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All the free art lessons on How2DrawAnimals.com are easy to follow; they teach you the basics while showing you how to render animals step by step. Each tutorial has a video tutorial option, as well as step-by-step photos and written text to follow. After you're done here, try another tutorial!
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To draw this bird step by step, follow along with the video tutorial below and pause the video after each step to go at your own pace. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step images below the video. The new lines in each step are shown in red, so you'll know exactly what to sketch next. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods. Take your time and create art at your own pace.
Written step-by-step video tutorial:
Start with Simple Lines and Shapes
Intro: For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.
Step 1: Sketch a circle as a guide for the front part of the hen's body.
DRAWING TIP: To draw a circle, first make four small marks for the height and width of the circle, and 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 circles don't have to be perfect. They're just guides.
Step 2: Pencil in the guide for the second half of the hen's body by first making a small mark on the right. Then connect the mark to the circle using curved lines so that it forms a big arc. The final combined shape should be similar to an egg. In this case, the egg came before the chicken!
Step 3: On the top, left side, make a small circle as a guide for the chicken's head. This circle should be about one-fifth the size of the first one. Don't put the circle too high up, otherwise the hen's neck will be too long.
Keep Building the Animal Slowly
Step 4: Inside the head, sketch two intersecting lines to help you place the hen's facial features later.
Step 5: To the left of the head, pencil in a small arc as a guide for the hen's beak.
Step 6: Draw a few more lines to complete the guide for the body. First create two curved lines that connect the head to the body to form the neck. Then sketch an angled, triangle- like line on the top, right side of the body as a guide for the hen's tail.
Finish Up the "Skeleton"
Step 7: Under the hen's body, sketch two angled lines as guides for the legs. The lines should be similar to a backward letter L. Don't make them too long.
That's it for the guides! From this point on, press harder with your pencil for a more defined drawing.
Now Add Details
Step 8: Inside the hen's head, lightly sketch a small circle for the eye. Use the initial lines as guides for placement. When you get the size and shape right, darken the lines. Inside the eye, off to the side, draw a tiny circle for glare and a big dot in the middle for the pupil. Add a few more lines to the side of the eye to make the shape wider. Create a few curved lines around the eye for the folds of skin. Add even more lines around the eye for extra detail on the bare wrinkled skin.
Step 9: Use the small arc on the left as a guide to draw the chicken's beak. Sketch the beak inside the arc. Follow the basic curvature of the arc but add an extra bump on top. Add a line through the middle that stretches toward the inside of the head for the mouth. The beak should be pointy at the tip. Add a curved line around the mouth on the right side. Draw a curved line at the bottom to complete the hen's beak and a small slit at the top for the nostril.
Step 10: Starting at the top of the beak, pencil in a series of curved lines for the crest or comb on the head. Use a wavy line to make the top part of the hen's comb. You can dip the "waves" more if you'd like. You can also add the comb farther back on the head, but don't draw it too tall or your hen will look like a rooster.
Step 11: Under the beak, draw a curved line for the fleshy section called the wattle. The hen's wattle shouldn't be too big. Add a few lines inside for extra detail.
Step 12: Use the initial circle as a guide to draw the rest of the head. Darken the edge of the circle to create the head. Use jagged lines for a feather- like texture. Add a few more lines inside the head for extra detail on the hen's feathers. Make a series of lines to the right of the eye for the patch of skin found there.
Step 13: Sketch a long, curved line inside the body for the hen's folded wing. Sketch lightly at first. When you get the shape right, darken the line. Add a series of lines along the edges for the individual feathers. The right side of the folded wing should be pointier than the left side.
Stay Patient and Keep Drawing - You're Almost There!
Step 14: Use the angled line under the body on the right side as a guide to create the hen's first leg. First pencil in a V-shaped line at the top for the feathery base. Then follow the path of the guide and draw the shape of the chicken's leg around it. On the left side, add three thin shapes that end in pointy tips for the toes. On the right side, draw a shorter, pointy shape for the fourth and final toe.
Step 15: Use the line on the left as a guide to render the hen's other leg the same way. First pencil in the base at the top, then follow the path of the guide to draw the rest of the leg. Just like before, create three toes pointing left and one pointing right. The toes and the leg overall should be a bit smaller than the other leg.
Step 16: Use the other initial shapes as guides to draw the rest of the hen's body. Simply darken the outer edges of the initial guide lines to create the shape of the body.
Step 17: Darken the left edge of the guide on the right for the first part of the chicken's tail. Add a series of curved lines as you follow the right edge of the guide for the tail feathers.
Step 18: For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of the guides. It's okay to leave some behind. Re-draw any final sketch lines you may have accidentally erased.
Now It's Time to Shade
Final Step: Add some shading to your hen drawing to give it more dimension and volume. Pick the direction of the light source when shading so that the shadows are consistent with it. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value. Add the value lightly at first, then gradually build up to the level of darkness that you want.
Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the hen so it doesn't appear to be floating.
You can add even more value throughout your chicken drawing for extra detail. You can also skip this step for an all-white chicken. Just add some value to the comb and wattle. Chickens can have a variety of patterns, so shade yours however you'd like. For this look, use a dark value on the head, neck and tail , and a medium value on the body.
Don't worry about shading too smoothly. The rough value gives the coat a feathery texture. Darken the shadows too. Shading can be time-consuming, so be patient and take breaks. It's always a good idea to use reference when you are creating art. Don't forget to pause the video to work at your own pace.
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