How to Draw a Pigeons with Butterflies
Want a calm, graceful subject to practice smooth lines and soft shading? This step-by-step guide shows you how to draw a flying bird with two butterflies using simple shapes and light pencil work. You’ll build the head and beak, sweep a single curve for the body, layer the wing, then finish with tail feathers and gentle tones. The butterflies add motion and balance while giving you extra chances to shade. No special tools are required—just pencils, an eraser, and paper.
Follow each image, keep your strokes relaxed, and let the form grow gradually. We’ll start with loose construction lines, add clean contours, and blend values for a soft, feathery look. By the end you’ll have a friendly bird illustration that’s great for cards, classroom displays, or your sketchbook. We’ll keep measurements clear, use A4 or Letter paper, and rely on light HB lines before reinforcing edges with a darker 2B pencil. A blending stump or cotton swab will smooth shading, but even a tissue wrapped around your finger works fine. Ready to begin? Let’s draw.
Supplies for This Drawing
- HB pencil for sketching; 2B–4B pencil for shading
- Smooth drawing paper: A4 (8.3×11.7 in) or Letter (8.5×11 in), 120–200 gsm
- Kneaded eraser and plastic/vinyl eraser
- Blending stump or cotton swabs; soft tissue
- Pencil sharpener (handheld or crank)
- Optional: 0.3–0.5 mm fineliner for inking, white gel pen for highlights
- Ruler or low-tack tape for clean borders
Prepare the Materials
- Clear your workspace and set bright, even lighting.
- Tape paper edges to a board for stability.
- Sharpen pencils and roll a kneaded eraser to a point.
- Keep a scrap sheet for testing pressure.
- Place these reference images where you can see them easily.
- Warm up with a few light curves and feather-like strokes.
Special Features of This Drawing
- Elegant S-curve body built from one flowing line
- Layered wing made with tapering arcs for depth
- Soft, gradient shading for a rounded, feathery look
- Tail fan with three clear shapes for readability
- Two butterflies adding motion, scale, and balance
- Clean contours; minimal interior lines to keep it airy
Tutor’s Suggestions
- Start extremely light; darken only after proportions feel right.
- Vary line weight to suggest light and overlap.
- Shade in the direction feathers grow.
- Build values slowly with several passes, not one heavy layer.
- Lift highlights with a kneaded eraser instead of rubbing hard.
- Keep the beak edges crisp; blur body transitions.
- Rotate the page to pull smoother curves.
- Take short breaks to spot symmetry and balance.
Level of Difficulty
Beginner-friendly — simple curves and gentle shading; the layered wing adds mild challenge.
Uses
- Classroom practice or a quick demo
- Greeting card or gift tag art
- Sketchbook study of simple forms
- Wall print or coloring page
- Social post or reel process
- Calming warm-up before bigger projects
1. Head Curve and Beak
Start near the page center. Draw a small diamond for the beak, slightly angled left. Soften the top edge to shape the upper beak and leave a notch at the mouth. From the back of the beak, sweep a curved line upward and over to suggest the crown. Continue the curve down to begin the neck and back. Keep lines light and steady; avoid pressing hard. Check spacing so the bird has room for wings and tail on the right.
2. Neck, Chest, and Eye
Add a soft line beneath the crown to shape the forehead. From the beak’s base, draw a shallow S-curve to form the throat. Let it flow into a long, sweeping line that suggests the chest and belly, curving down and right. Angle another stroke to finish the beak’s lower edge. Place a small circle for the eye just behind the beak. Keep everything light; we’re mapping proportions. Leave open space at the back where the wing and tail will sit.
3. Wing Block-in and Butterflies
Sketch the raised wing. Start near the shoulder and draw a tall, rounded triangle pointing upward. Inside it, add four long arcs that taper toward the tip to suggest layered feathers. Curve a light guideline from the back to the tail area. Now block in two butterflies to the left: teardrop forewings, smaller hindwings, simple ovals for bodies, and thin antennae. Keep their size smaller than the bird’s head so they feel delicate. Clean up any scratchy construction marks afterward.
4. Tail, Details, and Feather Lines
Refine the contours. Round the head, define the beak’s notch, and place a dark pupil with a white highlight. Draw the tail as three broad feathers fanning right; connect it smoothly to the belly curve. On the wing, darken the outer edge and each inner arc, letting strokes fade toward the body to mimic soft feathers. Strengthen the back and belly lines, but keep them clean and minimal. Add a line under the bird to suggest a flight path below.
5. Shading and Blending
Shade gently. With a 2B pencil, add soft tones along the wing’s base, neck, belly, and tail tips. Keep edges darker and centers lighter for a rounded form. Use a blending stump or tissue to smooth the graphite, pulling from dark to light. Shade the butterflies’ inner wings and leave bright rims so they pop. Reinforce the eye and beak lines last. Step back, squint, and balance values so the bird reads while staying airy and bright on the page.
Final Thoughts
Simple curves, patient layering, and soft shading can turn a few lines into a lively scene. Keep your pressure light, blend only where needed, and leave crisp edges to suggest feathers and sparkle. If something looks off, adjust shapes with an eraser rather than chasing heavy outlines. Repeat the drawing at different sizes to practice control. Each pass will get smoother. Enjoy the calm mood this little bird and its butterflies bring to your page.
A Bonus Tip
Leave a thin white rim along the wing’s leading edge to suggest sunlight and sparkle.
FAQs
Q: How long will this take?
A: Most beginners finish in 30–50 minutes, depending on shading time.
Q: What paper size works best?
A: A4 or Letter is comfortable; larger sheets make shading smoother.
Q: My proportions feel off—what should I fix first?
A: Compare the beak-to-eye distance and the length of the belly curve.
Q: Should I ink the lines?
A: You can. Let the graphite guide you, then use a fineliner with steady pressure.
Q: In what order should I shade?
A: Darkest areas first—wing base, neck crease, tail tips—then blend into mid-tones.
Q: Can I color it instead of shading with graphite?
A: Yes. Lightly block colors with pencils or markers, then add shadows with cooler tones.
