How to Draw a Bird on Wikihow: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Drawing a bird can be a fun and exciting challenge, especially if you’re a beginner at it. Many people find joy in capturing the beautiful curves and colors of these magnificent creatures, and there’s no reason why you can’t do the same. Whether you’re interested in creating a realistic bird or a more cartoony version, there are some basic steps you can follow to get started. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at how to draw a bird using Wikihow – one of the easiest and most popular online resources for artists.

Firstly, it’s important to remember that drawing a bird is all about observation. You need to train your eyes to see the shapes and proportions of the bird, so that you can replicate them on paper. This means taking the time to study your subject, whether it’s a photograph or a real bird. Look at its overall shape, the size and shape of its beak, wings and tail, and the way its feathers lie. Breaking down the bird into its basic geometric shapes (circles, triangles and rectangles) can also be helpful in achieving a more accurate drawing. Remember to take your time, and don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t look perfect at first – practice makes perfect!

Drawing a bird can be a fun and rewarding experience, whether you’re an experienced artist or a beginner. With the help of this guide, you’ll learn the basics of drawing a bird and be able to create beautiful pieces of artwork in no time. In this section, we will go through 10 simple steps to help you get started. So grab a pencil and paper, and let’s get started!

Gather Your Art Supplies

Before you begin drawing, it’s important to make sure that you have all the necessary tools. You’ll need a pencil, an eraser, paper, and possibly a ruler or compass. You might also want to consider using colored pencils, markers, or watercolors to make your drawings even more beautiful.

Choose a Bird to Draw

Next, decide which bird you want to draw. You can choose any bird that inspires you or one that you find interesting. You might want to start with a simple bird, such as a sparrow or a finch, before moving on to more complex birds like eagles or owls.

Study Bird Anatomy

To draw a bird realistically, it’s important to understand its anatomy. Study pictures of birds or look at them in real life to get a sense of how their bodies are structured. Pay attention to the shape of their bodies, wings, beaks, and feet.

Sketch Basic Shapes

Begin drawing by sketching basic shapes that make up the bird’s body. You can use circles, ovals, and triangles to create the bird’s head, body, wings, and tail. These shapes will serve as your guide as you begin to add more detail.

Add Details

Once you have the basic shapes in place, start adding details. Add feathers to the wings and tail, eyes, a beak, and feet. Pay close attention to the details of the bird you’re drawing, so that you can capture its unique characteristics.

Shading and Texture

To make your drawing look more realistic, add shading and texture. Use light and dark shading to create depth and shadow, and add texture to the bird’s feathers and other features.

Use Reference Images

If you’re having trouble with a particular part of the drawing, don’t be afraid to use reference images. Look at pictures or videos of birds to get a better understanding of how their feathers, wings, and beaks look.

Practice Different Poses

To expand your drawing skills, practice drawing a bird in different poses. Try drawing a bird in flight, sitting on a branch, or taking off from the ground. This will help you to better understand bird anatomy and movement.

Experiment with Different Mediums

Once you’ve mastered drawing birds with a pencil, try experimenting with different mediums. You might use markers or watercolors to add color to your drawing, or try using charcoal or pastels to create a different texture.

Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Finally, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Drawing is a learning process, and mistakes are a natural part of that process. If a drawing doesn’t turn out the way you hoped, don’t get discouraged. Keep practicing, and remember that every mistake is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Section 2: Techniques to Draw a Bird Successfully

Drawing a bird can be quite challenging, but with the right techniques, you can become a pro at it. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you draw a bird successfully.

1. Start with Basic Shapes

Before you start drawing the bird, it’s important to have a basic understanding of its form. Start by drawing a simple outline of the bird with shapes like circles, squares, and triangles. This will give you a basic structure to work with and make it easier to move onto more complex details.

2. Pay Attention to Proportions

One of the most important aspects of drawing a bird is getting the proportions right. Make sure to observe the bird closely and pay attention to its size, shape, and angles. This will help you capture its unique features accurately in your drawing.

3. Use Guidelines to Map Out the Drawing

Guidelines can be really helpful when drawing a bird. These lines will act as a map to define the proportions, placement of features, and angles in your drawing. Use a light pencil to make these guidelines as you can easily erase them later.

4. Add Detail Gradually

Once you have the basic outline and guidelines in place, start adding details gradually. Start with the eyes, beak, and feathers, and then work your way outwards. This way, you can ensure that each detail is accurately captured, and the bird looks realistic.

5. Use Reference Images

Refer to images of the bird, either online or from a birding guidebook, as you draw. This will give you an idea of its features and help you capture them accurately. Make sure to observe the bird closely, noting its color, texture, and markings.

6. Experiment with Different Mediums

Experiment with different mediums, such as pencil, charcoal, or watercolors, to add variety to your drawing. Try out different techniques with each medium to see what works best for you. This will give you more options to work with and allow you to create a more unique piece.

7. Combine Different Angles

Drawing the bird from different angles can help you capture its form more accurately. Use different angles to create a sense of movement and perspective in your drawing. You can draw the bird in flight or perched on a branch, for example.

8. Pay Attention to Light and Shadow

Light and shadow can add depth and dimension to your drawing. Observe the way the light falls on the bird’s feathers and use shading to create a sense of depth. This will make your drawing look more realistic.

9. Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice is the key to becoming a pro at drawing birds. Keep practicing, experimenting with different techniques and mediums. The more you practice, the better you will become.

10. Have Fun!

Last but not least, remember to have fun! Drawing a bird should be an enjoyable experience. Don’t get too caught up in getting everything perfect. Embrace your mistakes and keep practicing until you create a stunning piece of art!

Materials Needed for Drawing a Bird

Drawing a bird is an excellent way to express your creativity. This hobby can be a lot of fun and is relatively easy to learn with a little practice. But before you start drawing, you will need to prepare your materials. Here are some materials that are essential for drawing a bird:

Now that you have gathered your materials let’s move on to the next step, which is creating an outline of the bird.

Creating an Outline of the Bird

Before you start drawing the bird, it’s crucial to plan your sketch. You can use a reference image to help you understand the bird’s body structure. This will help you create a basic outline before adding more details.

Start by sketching a circle for the bird’s head, followed by a tube-like elliptical shape for the body. After that, draw the wings and the tail. Use light pressure while sketching, so it’s easier to erase and modify the sketch later on. Make sure you maintain proportions as you draw different parts of the bird.

Once you are happy with the basic outline, start adding details to the sketch. Focus on adding details to the bird’s face, beak, and eyes. Check the reference image to ensure that you are not missing any critical details.

Adding Feathers to the Bird

Feathers are an essential part of a bird’s anatomy, and adding them is key to making your drawing look realistic. Feather textures come in different shapes, and you will need to find out which type of bird you are drawing to get it right.

When adding feathers, start with the largest group, typically located on the bird’s wings. From there, continue adding feathers systematically, using the reference image as a guide. Draw the feathers in the direction that they grow in and make them more symmetrical. This concept helps to create a realistic 3D effect.

Shading and Texturing the Bird

Shading and texture give a drawing its final polished look. Start shading by determining where the light source is coming from and add shadows accordingly, usually beneath the wings, tail, and head.

Use a blending tool to smooth out the shading gradually and add texture to the feathers. Use short strokes to create a soft, feathery look, and long diagonal strokes for a rough look. You can also create highlights on the bird’s feathers to give them shine.

Finishing the Drawing

Finally, add any final details to the bird, complete with small marks to represent things like the beak and eyes. Review your sketch and make any necessary modifications until you are satisfied with the outcome. Always remember that practice makes perfect, and the more you draw, the better you will become. You can use other reference images of different birds to improve your experience, and in no time, you will be a pro at drawing birds.

Sayonara, Fellow Bird Watcher

Well, that’s all folks! I hope you had as much fun reading about how to draw a bird as we did writing about it. Drawing birds is so much more than just sketching feathers and wings; it requires concentration, patience and a passion for our feathered friends. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t get discouraged if your first few attempts don’t turn out the way you wanted them to. Keep an open mind, and remember that failing is only part of the process. Thanks for joining us on this artistic adventure, and don’t forget to come back soon for more exciting tips and tricks. Happy drawing!