Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Quail" video after each step to draw at your own pace.

Time-Lapse (Speed Drawing) video:

Written step-by-step video tutorial:

For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.

Step 1: Draw a big circle as a guide for the first part of the quail's body. First draw four small marks to indicate the height and width of the circle, then connect the marks using curved lines. Sketch lightly at first so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake. But the circle doesn't have to be perfect. It's just a guide. If you do want a perfect circle, trace the outer rim of a glass, a cup or any other object with a circular edge.

Step 2: Draw another circle on the top, right side as a guide for the bird's head. This circle should be about one-fifth the size of the first one. Quails have long necks, so don't draw the head too close to the body.

Step 3: Inside the head, draw a curved horizontal line. This construction line will help you place the quail's facial features later.

Step 4: On the right side of the head, draw a line similar in shape to a greater-than sign (>) as a guide for the quail's beak.

Step 5: Draw two lines that connect the head to the body to create the guide for the quail's neck. Curve the lines to make the bird's neck more organic and less stiff.