Drawing a bird in flight is a creative way to practice motion, balance, and natural forms. Birds in the air often have wings stretched out, showing symmetry and graceful curves. Whether you’re drawing a simple sketch or a more detailed illustration, the process becomes easy once you understand the basic steps. All you need is paper, a pencil, and an eraser to begin. Here is how to draw a bird flying.
Start with the Body Shape
Begin by drawing a small oval or teardrop shape in the center of your paper. This will be the bird’s body. Tilt the shape slightly upward to give the impression that the bird is rising or soaring. At the narrow end of the body, lightly sketch a small circle for the head, and connect it to the body with a short neck line.
Sketch the Wings
To show that the bird is flying, draw two large, curved wings extending from both sides of the body. Each wing should rise upward in an arc before curving down slightly, forming a stretched “M” shape. Divide the wings into two sections—upper wing (near the body) and lower feathers (towards the tips). You can use soft curves and points to form the feathered ends.
Add the Tail and Beak
Draw a short, pointed beak extending from the head. Make sure it’s in line with the direction the bird is flying. At the bottom of the body, sketch a fanned-out tail with three or four pointed tips to represent feathers. The tail helps balance the bird’s flight and adds to the overall flow of the drawing.
Draw the Feathers
To make the bird more realistic, add feather lines along the wings. The upper part of the wings can have long curved lines to show the layering of feathers. The lower part of the wings can have a few sharp, separated tips to show movement and lightness.
Include Eyes and Legs (Optional)
If the bird is not too far away, you can add a small dot for an eye and light lines for legs, tucked close to the body. However, in most flying bird drawings, legs are usually hidden or barely visible.
Add Shading or Color
You can add light shading under the wings and tail to give the bird a three-dimensional look. If you choose to color it, use natural tones like grey, brown, white, or any shades you prefer for artistic effect.
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