How to Draw a REALISTIC BIRD with Colored Pencils. Step by Step Tutorial

In this video I share the full process of drawing this bird in a step-by-step tutorial. You will learn how to draw realistic feathers, create an iridescent effect, and how to select the best colors.

✅ TIME STAMPS
intro (00:00)
line drawing (00:50)
Base layer (01:06)
slower speed tail feathers (03:15)
direction of pencil strokes (07:41)
art supplies/materials used + review (09:52)
bird leg base layer (13:28)
Bird head base layer (14:22)
timing and thoughts on base layers (16:25)
blending with solvent (17:30)* Additional info in video linked below
slow speed- final feather details +color (18:24)
fast speed- finishing body, unifying drawing (25:23)
alternate feather technique (28:43)
finishing the body (30:52)
final details on bird head (32:05)
electric eraser demo (33:49)
final beak and leg details (34:33)

✅ Watch a FREE PREVIEW of my course, “Introduction to Classical Colored Pencil Painting” (no credit card required)

✅CONNECT WITH ME* (If you try this project, please tag me!)

✅ SUPPLIES I USED/MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
Are you planning on purchasing some art supplies? If so, please consider supporting me by using my affiliate links below. I never recommend a product I haven’t used and am not 100% behind, and I get a little commission from your purchase (at no additional cost to you).

🎨INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED HIGH QUALITY PENCILS

👉LUMINANCE COLORED PENCILS (CARAN d'ACHE)

👉DERWENT LIGHTFAST PENCILS

👉POLYCHROMOS COLORED PENCILS

🎨BASIC COLORED PENCILS:

👉PRISMACOLOR PREMIER COLORED PENCILS

👉DERWENT CHROMAFLOW COLORED PENCILS

🎨HIGH QUALITY PAPER

👉DERWENT LIGHTFAST PAPER

👉ARCHES HOT PRESSED WATERCOLOR PAPER

🎨BASIC PAPER

👉STRATHMORE BRISTOL PAPER

🎨SOLVENT

👉GAMSOL ODORLESS MINERAL SPIRITS (GAMBLIN)

🎨PENCIL SHARPENER

👉DERWENT SUPER POINT SHARPENER

🎨ELECTRIC ERASER
👉Derwent USB RECHARGEABLE ERASER

✅ WHAT TO WATCH NEXT:

LEARN ABOUT DRAWING PHOTO REFERENCES AND TRACING IN THIS VIDEO:

LEARN ABOUT BLENDING WITH SOLVENT IN THIS VIDEO:

LEARN ABOUT DRAWING ANIMALS IN THIS PLAYLIST:

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[vyonnezahner]

That is absolutely stunning! The shading and detail are perfect. A joy you listen and watch you work!

[jasongarner]

Best videos for useing Derwent Lightfast pencils. Love watching them.

[rachelleblanc]

Yes i would put the shadow because i feel it would kinda ground it better. But just my opinion. Luv your work and the way you teach . So glad i found your chanel. 😊😊😊

[dimitrioskalfakis]

looking at then end result i thought it was a pastel pencil drawing. very good layer build-up.

[criandocolorindoevariedades]

Olá, que maravilha, você desenha muito bem.😀🇧🇷

[pamelasichel]

It’s perfection. I love the white bg. I see Audubon. Any other bg will detract from the virtuosity of the patterns and colors.

[Martin_Gregory]

Thanks so much fior doing a bird, just like you said you would not that long ago! Very timely, I'm halfway through the base layer of my own first bird!

[SerenWen_art]

Stunning! I agree with others, I don’t think you need a background, but maybe a hint of cast shadow to anchor the bird. Very interested to see you use just the lightfast pencils, I tend to use them in conjunction with my Polychromos, using the lightfast for the first layers then using the polys to blend and glaze. I’ll have to be brave and try using just the lightfast! Thank you for sharing! 😊

[CreativePhenomenonArt]

This was so helpful and the piece is beautiful. I am so that person who gets overwhelmed with the entire reference, I will try to keep your words of wisdom in my
head😣.

I don’t think you need to do anything to the background if that was your intention, but maybe a light shadow to show where the ground is, if you wanted to add a bit more 🤷‍♀️

I appreciate you and your channel I’m so glad to have been introduced to you 🥰

[laureendavis]

Beautiful drawing and beautiful bird! I love how you use colors. You make it look so easy! I drew a friend's Macaw and said never again on birds, but you are making me want to jump in again 😊

[-zimplogulon-]

wow, first time seeing this channel, you are so skilled! i subscribed for you because your art deserves recognition!

[foxykc]

That bird is local to San Diego and I have wanted to draw it and can't figure out how and now I'm going to follow your tutorial

[oliviaprice]

have you considered listing the specific colored pencils colors you mentioned/used in the video in the video caption? i know you edit the video to show the pencil colors but having it in one list in the caption would be super helpful:) this is something i would greatly appreciate as i try to figure out what colors i should purchase out of the sets! i apologize if you have started doing this in future videos just thought i would mention it! all in all i want to thank you for being such a huge help in my pet portrait journey!!

[NotAGameAddict]

just fantastic, love the colors. where did you find the reference? thank you

[dijosephine]

Hi Lana . Love your drawings 👍I am very interested in doing birds and flowers preferably colourful ones. Love what you are doing here. Could you tell me please do you have any classes where you teach those subjects as well. I have been drawing for a while now and have the basics and not to bad at drawing but haven’t had much experience with my first love birds and flowers. Hoping you can help .Di.🥰

[DenaTollefson]

Your White-faced Ibis drawing is spectacular, Lana! You really captured the iridescent, colorful nature of its feathers. Fantastic use of glazing and blending. I love the stark white background you are using. You could always add a cast shadow which would transition to the bird's foot if you wanted. I am hosting the Favorite Bird Art Challenge and hope you will participate. You would be a great addition.

[FernCurtis]

Craft contouring? Hmmm.. I am only one person, but it sounds intriguing to me…could be wrong, but I *think* I may use it a bit myself, if it is what I think it is, but not 100% sure. Would like to see more about it, to know for sure or to possibly add it to my “tool box”, if not. As for doing a background on your bird: for me I always say, if your subject/image is basically darker, then you need to go with a lighter color background. If your subject/image is lighter in colors, then you need to go with a bit of a darker background. This is to keep your subject/image the focus, but you already probably already know that. So, if you you do anything, would say either a light colored background or possibly doing just a little bit of shadow work, to make it pop. The decision of course is yours.

[kevinhardy]

The scary thing is the background. I don’t want to colour it but I don’t want it white. I try filling with watercolour pencils but I don’t know if I like it