Simple Kiwi Bird Drawing Tutorial

Ever wondered how to capture the unique charm of the kiwi bird, New Zealand's iconic flightless bird, in a simple drawing? While the kiwi bird may appear complex with its unique features, creating a simple kiwi bird drawing is easier than you think. With just a few basic shapes and lines, you can bring this charming bird to life on paper. Let's explore the simple steps to draw a kiwi bird for beginners.

Before we dive into the drawing process, it's essential to understand that there are three recognized species of kiwi birds, each with distinct features. However, for simplicity, we'll focus on the most well-known and easiest to draw - the Northern Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli).

The Basic Shape and Proportions

The kiwi bird has an elongated body with a long, curved bill, short legs, and a rounded tail. To begin your simple kiwi bird drawing, start by sketching an oval shape for the body. This oval should be slightly wider at the top than the bottom to represent the bird's round body and the sloping neck.

Next, draw a curved line at the bottom of the oval to create the kiwi bird's belly. This line should curve upward at the center, giving the bird's belly a slight hump, as kiwi birds have a prominent crop (a part of the esophagus used to store food).

Crafting the Head and Bill

Using the oval as a guide, draw a smaller, equally wide oval for the kiwi bird's head. This oval should connect to the first oval at the top, maintaining a smooth, flowing line. To create the kiwi bird's distinctive bill, draw a long, curved line starting at the bottom of the head oval and extending downward. The bill should be wide at the base and taper to a point at the tip.

Within the head oval, draw two small, almond-shaped eyes. Kiwi birds have forward-facing eyes, so make sure the eyes are positioned more toward the front of the head than the sides. For the nostrils, add two small dots or short lines at the base of the bill, just above where it meets the head.

Adding Feet and Tail

At the bottom of the body oval, draw two short, straight lines to represent the kiwi bird's legs. Kiwi birds have compact legs compared to their body size, so keep these lines relatively short. At the end of each leg, draw a small, downward-facing triangle to create the bird's three-toed feet.

For the kiwi bird's tail, draw a round, pudgy shape connected to the end of the body oval. The tail should be slightly wider than the body and have a round, smooth edge. Kiwi birds have a unique, feather pattern around their tail area, but for simplicity, you can leave the tail as a solid, round shape.

Simplifying the Feathers

Kiwi birds have soft, downy feathers that cover their body. To create the simple feather texture, use short, wavy lines to fill in the bird's body, starting with longer lines at the top of the body and gradually decreasing the line length as you move down to the belly. This technique will give your kiwi bird drawing a feathery texture without adding too much detail.

To make the kiwi bird's head, neck, and tail stand out, use shorter, more densely packed lines on these areas while keeping the belly and lower body with less textured, longer lines. This contrast in feather texture will help your kiwi bird drawing have depth and dimension.

Coloring Your Kiwi Bird Drawing

Kiwi birds come in various colors, from brown to gray to cream. The Northern Brown Kiwi has a mostly brown body with lighter brown or cream undersides. To recreate this color scheme in your simple kiwi bird drawing, start by lightly shading the entire bird with a light brown color.

Once the base layer is complete, add darker brown or gray shading to the kiwi bird's head, neck, and tail. For the belly, use a lighter brown or cream color, making sure to blend the shading smoothly with the darker areas above. Add small, darker spots or stripes to the kiwi bird's body for added texture, mimicking the natural feather pattern.

Finishing Touches

To add the final touches to your simple kiwi bird drawing, lightly outline the entire bird with a darker brown pen or marker. This outline will help define the bird's shape, making it stand out from the background. You can also add small, short lines to the kiwi bird's belly to create the visual effect of fine, downy feathers.

Finally, add a simple background to your kiwi bird drawing. Kiwi birds inhabit dense forest floors, so a simple, dark green or brown gradient background with some tall trees or foliage can help your kiwi bird drawing come to life.

Drawing a simple kiwi bird can be a fun and rewarding experience, allowing you to capture the unique charm of these elusive birds. With just a few basic shapes and lines, you can create a beautiful, simplistic kiwi bird drawing to display or share with friends and family. So grab your sketchbook, and let your creativity take flight!