Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Macaw" 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 circle near the top of the page as a guide for the first part of the macaw'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 to draw a perfect circle, trace the outer rim of a cup, a lid or any other object with a circular edge.

 

Step 2: Draw a big U-shaped arc on the lower right side of the circle as a guide for the middle part of the macaw's body. Pay attention to the size of the arc in relation to the circle. Don't make the arc too short.

 

Step 3: Draw another circle on the top left side as a guide for the macaw's head. This circle should be smaller than the first one, about half the size. Don't place the circle too far away from the body, otherwise the bird's neck will be too long.

 

Step 4: Draw two intersecting lines inside the head to help you place the macaw's facial features later.

 

Step 5: Draw a short vertical line under the head that connects to the body for the first part of the neck. Now draw a curved line from the top of the head to the right side of the macaw's body to complete the neck.

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Step 6: Draw another arc on the lower right side as a guide for the bottom part of the macaw's body. This arc should be long and thin. It should be about the same length as the first circle and arc combined.

 

Step 7: Draw a short curved line that's similar to the letter C on its side as a guide for the macaw's feet. Draw a long diagonal line on the lower right side as a guide for the bird's tail.

 

That's it for the initial sketch! From this point on, press harder with your pencil to get a more defined sketch.

 

Step 8: Lightly sketch a small circle inside the macaw's head for the eye. Use the construction lines as guides for placement. When you get the size and placement of the eye right, darken the circle. Inside the eye, on the top right, draw a small circle to represent glare. In the middle, add a big dot for the pupil. Draw a few curved lines around the eye for the folds of bare skin.

 

Step 9: Use the initial circle as a guide to draw the top part of the macaw's beak. Follow the path of the circle as you create the top edge of the beak but draw the line a bit lower, outside of the circle. Draw the base of the beak as a curved line on the left side of the horizontal construction line. Now draw the bottom edge of the top beak as a wavy line that meets the first line outside of the initial circle. The lines should connect outside of the circle on the lower left side and form the pointy tip of the beak.

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Step 10: Draw a couple of curved line s under the top beak for the macaw's open mouth. Follow the curvature of the initial circle to draw the lower edge of the beak. Now add a wavy line on the right side for the base of the beak.

 

Step 11: Use the remaining shapes and lines as guides to draw the rest of the macaw's head. Simply follow the outer edges of the guides as you darken the lines to create the shape of the head. Use a series of quick, short strokes as you darken the right side for the bird's feathers sticking up.

 

Step 12: Draw a wavy line on the macaw's head for the separation of the feathers and the bare skin on the face. The line should be made up of quick, short strokes to represent the feathery texture. The line should start on the top left side of the head, then curve around the eye and end on the right side of the bottom beak.

 

Step 13: Draw the macaw's folded wing using a series of curved lines inside the body. Draw a curved line across the middle of the initial circle for the left edge of the folded wing. Now draw a series of curved vertical lines on the bottom that go toward the right side of the body for the feathers. Follow the basic path of the guides as you draw a line on the right for the other edge of the bird's folded wing.

 

Step 14: Use more curved vertical lines below the line in the previous step for the middle part of the macaw's folded wing. The group of curved vertical lines should slope diagonally to the lower right side of the body. Draw the right edge of the folded wing by following the basic path of the guides and drawing a wavy line on the right. Draw a diagonal line on the left to meet the line on the right and form the pointy tip of the bird's folded wing on the bottom.

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Step 15: Use the small curved line near the middle of the body as a guide to draw the bird's feet. Draw the shape of the foot and toes around the guide. The ends of the toes should be pointy for the nails. Draw an extra curved line above the foot for the macaw's other foot's toes peeking from behind.

 

Step 16: Darken the outer edges of the remaining guides to finish the shape of the body. Draw a long curved line on the left side of the body for the macaw's other folded wing peeking from behind.

 

Step 17: Draw a vertical line under the wing for the lower part of the body. Add a diagonal line to the left made up of quick, short strokes. Now draw a few more vertical lines for the individual feathers on the lower part of the body. Use the initial diagonal line as a guide and draw the shape of the tail around it. Macaws' tails are a lot longer, but we'll make this one shorter so it fits in the page.

 

Step 18 (optional): Draw a few lines under the feet for a branch so that the macaw has something to stand on. Draw an oval-like shape that's made up of jagged lines for the end of the branch.

 

Step 19: 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 that you may have accidentally erased.

 

Final Step: Blue and yellow macaws are colorful, so instead of the usual shading, color your drawing. Use black for the beak but leave a curved strip blank at the top to represent shine. Use black to add a series of curved lines under the eye for a few feathers. Add some green to the forehead.

Color the macaw's back, folded wings and tail light blue. Add the color lightly at first. Be careful not to add the blue to the underside of the bird's body or to the right of the face. Add some dark blue right on top and push hard on your pencil to blend both blues together. The blue on the bottom of the wings and tail should be darker to give the body more volume. Use a blend of yellow, light brown and yellow-orange for the underside of the body. Add the colors lightly at first, then push harder to blend them.

Add some dark green and black on the macaw's throat. Use some orange to create shadows on the body. Color the feet gray and add a bit of gray to the white face. Use gray, brown and yellow for the branch. Add some yellow to the eye. Remember to pause the video to draw at your own pace.

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