Owls are a popular subject for drawing and painting, loved for their unique facial features and intricate feather patterns.
While they may seem daunting to draw at first, you can learn how to draw an owl in just 7 easy steps.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to drawing owls in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process.
How to Draw an Owl – Let’s Begin!
When learning to draw an owl, it’s essential to understand their unique anatomy and features.
An owl has a large rounded head and skull with a small pointed beak.
Their eyes are set more forward than other birds, with a ring of short feathers surrounding the face.
Owls have a very flexible neck, which allows them to rotate their head 270 degrees. They have solid talons for grasping prey.
Their bodies are covered in layered, fluffy feathers.
Now, let’s delve deeper into how to draw an owl step by step.
1. Steps on How to Draw an Owl
Step 1: Start with Basic Shapes
Start by drawing a curved line for the top of the head.
Then, draw the ears to look like two triangles, as you can see in the picture.
Step 2: Drawing the Owl’s Head
Now, add curved lines to block the flat face, which will help place the facial features.
These initial shapes will serve as a guide for refining the proportions and positioning of the owl’s body parts.
Take your time with this step, as a well-constructed foundation will make the rest of the process much smoother.
Step 3: Draw the Wings
An owl would only be complete with its wings. Let’s outline the primary wing structure extending from the body.
Sketch a curved half-diamond shape for the wings. Refine their size, angles, and perspectives at this stage.
Use some curved lines on the outer edge to form the wings as they appear in the picture.
Step 4: Draw the Feet and Talons
Draw a wide “U” or “V” shape for the owl’s feet, peeking out from the underside of the body. Make them proportional to the head size.
Extend three thick curving talons from the branch point of each foot. Sharpen them to fine points rather than round bumps. Add smaller toes behind.
Draw lines across each foot to indicate feathers or texture. Erase any unnecessary lines between toes to keep them distinct.
Your owl now stands firmly on dangerous talons. You can leave them without color or opt for yellow-highlighted talons.
Step 5: Next, Draw in the Face of the Owl
Now, it’s time to transform our bare owl head into recognizable facial features.
The eyes fall along the top horizontal guideline. Position two large teardrop shapes near the vertical center lines. Leave the front parts white for highlights.
Add a short, curved triangle beak extending from the bottom of the head.
Step 6: Add Feathers
Now, we’ll transform the basic owl drawing into a fluffy, textured bird by adding feathers.
Draw feather tufts sprouting above each eye at an angle. Make them slightly curved with fluffy, uneven edges. These tufts give owls their iconic “ears.”
On the chest where the wing meets the body, sketch messy curved lines radiating outward.
Step 7: Color your Owl Drawing
Now that we’ve successfully this guide on how to draw an owl, it’s time to bring your cute owl art to life with color!
Owls come in various colors, so feel free to use different shades of brown, gray, or even vibrant colors for a more creative approach.
More Ways to Learn Drawing an Owl
In addition, I have developed various methods for drawing owls to provide you with ample practice opportunities.
As you draw from one method to another, you will notice your interpretive skills growing.
This progression will ultimately propel you toward mastery of the art of owl drawing.
2. How to Draw a Cute Owl
This drawing method offers a simplified approach to owl drawing, emphasizing basic shapes and step-by-step instructions.
In this version, the focus is on incorporating simple patterns into the wings, adding just enough detail to suggest the texture of the feathers without overwhelming beginner artists.
As a result, this method acts as a bridge, facilitating the progression from basic to more intricate drawings by introducing fundamental design elements in a clear and accessible manner.
>>>Read more: How To Draw An Eagle – Easy Step By Step Guide
3. How to Draw a Simple Owl
This owl drawing method demonstrates a simplified and stylized approach, often known as the kawaii style.
The kawaii style is renowned for its adorable appeal to a child-like aesthetic.
This particular style incorporates rounded shapes, straightforward lines, and cheerful facial expressions.
The step-by-step process begins with basic geometric shapes like circles and ovals to construct the body, followed by the addition of large, rounded wings.
This method is prevalent among children and beginners, as it offers simplicity and yields an endearing result.
>>>Read more: How to Draw a Chicken – Easy Step by Step Guide
Tips and Trick for Owl Drawing
Drawing owls does take some specialized techniques. Apply these tips to make your owl drawings stand out:
An owl’s eyes are its most striking feature. Master drawing enlarged teardrop eyes, heavy shading around them, and defined contrasts.
Study photos of lifelike owls to learn proper head-to-body ratios, beak size, feather patterns, and more. Apply what you see.
Practice experimenting with these techniques to improve your overall owl drawing abilities over time.
Your Owl Drawing is Complete!
This step-by-step tutorial gave you a helpful overview of how to draw an owl from start to finish!
It may look tricky, but it breaks down into very approachable stages.
With a bit of guidance and plenty of practice, anyone can master drawing owls.
The key is starting with basic shapes and then gradually layering details piece by piece.
Before you know it, those simple lines have transformed into a proud owl full of personality.
Getting comfortable with their signature eyes, feathers, feet, and proportions is what brings them to life.
With some practice following these seven steps to guide you on how to draw an owl, you’ll be creating charming owls in your style.
>>>Read more: How To Draw A Flamingo
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