Owls are a fun animal to learn how to draw, especially for kids. With big eyes and cute shapes, owls make for great doodles and drawings. The best part about drawing an owl is that they are pretty easy to sketch! With just simple shapes and a few details, you can create adorable owl art in no time.
In this step-by-step tutorial, we will show you how to draw a cute, cartoon owl that is perfect for young artists. With easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll learn how to draw an owl in a few simple steps. Let’s get started!
Supplies Needed
To draw a simple owl, you will need:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Eraser (optional)
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons for coloring (optional)
The great thing is you don’t need any fancy art supplies. Regular printer paper and a standard No. 2 pencil will work just fine. Crayons, markers, or colored pencils can be used to add color when you are done, but are not necessary.
Step 1: Draw the Basic Shapes
Let’s start by drawing simple shapes that will form the base of the owl drawing:
- Draw a large circle in the middle of your paper for the head
- Add a pear-like shape below it for the body
- Draw a smaller circle on each side of the head for the eyes
- Sketch out two triangle shapes for the wings
Make sure to leave enough space between the shapes for adding details later. Lightly sketch the shapes so they are easy to erase. You should have a basic owl figure now.
Step 2: Add the Facial Features
Now let’s start adding the fun details to the owl’s face!
- Draw the owl’s beak like an upside down V below the eyes
- Add a sideways V shape above each eye for the eyebrows
- Draw an oblong/oval shape on the front of each eye for the pupils
- Add little triangle shapes for the feet
You can make the beak pointier for a more realistic look or rounded for a cartoon appearance. Play around with different eyes shapes like circles, ovals, and almonds.
Step 3: Draw the Ears and Wings
Let’s finish up the features of the owl:
- On each side of the head, sketch a sideways C shape for the ears
- Draw lines across the wings to form feather shapes
- Add lines on the belly for a textured look
Make sure the ears go above the eyes with one ear higher than the other. Outline the wings and play around with different feather shapes and patterns.
Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches
Now it’s time to finish up your cute cartoon owl!
- Finish any erased guide lines and darken the main outlines
- Draw extra details like tufts of feathers, heart shapes, or bows (get creative!)
- Color in your owl with crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- Outline with marker for a pop of contrast (optional)
Add any other fun details that make your owl unique! If you want, you can draw a whole owl family or owl friends for them to interact with.
Tips for Drawing an Easy Owl
Here are some extra tips to help you master drawing a simple owl:
- Use light, smooth pencil lines for the initial sketch
- Start with basic shapes like circles, ovals, triangles
- Draw guide lines to help you place the features correctly
- Use reference photos of real owls for accuracy
- Make the eyes big and round for a cute look
- Play with different facial expressions and poses
- Use wispy strokes to draw the feathers
- Outline with marker for a graphic art style (optional)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes when drawing owls:
- Making the body too small for the head
- Placing the eyes too low on the head
- Not leaving enough room for the ear tufts
- Forgetting to add feather detail
- Making the wings too small
To avoid these issues, lightly sketch the eyes, beak, ears, and body first to make sure you have the right proportions before drawing the details. Use triangles and guides to correctly place the facial features. Leaving everything light and sketchy at first makes it easy to fix mistakes!
Conclusion
And there you have it – an easy way to draw a cute owl! With simple shapes, expressive eyes, fun details, and color, you can create charming owls that are perfect for doodling or finishing up with artistic styles. The key is starting with basic forms using light pencil lines before adding the specifics. Let your creativity fly and develop your own unique owl characters!
Owls make for great art projects for kids and beginners. With practice, you can develop your own artistic style and have fun drawing these wise birds. Their large eyes and soft feathers allow for all kinds of creative interpretations. So grab a pencil and paper and hoot away! Who doesn’t want to draw adorable images of big-eyed owls?
More Tips for Drawing Animals
Once you get the hang of it, try drawing other animals! Here are quick tips for drawing more creatures and pets:
Cats
- Start with an oval for the head and add triangles for ears
- Use curves and ovals for the body, legs, tail
- Add almond shapes for eyes and a sideways Y for the nose
- Lightly sketch whiskers, paws, and fur markings
Dogs
- Start with cloud or boxy shapes for the head and body
- Use ovals for the snout, eyes, ears, and tail
- Add curves and ovals for the legs
- Sketch markings, fur, tongue, and collar
Bunnies
- Use a sphere/oval for the head and cloud shapes for the body
- Draw ovals for the eyes, nose, and feet
- Add curved triangle ears on top of the head
- Sketch in fur markings using short strokes
Elephants
- Start with cloud shapes for the head, body, legs
- Draw curves and ovals for the ears, trunk, tusks
- Add almond eyes and short strokes for wrinkles
- Sketch patterns for the skin
Pandas
- Use ovals for the head, ears, legs, and body
- Circle eyes and upside down U for nose
- Add cloud shapes for the black paw pads
- Lightly sketch the facial markings
You can draw tons of animals just by breaking them down into simple shapes. Use guides and reference photos to perfect your proportions. The more you practice, the better you will get. Soon you will be able to draw cute creatures from your imagination with ease. So grab your pencil and start sketching your favorite furry friends!
Frequently Asked Questions
What supplies do I need to draw an owl?
You just need a pencil, paper, and an eraser to draw a simple owl. Optional supplies include markers, colored pencils, and crayons for adding color when you are done.
What shapes do I start with when drawing an owl?
Start by drawing basic shapes like circles for the head and eyes, ovals for the body, triangles for the wings, and teardrops for the ears.
How can I draw the owl’s facial features correctly?
Use guide lines to correctly place the eyes, beak, ears, and feathers. Look at photos of owls for reference. Start everything light and sketchy in case you need to erase and adjust.
What are some tips for drawing the wings and feathers?
Use a series of V and U shaped lines to create the wings and add texture. Draw the feathers using quick, wispy strokes. Outline the wings for definition.
What makes owl eyes look cute and realistic?
Draw big almond or oval eyes about halfway down the head. Add round pupils and eyelid shapes. Position eyebrows above and close to the eyes.
How can I give my owl more personality?
Experiment with different facial expressions, ear positions, feather patterns and fun accessories. Give your owl a cute tilted head or silly outfit.
Owl Drawing Ideas and Inspiration
Once you master the basics, let your creativity soar by drawing unique owl designs. Here are some fun ideas and inspirations to spark your artistic expression:
- Draw an owl wearing a graduation cap and glasses for a smart look
- Sketch owls with hearts and flowers for a cute Valentine’s theme
- Create a fall autumn owl with scarves and leaves
- Draw a snowy winter owl with a fuzzy hat and mittens
- Fashion owl earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry
- Make owls holding letters to spell out names or words
- Invent wacky owls with crazy hairstyles, clothes, and props
- Draw owl families, flocks, or forest friends
- Create fantasy or mythical owls like a wizard, steampunk, or dragon owl
The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating and designing fun owl art. Customize your owls with themes for holidays, seasons, special occasions, characters, or anything you can think up. Let those creative ideas take flight!