Drawing a realistic ruby-throated hummingbird requires careful observation of the bird’s unique features. Ruby-throated hummingbirds have iridescent plumage in vibrant greens and reds, a long slender beak, and tiny feet. Capturing their slender silhouette and rapid wing movements takes practice. With the right techniques and tools, anyone can learn to draw these beautiful, fast-flying birds.
Tools Needed
Here are the basic tools you’ll need to draw a ruby-throated hummingbird:
- Drawing paper – Smooth paper works best for detailed pencil drawings. Bristol paper and mixed media paper are good choices.
- Pencils – You’ll want pencils in a range of hardnesses like 2H, HB, and 2B. Harder pencils are good for initial sketching. Softer pencils help blend and shade.
- Eraser – A kneaded eraser can gently lift graphite off the page while leaving soft shading intact.
- Blending stump – Blending stumps or tortillons can smooth shading for a polished look.
- Ruler – Use a ruler to check proportions while sketching the initial outline.
- Coloring supplies (optional) – Colored pencils, markers, or watercolor paints can add vibrant color after the outline is complete.
Gather your drawing tools and reference photos before you start. You may need to try several practice sketches on scratch paper to warm up and get a feel for the proportions.
Step 1: Sketch the Body
Let’s begin constructing our hummingbird drawing by sketching the body:
- Lightly sketch an oval shape tilted upward for the hummingbird’s body.
- Add a long tapered oval reaching downward for the tail.
- Extend a short, slender oval from the upper body for the neck and head.
- Sketch two short parallel lines angled downward from the shoulders for the wings.
Check your proportions with a ruler. Hummingbirds have long slender tails that account for up to half their body length. Their wings may span 5-6 inches tip to tip.
As you outline the body, look for the axis – an imaginary line running vertically through the center. This will help keep the top and bottom symmetrical.
Step 2: Refine the Shape
Now we can begin refining the body’s shape:
- Erase guide lines and unnecessary sketch marks.
- Curve the tail up slightly at the corners.
- Shape the body to be slightly fuller at the chest.
- Add a tapered stroke on each wing for primary flight feathers.
- Sketch the forked tail, following reference photos closely.
Take your time at this stage to outline the characteristic silhouette of a hummingbird in flight. Observe the way the chest curves gracefully into the tapered tail.
Step 3: Draw the Head and Beak
The head and beak complete the body:
- Sketch a small oval for the head, in proportion to the body.
- Add a long, slender triangle extending from the lower face for the beak.
- Refine the triangular beak’s shape, keeping it slightly upturned.
- Draw a dot on each side of the head for the eyes.
A hummingbird’s long specialized beak allows it to access nectar from flowers. The beak accounts for about 1/3 of their entire body length. Capture this elongated, tapered shape accurately.
Step 4: Add Details to the Wings
Now we can bring more life to the wings:
- Outline each wing with slender, tapered strokes for the primary flight feathers.
- Add a layer of shorter lines overlapping the primaries to depict secondary feathers.
- Draw tiny strokes along the leading edges for tertiary feathers.
- Add a few subtle lines on the inner wings to suggest downy feather texture.
Keep the wing feathers streamlined and slender like the hummingbird’s body. The tapering and layering of feathers aerodynamically support their ability to hover and fly backwards.
Step 5: Draw the Legs and Feet
Hummingbirds have tiny feet used mostly for perching:
- Sketch two parallel lines for the legs extending from the belly.
- Add wedge-shaped feet at the ends of the legs, each with three tiny toes.
- Draw claws curving down from the toes.
The feet should be very small in proportion to the rest of the body. Leaving white highlights along the legs and feet will give them a reflective, rounded form.
Step 6: Add Color (Optional)
Once your outline is refined, you can start adding color if desired:
- Choose a green color palette for the head, back, and tail.
- Use shades of gray for the belly, wings, and legs.
- Pick vivid reds and oranges for the throat patch.
- Add touches of blue or purple to the neck for iridescence.
Watercolor or colored pencils work well for smooth color gradations. Avoid going over the pencil outline to retain definition of the details.
Tips for Drawing Hummingbirds
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind while drawing hummingbirds:
- Use photo references for accuracy. Study the colors, patterns, body proportions, and feather textures.
- Start with light sketch lines to plot out the pose. Darken and refine lines gradually as you establish the form.
- Look for the axis and check proportions with a ruler as you sketch.
- Add layers of tapering strokes to build up the wings realistically.
- Convey rapid motion by angling the body and blurring wing edges.
- Blend colored pencil layers carefully to mimic iridescent plumage.
With observation and practice, you’ll gain skills for drawing hummingbirds of all shapes, sizes, and personalities.
Common Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Features
Keep these characteristic features in mind while drawing ruby-throated hummingbirds:
- Slender silhouettes and long beaks
- Shimmering red throats on the males
- Bright green upperparts and pale grey undersides
- Wings that can beat up to 50 times per second
- Tiny feet and legs with sharp talons for perching
- Long tapered tails accounting for up to half their body length
Capturing their elegant form and iridescent colors through drawing allows a glimpse into the beauty of these energetic creatures. With practice, you can depict them realistically at rest or in graceful flight.
Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes when drawing hummingbirds:
- Outlining the body before establishing proper proportions
- Making the legs and feet too large
- Not leaving white highlights along the legs, feet, and beak
- Failing to taper the beak gradually to a sharp point
- Drawing the wings as flat ovals rather than layered, tapered feathers
- Not overlapping feathers enough or layering them randomly
- Applying harsh color transitions rather than smooth gradients
Adjusting proportions, vary pressure for smooth gradients, and using an eraser to lift highlights can help fix these issues in your drawings.
Conclusion
Drawing hummingbirds takes careful observation of their unique features, body proportions, and feather patterns. Start by lightly sketching the pose, refining the characteristic silhouette, and adding details. Layer the wings and tail feathers, draw the tiny feet, and add shimmering colors if desired. With practice and the right techniques, you can create beautiful, realistic hummingbird art to treasure.