How To Draw A Penguin Step By Step
From their big black eyes to their bright orange beaks, these lovable birds are instantly recognizable. Drawing a penguin doesn’t have to be difficult – with a few basic shapes and some practice you can achieve a realistic looking drawing in nothing flat. Follow this step-by-step guide and you’ll be drawing penguins like a pro in no time!
Step 1: Draw an Oval
To start your drawing, sketch an oval that could represent the body of your penguin. Make sure it’s slightly elongated and that the sides aren’t completely round. Penguins have pointed bodies and your oval should reflect that.
Next, draw two circles on either side of the oval – these will become your penguin’s wings. Again, make sure both circles aren’t perfectly circular, but rather more of an egg-shape. You may want to draw guidelines for yourself so that all of the wings are even.
Step 2: Sketch Out the Head and Feet
Sketch the penguin’s head on the oval. Start by sketching out the beak, then carefully outline the eyes. Penguins usually have a pointed forehead, so make sure to keep that in mind when you’re sketching.
Next, draw two semi-circles at the bottom of the oval. Make sure that they don’t overlap the wings too much. This will be the base of your penguin’s feet. Remove any extra lines that may be overlapping.
Step 3: Outline the Body and Wings
Gently outline the shape of the body and wings. Follow the guidelines you created for yourself and draw the shapes to the best of your ability. Penguins have a little bit of a hunchback, so make sure to draw your lines accordingly.
Define the feathers around the wings and add some detailing around the beak and eyes. Use your lines to shape the wings and add a bit of depth to the drawing.
Step 4: Coloring
Now it’s time to add some color! Choose a shade of grey or black for the body and wings. Penguins can range in color from light to dark, so feel free to experiment a bit until you find a color that you like.
Once you define the body and wings with color, it’s time to add the beak and feet. Penguins usually have bright orange beaks and bright yellow or orange feet. Feel free to use contrasting colors to make your drawing stand out. You may also want to add some details such as eye circles or webbed feet.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Now you can finish off your drawing with a few more details. Use your pencil to add more feathers around the wings, and give your penguin some texture. Penguins have short, stiff feathers that allow them to stay insulated and waterproof in the coldest climates.
Finally, draw some shading and highlights to give your drawing a more earnest look. Penguins have light and dark areas around the body that give them added dimension, so make sure to draw those areas in carefully.
Step 6: Show Off Your Penguin
Now that your drawing is finished, it’s time to show it off! You can hand it off to a friend, post it online, or even print it out and display it in a frame. No matter how you decide to show off your work, you can be proud that you now know how to draw a penguin step by step.
