How To Draw A Cartoon Bird
Created | Updated May 17, 2005
There are many how-to books on drawing in publication today, the only problem with these is that, often times, the drawings won't look right if the reader is not able to draw perfect curves and lines. This is where the Cartoon Bird, which has been dubbed 'The Bird of History' because it was first discovered in an 11 grade history class, comes in handy for beginning artist, as the drawing looks even more like a cartoon character when the curves and lines are imperfect. These imperfections also give each drawing it's own flare; even when a practiced artist draws it, each drawing looks different, sometimes very much so, than the previous drawing.
How To Draw A Cartoon Bird:
Step 1:
On a piece of paper (of your choice, although if this is your first Cartoon Bird drawing it is suggested that you use wide-rule paper) choose a spot to begin your drawing, make sure it is somewhere around the middle so that you have room
It is probably a good idea to use pencil until you have got the hang of the process
Step 2:
Draw a circle, somewhere around the middle, that is about the size of two lines on wide-rule paper, or about 17 mm
Step 3:
Draw a second circle, which should be the same size as the first, to the right that overlaps the first one by about a half of a line on wide rule paper or about 5 mm
Step 4:
Starting at the bottom of the first circle, about 12 mm left of the point that the two circles you just drew overlap, draw a line at a forty-five degree angle, down and to the left, that is about 12 mm long; it should be about one line high and one line long, or about 9 mm by 9mm.
Step 5:
From the end of the curve draw a straight horizontal line to the right. This line should be just over one and a half lines in length, so that the line ends farther to the right than the curve began, or about 14 mm.
Step 6:
Beginning at the end of this line, make a curve that resembles a fishhook. This 'fishhook' should be at the end of the horizontal line you just drew while the end of the 'fishhook', or the eye of the hook, should be touching the right circle that you drew. This 'fishhook' should be about 27 mm wide at its widest point and about 27 mm tall, this is about four and a half lines tall by four and a half lines wide at its tallest.
Step 7:
At the bottom of the 'fishhook' draw two parallel vertical lines that are about 10 mm apart or one line width apart. At the end of each of these put an upside down 'V'.
Step 8:
About 1/2 mm to the right of the legs draw a tail on the bird, in the proper place for a tail to go. The tail should look like the spoon/fork part of a spork and should be about 7 mm long or about 2/3 of a line’s width.
Step 9:
Erase the part of the left circle that overlaps the right.
Step 10:
In each circle put a dot for the eye. For your first bird you should put the dots in the centre of each circle, after that it’s up to you.
Step 11:
Put a sideways 'V' in the middle of the 'fishhook' as a wing.
Step 12:
This is the fun step. First decide what type of expression your bird should have, then draw eyebrows just above the top of the eyes, for your first bird you should consider using slight arcs, but you could use any sort of line.
Here are some ideas for different emotions:
Surprise – Two arcs that are tilted slightly upward
Intrigue – Right eyebrow is normal arc while left has hump in the middle.
Anger – Two straight lines angled down towards the centre.
Worry – Two straight lines angled down towards the outside
Just remember that after you get the hang of drawing the Cartoon Bird you can change its size, make it hold objects like books, and create new expressions by creating your own eyebrow design!!!
