Beautiful Bird and Nest Drawing
A sweet, simple scene: a parent bird settled in a woven nest with two curious chicks, perched on a branch beneath a bright sun. Follow along to turn very basic shapes into a cheerful drawing you can finish in one sitting. We’ll sketch a guide line, curve the nest, build wing and body forms, then place the chicks, branch, leaves, clouds, and sun. After inking, we’ll add bold, friendly color and a basket pattern so the nest looks cozy and handmade. This project suits beginners, kids, and relaxed sketchers. Use pencil for loose layout and a fineliner for clean outlines, or go straight to marker if you like confident lines. Keep your strokes light, pause often, and let each layer guide the next. You’ll finish with a bright, frameable illustration.
Supplies for This Drawing
- HB pencil for sketching; 2B for soft darks
- Fineliner 0.3–0.5 mm (waterproof)
- Alcohol markers or colored pencils: yellow, orange, blue, brown, green, gray
- White gel pen for highlights (optional)
- Kneaded eraser + vinyl eraser
- A4 (8.3×11.7 in) paper, 160–200 gsm
- Sharpener, ruler (for baseline), tissue for blending pencils
Prepare the Materials
- Clear your workspace and set good lighting.
- Tape paper edges to a board for a neat border.
- Sharpen pencils and test markers on scrap.
- Place reference images within easy view.
- Keep erasers, fineliner, and colors arranged by order of use.
Special Features of This Drawing
- Cute, rounded character shapes with friendly eyes
- Simple woven basket texture using crosshatching
- Bold color blocks with minimal shading
- Balanced composition: low nest, open sky
- Expressive beak and tuft details
- Clean, even outlines that read at a distance
Tutor’s Suggestions
- Start very light; commit to darker lines last.
- Use long, confident curves instead of short scratches.
- Build color in two light passes to avoid streaking.
- Keep eye highlights small and consistent.
- Vary leaf sizes for rhythm and balance.
- Pause and compare left/right spacing frequently.
- Erase in taps, not rubs, to protect paper.
Uses
- Classroom practice or art club demo
- Cute wall print for a child’s room
- Greeting card or Mother’s Day design
- Coloring page for younger artists
- Social post or portfolio warm-up
- Gift illustration for family or friends
Level of Difficulty
Beginner-friendly — simple shapes, clear layering, and forgiving textures.
Guide “2” and Baseline
Draw a large, loose number “2” on the left half of your page. Extend a straight baseline toward the right from the foot of the “2.” Think of this as the rim of the future nest and a guide for the bird’s back. Keep the line light if using pencil; if in pen, draw confidently and smoothly. Leave roomy space above. Nearby.
Curve the Nest and Wing
From the right end of the baseline, curve downward and around to form a shallow bowl shape; stop when you reach the left end. Now sketch the wing: a rounded oval dropping from the upper curve of the “2,” edged with three or four small scallops. This wing should sit just above the rim, overlapping slightly for depth. Keep the curves gentle.
Parent’s Body and Eggs
Draw the parent bird’s neck rising from the wing’s front edge, then arch a head with a tiny feather tuft. Add a small triangular beak pointing right. Drop a smooth chest line down to the rim. Inside the nest, place two upright oval egg shapes on the right, peeking above the rim to suggest snug, upright chicks-to-be. Leave gaps between shapes. Slightly.
Eyes, Beak, and Chicks’ Faces
Transform the eggs into chicks: add small pointy tufts on top, then draw big circular eyes inside each oval with tiny highlights. Give the parent bird a bold eye too—a filled circle with a white sparkle. Outline the beak’s upper and lower parts. Keep lines smooth and friendly so the characters feel cute, calm, and expressive. Avoid heavy shading for now. Yet.
Add Branch and Leaves
Under the bowl, sweep a long branch line from left to right, letting it peek from both sides. Thicken the branch slightly. Add several simple leaves—almond shapes with a center vein—around the nest and along the branch. These shapes frame the birds and balance the composition, keeping attention centered on the family while hinting at a tree setting. Keep leaf sizes varied.
Sun and Cloud Shapes
At the top of the page, draw a round sun centered between two drifting cloud shapes. Let each cloud be a single wavy outline; avoid tiny bumps. The sky elements open the space and make the scene cheerful without crowding the birds. Check that the composition breathes—nest low, sky high, characters clearly readable. Adjust distances if anything feels cramped. Shift lightly now.
Base Colors on Birds
Add color to the birds. Use warm yellow or orange for bodies, a slightly deeper orange for the parent’s chest and the chicks’ tufts, and cool blue for the wing. Keep strokes in the direction of each form. Leave the nest and branch uncolored for now. Darken eyes and beak edges so the faces pop immediately. Work slowly, avoiding streaks. Between areas.
Nest Texture and Branch
Outline the nest’s rim darker, then add a light crosshatch grid inside the bowl to suggest woven strands. Color the branch a warm brown and shade gently along its bottom edge. Trace clouds with a clean outline and fill the sun. These textures make everything feel crafted and dimensional without complex shading or difficult techniques. Keep lines even and patient. Throughout. Consistently.
Clean Lines and Highlights
Go over your outlines once more to even the weight, keeping the faces crisp. Color leaves a fresh green and add a soft gray shadow beneath the nest to anchor it. Drop small white highlights on eyes and beak if coloring over marker. Step back, check balance, and tidy any edges for a bright, finished look. Sign your piece proudly. Today. Below.
Conclusion
A cozy nest scene can teach shape, proportion, and friendly character design in one sitting. Keep your outlines clean, make colors bold, and let the woven pattern stay light so the birds remain the focus. Most of all, enjoy the simple story: a parent and two chicks snug in sunshine. Practice again tomorrow and try different color palettes. Or backgrounds.
A Bonus Tip
Angle crosshatch lines slightly with the bowl curve; that subtle tilt makes the nest feel woven and three-dimensional.
FAQs
Q: How long will this drawing take?
A: Most beginners finish in 30–60 minutes, including coloring.
Q: What paper size works best?
A: A4 (8.3×11.7 in) is perfect; heavier paper (160–200 gsm) resists marker bleed.
Q: My proportions feel off. Tips?
A: Keep the nest low, the sun high, and let the wing overlap the rim slightly. Compare distances often.
Q: Should I shade or keep flats?
A: Flat color looks great. Add a soft shadow under the branch and tiny eye highlights for depth.
Q: Markers or colored pencils?
A: Either works. Markers give smooth flats; pencils offer gentle layering and easy corrections.
Q: How do I fix scratchy lines?
A: Use longer, slower curves; rotate the paper so your hand moves comfortably.
