In this free art lesson, you'll learn how to draw a Western Meadowlark step-by-step.

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All of the tutorials on How2DrawAnimals.com are good drawing tutorials for beginners and experienced artists alike. The online tutorials are easy to follow; they teach you the how to draw basics while showing you how to draw animals step by step. Each animal has a video drawing tutorial option, as well as step-by-step photos and written text to follow.

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To draw this Meadowlark step by step, follow along with the video tutorial below and pause the video after each step to draw at your own pace. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step drawings below the video. The new lines in each step are shown in red, so you'll know exactly what to draw next. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods. Take your time and draw at your own pace.

Below you can watch a Narrated 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 so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake.

Step 1: Start by drawing a circle as a guide for the top part of the meadowlark's body. To draw the circle, first make four marks to determine the height and width. Then connect the marks using curved lines. Sketch lightly at first so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake. If you're struggling to draw the circle, just trace the outer rim of a circular object like a coin or a bottle cap. For a more detailed guide on the different ways to draw a circle check out this tutorial: Four simple ways to draw a circle.

Step 2: On the lower, left side of the circle, draw a big arc as a guide for the bottom half of the western meadowlark's body. Pay attention to the position and size of this arc in relation to the circle. The combined shape of both guides should be similar to an egg. On the top, left side, draw a small circle as a guide for the head. This circle should be about half the size of the first circle.

Step 3: Inside the head, draw a two intersecting lines that are similar to a plus sign. These are guide lines that will help you place the bird's facial features later on. On the right side of the head circle, draw a long, thin triangular shape as a guide for the beak. Pay attention to how long this guide is in relation to the head.

Step 4: Draw two curved lines that connect the head to the body to create the guide for the meadowlark's neck. The bottom part of the neck should be wider than the top. On the lower, left side of the body, draw a triangular line as a guide for the tail. Don't draw the guide for the tail too long. Under the body, draw a sloping line as a guide for the leg. At the bottom of the leg, draw a short, horizontal line as a guide for the foot. Pay attention to the length of this guide in relation to the body.

That's it for the guidelines! From this point on, press down harder with your pencil for a more defined drawing.

Step 5: Inside the head, on the top, right side, lightly sketch a small circle for the western meadowlark's eye. When you get the size and position of the eye right, darken the lines. Inside the eye, off to the side draw a tiny circle for a highlight. In the middle of the eye, draw a slightly bigger circle and shade it in for the pupil. Don't overlap the tiny highlight circle as you shade in the pupil. Add a few small, curved lines around the bird's eye for a bit of the bare skin and corners of the eyes.

Step 6: Darken the triangular guide on the right to create the shape of the bird's beak. Make the tip of the beak pointy and draw a line across the middle of the shape for the actual mouth. To the left of the beak, draw a series o short strokes for the feathery base. Inside the top part of the beak, draw a tiny circle for the nostril. Add a short stroke too for a groove.