If you’ve been looking for how to draw a simple bird online, you're in the right place. With just a few simple shapes and lines, you can create your very own bird in no time. So, grab your pencil, follow along, and let's bring a cheerful little bird to life together.
How to Draw a Simple Cartoon Bird for Kids: Step-by-Step (Front View)
Looking for a creative and fun way to spend quality time with your child? This easy cartoon bird drawing tutorial is perfect for parents and kids to enjoy together. Not only is it a great way to bond, but it also helps children develop fine motor skills and artistic confidence. Whether you’re an experienced doodler or just starting out, this step-by-step guide makes drawing a cheerful bird super simple and tons of fun!
Step 1: Place the Eyes Evenly
Draw two large circular eyes, making sure they are the same size. The space between the eyes should be equal on both sides for proper symmetry.
Also, add a small highlight inside each eye to make them look glossy and lifelike.
Step 2: Draw the Beak in the Center
Since the bird is facing forward, the beak must be symmetrical. Sketch a small triangle pointing downward at the center.
Add a small line in the middle of the triangle to divide the upper and lower beaks.
Step 3: Outline the Head and Body with Feathers
At the top of the vertical line, lightly sketch a rounded oval for the basic shape of the bird’s head.
Below the head, draw a larger oval that tapers slightly at the bottom—this is the body. Add several curved lines inside the body to represent feathers.
Step 4: Define the Head with Feathers
Birds have different feather textures on their heads, which depends on the type and bird species. But for a simple bird, you can sketch curved, soft feather lines around the eyes and forehead for a natural look.
Around the edges, some artists lightly add fluffier feather details to make the bird appear more realistic.
Step 5: Draw the Legs and Claws
Birds have thin legs with sharp claws. So, draw two slightly curved lines extending downward from the lower part of the body.
At the end of each one, draw three sharp forward-facing claws and one small backward claw for balance.
If you want to follow the image, draw these ovals under the body on each side to act as the feet.
Step 6: Add a Background
To complete your artwork, you can choose to draw a tree branch for the bird to sit on, a flower, or a soft sky background.
If you want more detail, add falling leaves, flowers, or a blurred natural background for an artistic effect.
Step 7: Add a Feathered Tail
In the end, add a tail for the bird with feathers popping from behind the branch you drew. Now, add some colors to your artwork, and it's done.
Prefer to learn by watching? Here’s a full video tutorial that walks you through each step we just covered. Grab your pencil and draw along!
How to Draw a Bird for Beginners: Easy Steps (Side View)
If you’re looking for something a little more realistic than a cartoon bird, this next tutorial is for you. While the previous section was perfect for young kids, these easy steps are designed for beginners of all ages — whether you’re a teen, adult, or just new to drawing.
Don’t worry — you still won’t need any fancy tools. Just a pencil, paper, and a few minutes of quiet time. This step-by-step guide will show you how to draw a simple bird using basic shapes, so you can build a solid foundation for more detailed sketches later on.
Step 1: Draw a Big Round Body
The bird's body is like a big oval or circle. So, draw a big oval to form the body. Make sure to draw it lightly so you can adjust the shape if needed.
An easy tip for kids is to grab a small lid and place it on the paper. Then, trace around it to make a perfect circle.
Step 2: Add a Small Circle for the Head
Now, draw a smaller circle on top of the body, slightly overlapping it. This will be the bird's head.
You can use a smaller object at hand like a bottle cap or a coin to make a smaller circle if freehand is tough for you.
Step 3: Draw the Bird's Wings
After refining and combining the head and the body, draw a curved shape like a small rainbow on the side. This will be one of the wings as we're drawing this simple bird from the side view.
Instead of drawing wings from scratch, place a spoon next to the body and trace the curved edges to make the wing shape.
Step 4: Add a Short Tail
Now draw a tail next to the back of the body, under the feather, preferably.
For it to work, draw two or three lines sticking out like feathers. If making tail shapes is tricky, draw three small leaf-like shapes together.
You can also use your pinky finger to measure how long the tail should be.
Step 5: Draw a Tiny Triangle for the Beak
In the middle of the head, draw a small triangle pointing outward. This will be the bird's beak.
Step 6: Add Head Feathers and a Small Dot for the Eye
Inside the head, draw a little circle for the eye. If you want, you can use the end of a pencil or a pen cap to gently press on the paper, which would leave a small circle mark. This makes it easy to get round eyes.
Add some shading to make the eye pop out more. Also, use small pencil strokes to draw the feathers around the head and the body of this simple bird.
Step 7: Draw the Feet
Under the body, draw two thin lines for the legs. At the bottom of each one, add three lines to make tiny feet. In the image above, we have also added a branch, and you can do that to make the feet more prominent on the branch.
Instead of worrying about perfect feet, just draw two "L" shapes upside down for simple feet. Another fun way is to draw a tiny letter "Y" at the bottom to represent the feet.
Step 8: Add Color and Details
Here comes the fun part: coloring the bird! You can make it bluish like a silver-eared mesia, yellow like a canary, or any color you love.
Add fun patterns like polka dots and stripes! If you want to make it more fancy, use stickers or colored paper to cut shapes and glue them onto your bird for a fun craft version.
Step 9: Show Off Your Drawing
You did it! Your bird drawing is ready to fly. Show it off to your family and friends. You can even draw more birds in different colors to create a whole flock!
If you want to learn how to make more birds quickly, use your first drawing as a template. Place a new sheet of paper on top, lightly trace over it, and color them differently!
Not sure if your bird looks right? No worries — we’ve got your back! Check out the full video tutorial below and follow along at your own pace.
Source: Sayataru Creation | YouTube
Summing Up
Great job! Now you know how to draw a simple bird from the side view, which is perfect for kids and beginners, and the front view, which adds more detail for the artist.
With practice and time, you can add more feathers, shading, and backgrounds to your design to make your bird even more lifelike. Keep drawing, experiment with different styles and different feather colors, but most importantly—have fun creating!FAQs
1. How can I make my bird drawing look more realistic?
Add feather details using light, curved strokes. Also use shading to create depth, especially around the wings and tail. Highlight the eyes with small white reflections to give them a glossy and life-like appearance.
2. What’s the best way to draw symmetrical bird eyes?
For symmetrical bird eyes, lightly sketch a guideline across the head and place dots where the eyes should be. Then, draw circles around the dots, ensuring an equal distance from the center for proper symmetry before refining the details.
3. What’s a common mistake to avoid when drawing birds?
Many beginners make the head too big or the wings uneven. Always start with light sketches and check proportions before adding final details. Also, avoid making the legs too short or the tail too small.
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