How To Draw A Hummingbird Step By Step
Have you ever seen a hummingbird in person? From their vibrant colors to their graceful movements, it’s no doubt why they have been referred to as the “jewels of the sky”. As a longtime admirer of the species, I’m often reminded of the delightfully whimsical creature whenever I see them. It only makes sense why I would want to capture their beauty on paper. And the great thing is that doing so isn’t too daunting at all! If you’re interested in learning how to draw a hummingbird step by step, you’ve come to the right place.
Materials Needed
The great thing about pencil drawing is that it’s an incredibly simple art form. You don’t need to purchase thousands of dollars worth of supplies to learn how to draw a hummingbird. All you really need are basic materials such as: a pencil, eraser, sharpener, paper, ruler, and a blending stump.
Sketch the Basic Outline
Get your pencil ready and begin sketching the basic outline of the birds body. Include the wings and tail which will help you determine the size of the body. As you trace the shape of the bird, feel free to lighten the lines with your eraser. Doing so will make it easier to fix mistakes and create a cleaner sketch. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Shade in the Hummingbird’s Body
Once you’ve finished tracing the basic outline of the bird’s body, choose the right pencil grade to start shading in the details. For a hummingbird, use a H grade pencil as it will help you easily draw the intricate details of the feathering and subtle none-linear curves. As you press down on the pencil and shade, be gentle. This will help you achieve a soft and delicate look rather than a harsh, rigid realism.
Add the Details with Pen and Ink
Once you’ve perfected the shape and shading of your hummingbird drawing, take a pen and add the details. Without the shading, the details can get lost in the hum of colors in the bird’s wings. To make things easier, zoom in on each wing and add the feather details one at a time. Additionally, don’t forget to add the distinguishable lines in the tail feathers using a ruler. Once you’re finished, use a blending stump to further soften the colors.
Create the Hummingbird’s Face
Creating the hummingbird’s face is possibly the most important step in the entire process. To make the face come to life, you’ll want to define the eyes, beak, and mouth. Keep the eyes large and use a blackish-brown color to create a softer look. Afterwards, draw the beak and mouth. Here, use an X-Acto knife to further define the bird’s patterns of beak and facial feathers. Be sure to use delicate strokes to draw the details of the face to stay consistent with the overall look of the bird.
Add Some Color and Finishing Touches
Once you have finished creating the hummingbird’s face, you can begin adding color. Be sure to use vibrant colors so they can pop against the white piece of paper. You can always use a metallic colored pen to further define the exit of thebird’s face and wings. Lastly, you’ll want to add some finishing touches to complete your hummingbird drawing. Here you can use a white gel pen to add sparkle to the eye and feathering of the bird. Additionally, add some swirls to the wings to give it some added character.
Sketch Out the Background
Adding a background to your hummingbird drawing will help fill out the entire painting. To make the bird stand out, choose a bright colored paper or a textured canvas. Create patterns or use crayons to fill in the background. Don’t be afraid to be creative here! You can always use the same colors you used to shade the bird. To add depth, use a darker shade of the same color at the edges of the background.
Frame it Up
Your hummingbird drawing is finally complete! Before you start showing off your work of art, add a finishing touch by framing it up. This will make the artwork look more tidy, professional and also serve as a nice reminder of how far you’ve come. There are plenty of frame types to choose from depending on your personal preference. You can choose from a classic wooden frame or pick a modern twist with a light-box frame. Once your hummingbird drawing is framed, it’s ready to be hung up or gifted.
