlighting its wings, and underbelly. Use your pencil to add shadows where appropriate.

Drawing the Eyes, Beak, and Feet

The eyes, beak, and feet are essential details to your bird drawing. In this step, we’ll work on drawing these important features. For the eyes, make sure to get the size, shape, and placement right. For the beak, make sure to choose the right length, width, and shape. The feet should also be proportional to the bird’s overall size.

Making Adjustments to Your Bird Drawing

After drawing your bird, it’s time to step back and review your work. Make adjustments where necessary. Add any missing details or fine-tune areas that need it. Use your eraser to remove any unnecessary lines or mistakes.

Picking the Right Color for Your Bird

Now that you have your bird drawing, it’s time to color it. Choosing the right color will depend on the species of bird you’re drawing. Research the colors of the bird and choose the right hues and shades of colors to use for your drawing.

Adding the Final Touches to Your Bird Drawing

Adding final touches to your bird drawing means adding any missing details, finalizing the color, and cleaning up any final mistakes. Use your pencil to add the last details, and your eraser to remove any mistakes. This stage is where you can add your creative touch and make the artwork your own.

Capturing Your Bird Drawing

After completing your bird drawing, it’s time to capture it. You can do this with your smartphone or scanner. When capturing your drawing, make sure to capture it in good lighting and from the right angle. This makes your artwork more presentable and professional-looking.

Shapes to Use When Drawing a Bird

When drawing a bird, it is essential to identify what shapes you would need to create the outline. Here are some of the basic shapes that you can use when drawing a bird:

1. Circle for the Head

Start with a circle to make a head for your bird. Place it towards the top of your paper, leaving space for the body.

2. Oval Shape for the Body

A bird’s body is usually slightly larger than its head. Draw an oval shape under the head to make the main body of your bird.

3. Triangle for the Beak

Next, draw an upside-down triangle below the circle for the bird’s beak. The size of the triangle will depend on the size of your bird.

4. Rectangle for the Tail

Make a rectangle shape starting from the back of the body to create the bird’s tail.

5. Small Cylinders for the Legs

Two small cylinders are needed for the bird’s legs. Attach them to the bottom of the body. You can adjust the length of the legs to suit the size of your bird.

6. Circle for the Eye

Draw a small circle for the bird’s eye on the opposite side of the head to the beak.

7. Wing Shape

Add in two wings for your bird, with each wing consisting of a series of shapes attached to the body. The shape of the wing can vary depending on the type of bird you’re drawing.

8. Feet Shape

Create foot design based on the bird species. Some birds have webbed feet, while others have talons.

9. Enhance Your Drawing

With the basic shapes in place, you can start enhancing your bird drawing by adding more details such as feathers, claws, and facial expressions.

10. Practice Makes Perfect

Drawing can be challenging initially, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Draw different bird species and work on perfecting each one. With time, you’ll be a pro at drawing birds.

Creating the outline of the bird

Once you have chosen the basic shape to start with, it’s time to start creating the outline of the bird. This will give the bird its overall shape, size, and proportions. Here are the steps to follow.

Sketching the details

Once you have the basic outline of the bird, it’s time to start sketching its details. Draw lines to define the wings and tail feathers, and add a few more curves and lines to show the contours of the bird’s body. Here are some tips to help you with the details.

Beak

Add some detail to the beak. Draw two small curves to indicate the nostrils, and make the tip pointed and slightly curved downwards.

Eyes

Draw a small circle inside the bigger circle for the eyes and shade the smaller circle leaving a tiny white spot at the center. This gives the eyes a more lifelike appearance.

Feathers

Sketch the feathers of the wings and tail, giving them as much detail as you want. Use curved lines to show their movement, and vary their size and direction to make the bird look more natural.

Legs and feet

Finally, add the legs and feet. Make the legs thin and draw each foot with three claws. Position them towards the bottom of the bird’s body.

Shading and coloring

Now you have a beautifully drawn bird, but it’s still missing something – color! Choose the colors you want to use and start filling in the colors of the bird. Don’t forget to add shadows, as this gives the bird depth and dimension.

Use light and dark tones of the same color to create the shadows, with a darker tone in areas that you want to appear more recessed. This will give the bird a three-dimensional appearance.

Practice, practice, practice!

Remember that drawing takes practice, so don’t expect to create a perfect bird on your first try. Keep practicing and experimenting with different shapes, sizes, and colors until you get the hang of it. With enough practice, you can create beautiful bird drawings that rival those by professional artists.

Thank You for Learning to Draw a Bird Using Shapes with Us!

We hope that you had an amazing time practicing your art skills with us. Remember, drawing is all about having fun and expressing yourself creatively! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and keep on trying until you get it right. Practice makes perfect, so keep on practicing. We can’t wait to see more of your bird drawings in the future! Thanks for reading, and come back soon for more fun art tutorials. Happy drawing!