Remember that frustrating feeling when you tried to draw your pet parrot, and it ended up looking more like a confused chicken? Learning how to draw a parrot for kids doesn’t have to be difficult! This guide will take you through simple steps, providing you with the skills to create vibrant, realistic-looking parrots. By the end, you’ll be able to draw your own colorful feathered friends, improving your drawing skills and having lots of fun along the way.
Drawing the Parrot’s Body
This section focuses on creating the basic shape and structure of your parrot. We’ll cover the body, head, and tail, laying the foundation for a detailed drawing. You will learn how to proportion the different parts of the parrot’s body accurately.
Creating the Basic Shape
- Start with a slightly elongated oval for the body. Imagine it’s the parrot’s torso, slightly wider at the chest and tapering towards the tail. This oval will provide the foundation upon which the rest of your parrot will be built. Think of a slightly tilted egg shape for the ideal body form. Accurate representation of the body’s form is key to a successful parrot drawing.
- Next, add a smaller circle for the head, connected to the body. The head should be roughly a third the size of the body. Make sure it’s slightly offset from the center of the body to give your parrot a more dynamic pose, as parrots rarely sit completely symmetrically. Observe reference images to enhance your understanding of the relationship between the head and body size.
- Finally, sketch a long, slightly curved shape for the tail feathers emanating from the bottom of the body. The tail’s length and curve will vary depending on the type of parrot you’re drawing. Many species have long, elegant tails, while others have shorter, more rounded ones. Referencing photos of various species will help.
Adding Details to the Body
Here, we’ll refine the parrot’s body shape, adding subtle curves and details to bring it to life.
- Add a subtle curve to the underside of the body to suggest a rounded belly. Parrots aren’t flat; they have a pleasing three-dimensional form. This curve is important to give a sense of volume to the drawing.
- Lightly sketch in the legs, positioned slightly underneath the body’s center. They should be relatively short and sturdy, suitable for perching. The legs generally sit about halfway down the body. The position of the legs will depend on the pose you choose for your parrot.
- For the neck, connect the head to the body with a gently curved line. The neck’s length will vary depending on the parrot species. Most parrots have relatively short necks but not so short that it appears they are headless.
Drawing the Parrot’s Head and Beak
The head and beak are distinctive features of a parrot. This section shows you how to draw them accurately, capturing their unique characteristics.
Drawing the Beak
- The parrot’s beak is a strong, hooked structure. Start by drawing a slightly curved triangle on the front of the head. This triangle will form the upper beak of your parrot. The size and curvature of the beak will differ across various parrot species. A larger upper beak indicates a stronger bird.
- Below the upper beak, draw a smaller, slightly overlapping triangle. This is the lower beak. Ensure the lower beak is slightly shorter and less curved than the upper one. The relative proportions of the upper and lower beak help to define the species.
- Add a small circle where the beak meets the head, representing the nostrils. Parrot nostrils are typically small and barely visible, so don’t overemphasize them. Overemphasizing certain elements can detract from the overall appeal of the drawing.
Adding the Eyes and Facial Features
The eyes and facial features will bring personality to your parrot. Make sure these parts work in harmony with the rest of the parrot.
- Draw two small, round eyes on either side of the beak. Position them slightly towards the upper part of the head. Parrot eyes are relatively small in proportion to their heads. They have a round and alert expression.
- Add tiny details within the eyes, like a small dot to suggest a pupil. Too much detail in the eyes can overwhelm the rest of the drawing. Keep the eyes simple but expressive. Their overall color and expression matter.
- Optionally, you can add a small line or two near the base of the beak to represent feathered patches around the cheeks or jawline. Remember these lines should look feather-like and blend smoothly into the overall shape.
Adding Feathers and Details to Your Parrot Drawing
This is where your parrot will truly come alive. We’ll focus on adding feathers and textural details to create a realistic appearance.
Feather Patterns and Texture
- Start by lightly sketching the basic shape of the main wing feathers. They should radiate from the body in an overlapping pattern. Parrot wing feathers are long and curved, and vary widely by species; research is recommended. Consider the size and shape of the bird.
- Add more detail to the feathers by drawing individual lines within each feather to create a textured effect. These lines should be short, curving strokes, following the direction of the feathers. Individual lines add the illusion of feathers.
- You can add more complex feather patterns once the basic shapes are in place. Some parrots have vibrant, contrasting colors in their feathers, while others have more subtle patterns. Research is key to achieve accuracy.
Adding Color and Shading
Coloring your parrot is the final and most enjoyable step. Use your imagination and have fun.
- Choose your colors carefully. Parrots are known for their vibrant plumage, so choose a mix of bright and contrasting colors. The colors of parrots can vary widely.
- Consider adding shading to create depth and dimension in your drawing. Use darker shades to create shadows and highlight areas of the drawing that are slightly recessed.
- Use different shades of your chosen colors to add more depth to the feathers. This creates the illusion of texture and dimension in the feather shapes.
Different Types of Parrots to Draw
There are many different types of parrots, each with its own unique characteristics. This section will cover some popular options to help you get started.
Macaws
Macaws are known for their large size and vibrantly colored feathers. They are relatively easy to draw due to their striking color patterns.
- Start by drawing the basic body shape as described earlier, slightly longer and more curvaceous than smaller parrots.
- Macaws have long, pointed tails, so make sure to emphasize this feature. The tail is often the most prominent feature.
- Focus on the bold color combinations. Use bright yellows, blues, reds, and greens to create a truly spectacular macaw.
Cockatoos
Cockatoos are known for their distinctive crests. These birds require a little more attention to detail to capture their unique features accurately.
- Begin by drawing the basic parrot shape, noting the relatively small beak compared to their body size.
- Draw the crest on top of the head. It’s usually a prominent feature that rises from the forehead and curves backward.
- Consider adding subtle shading to create a more realistic-looking feather texture in the crest.
Parakeets
Parakeets are small and often have simpler color patterns. They are great options for beginners.
- Draw a smaller and more streamlined body compared to macaws or cockatoos.
- Focus on the details of their shorter beaks and slimmer legs.
- Their wings are slightly more compact, so keep them proportionally smaller.
FAQ
What materials do I need to draw a parrot?
You’ll need paper, pencils (or crayons, markers, colored pencils!), and an eraser. Reference photos of parrots will also be helpful.
How do I make my parrot look realistic?
Focus on the details! Pay close attention to the feather patterns, the shape of the beak, and the overall proportions of the bird. Use shading to add depth.
What if my parrot doesn’t look perfect?
Don’t worry! Drawing takes practice. Keep trying, and you’ll improve with each attempt. The most important thing is to have fun!
What are some good resources for learning more about drawing parrots?
Search online for “parrot drawing tutorials” or “how to draw birds.” You can also look at books on animal drawing.
Can I use digital tools to draw a parrot?
Yes! Many digital drawing programs (like Procreate or Krita) are great for drawing parrots. These programs can provide different tools to help.
What is the best way to learn to draw different parrot species?
Look at pictures! Find reference images online or in books and observe how different parrot species differ in size, shape, color, and features.
Final Thoughts
Drawing a parrot may seem daunting, but by breaking it down into smaller steps and focusing on the basic shapes and feather patterns, you’ll be surprised at how easily you can create a vibrant and realistic-looking parrot. Remember to have fun and experiment with different colors and styles. Practice makes perfect, so keep drawing and soon you will be creating amazing parrot artworks! Don’t be afraid to try different types of parrots and experiment with your own unique style.
