How to Draw a Cute Bird: Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 7 min read

Are you a bird lover or simply fond of those adorable, fluffy creatures that brighten up our skies? Then, learning how to draw a cute bird is the perfect way to express your appreciation for them. This beginner-friendly, step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the process of drawing a cute bird that you'll love to show off. With some practice, you'll be able to create your own unique and charming bird illustrations!

Overview

In this tutorial, we'll cover the basics of drawing a cute bird, starting with the materials you'll need, and choosing a reference for your drawing. We'll then move on to drawing the basic shapes that make up the bird's body, followed by adding details, and finally inking and coloring your masterpiece. So let's grab our tools and get started!

Materials Needed

To draw a cute bird, you'll need the following materials:

Pencil: For sketching out your initial drawing.
Eraser: To correct any mistakes and clean up your sketch.
Paper: Choose a good quality paper that can handle ink and colors well.
Ink pen: For outlining your drawing and adding details.
Colors: You can choose from colored pencils, markers, or even watercolors to bring your bird to life.

Choosing a Reference

Before you start drawing, it's helpful to choose a reference image or real-life bird to base your drawing on. This will help you understand the bird's shape, proportions, and details. Don't worry about replicating the reference exactly—instead, use it as a guide to help you create your own unique cute bird.

Step 1: Start with the Basic Shapes

When learning how to draw a cute bird, it's essential to start with basic shapes. These simple shapes will help you create the foundation for your drawing and make it easier to build upon. In this step, we'll focus on ovals, circles, and triangles.

Ovals and Circles

Begin by sketching an oval shape for the bird's body. This will serve as the base of your drawing. Next, draw a smaller circle on top of the oval for the bird's head. Make sure the circle is touching the oval, as this is where the head connects to the body. The size of the circle can be adjusted depending on how big or small you want the bird's head to be. Remember, when drawing a cute bird, it's common to have a slightly oversized head to make it look more adorable.

Triangles

Now that we have the basic body and head, let's add some triangles to represent the bird's wings and tail. Draw two triangles on either side of the oval for the wings. Make sure they're appropriately sized in relation to the body. For the tail, draw a larger triangle extending from the bottom of the oval. This will give your bird a sense of balance and help it stand out.

Congratulations! You've now created the basic shapes that will serve as a foundation for your cute bird drawing. Next, we'll add some details to really bring it to life.

Step 2: Add Details to the Body

With the basic shapes in place, it's time to add details to your cute bird drawing. This step will focus on enhancing the wings, tail, and adding some feathers to make your bird look more realistic.

Wings

Let's start by refining the wings. Instead of keeping the simple triangle shape, you can add a curved line along the top edge of each wing to give them a more natural look. Next, draw several lines extending from the curved edge towards the body to represent feathers. This will add texture and depth to your bird's wings.

Tail

Now, let's move on to the tail. Similar to the wings, add a curved line along the top edge of the tail triangle. Then, draw several lines extending from the curved edge towards the body to represent tail feathers. By adding these details, your bird's tail will look more dynamic and interesting.

Feathers

To give your bird a fluffy appearance, add some small, curved lines along the edges of the body and head. These lines will represent feathers and give your bird a softer, more adorable look. You can also add a few lines on the wings and tail to enhance the feathery texture.

Great job! Your bird is starting to come together. In the next step, we'll focus on drawing the head and adding facial features to make your bird truly cute and expressive.

Step 3: Draw the Head

Now that your bird's body is looking more detailed, let's focus on drawing the head and adding facial features to give your cute bird a unique personality and expression.

Eyes

The eyes are essential for making your bird look cute. Start by drawing two large circles or ovals for the eyes. Inside each circle, draw a smaller circle or oval to represent the iris. Finally, draw another even smaller circle within the iris to create the shiny highlight. This will give your bird's eyes a sparkly, animated appearance.

Beak

Next up is the beak. The beak should be small and simple to maintain your bird's cuteness. Draw a small triangle or curved shape, depending on your reference and the bird species you're trying to draw. Make sure the beak is centered between the eyes to keep the face balanced and symmetrical.

Crown

For an extra touch of cuteness, you can add a little crown or crest of feathers on top of your bird's head. This can be as simple as drawing a few curved lines or zig-zags sticking up from the top of the head. This will give your bird some added character and charm.

Well done! Your bird's face is complete, and it's looking cuter than ever. Now, let's move on to drawing the legs and feet to give your bird a sturdy foundation to stand on.

Step 4: Add Legs and Feet

With the body and head of your cute bird drawn, it's time to give it some legs and feet to stand on. This step will also add more character and personality to your bird, making it look even more adorable.

Legs

Start by drawing two straight or slightly curved lines downwards from the bottom of your bird's body. The length of these lines will depend on the bird species you're drawing and your personal preference. Keep in mind that shorter legs will generally make your bird look cuter. Make sure the legs are spaced evenly apart to keep your bird balanced.

Feet

Now it's time to add the feet. For a simple and cute look, draw three toes on each foot. Begin by drawing a small "V" shape at the end of each leg, followed by two more "V" shapes on either side. This will create a three-toed foot, which is perfect for most cute bird drawings. If you're drawing a specific bird species, you might want to research the number of toes and their arrangement to make your drawing more accurate.

Great job! Your bird is now standing tall and looking fantastic. With all the main components in place, it's time to add some finishing touches by inking and coloring your drawing.

Step 5: Ink and Color

In this final step, we'll polish your cute bird drawing with inking and coloring. This will give your bird a vibrant and finished look, ensuring it stands out on the page. Grab your favorite pens or markers, and let's get started!

Inking

First, use a fine-tipped pen or marker to trace over your pencil lines. This will make your drawing stand out more and give it a clean, finished appearance. Make sure to let the ink dry for a few minutes before moving on to the next step to avoid smudging.

Once the ink is dry, carefully erase any remaining pencil marks. It's important to use a good quality eraser that won't damage your drawing or leave any smudges behind.

Coloring

Now comes the fun part—adding color to your cute bird! Choose your favorite coloring tools, such as colored pencils, markers, or even watercolors. Start by coloring the body, wings, and tail with your chosen colors. You can use bright, vibrant colors or more natural tones, depending on your preference and the bird species you're drawing.

Don't forget to add color to the eyes, beak, and legs! A little pop of color in these areas can really bring your bird to life.

Shading

For an extra touch of depth, add some shading to your bird. Use a slightly darker shade of your chosen colors to create shadows under the wings, around the eyes, and on the body. This will give your bird a more three-dimensional and realistic appearance.

And there you have it—your very own cute bird drawing! But don't stop here; there's always room for improvement and experimentation.

Final Tips and Tricks

Now that you know how to draw a cute bird, it's time to explore your artistic skills further. Here are some final tips and tricks to help you improve your bird-drawing abilities and make your artwork even more impressive.

Practice Makes Perfect

As with any new skill, practice is key to improvement. The more you draw cute birds, the better you'll become at capturing their unique features and personalities. Try drawing a variety of bird species to expand your repertoire and challenge yourself to capture their individual characteristics.

Experiment with Styles

Don't be afraid to try out different drawing styles and techniques. You might find that you prefer a more realistic approach, or perhaps you enjoy creating stylized, cartoon-like birds. Experimenting with various styles will help you find your artistic voice and make your bird drawings truly unique.

Finally, don't be shy about sharing your cute bird drawings with others. Whether you post them on social media, give them as gifts, or simply show them to friends and family, sharing your work can be a great way to receive feedback and encouragement. Plus, it's always fun to see other people's reactions to your creations!

With these tips and tricks in hand, you're well on your way to becoming a skilled cute bird artist. Keep practicing, experimenting, and sharing your work, and you'll continue to grow and improve as an artist. Happy drawing!

If you're interested in learning more about character design and want to create cute characters for your projects, check out the workshop called 'How to Create CUTE Character Design' by Alba. This workshop will provide you with valuable insights and techniques on how to create visually appealing and adorable character designs that will make your work stand out.