How to Draw a Turkey. Turkey drawings are a great medium of engaging with art if it is to celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving or learn about animals. Whether you are a new learner or someone looking to finesse your skills, drawing a turkey can be both fun and very rewarding. In this guide, we will walk you through some simple steps to draw a turkey clearly and efficiently so that the processes become as enjoyable as your final artwork.
Materials Required to Draw a Turkey
Before you begin, you will need the following:
- A pencil
- An eraser
- Paper or a sketchpad
- Colored pencils, markers, or crayons (optional)
- A fine-tip pen or marker (optional, for outlining)
These materials will help you make your drawing look more polished and complete but don’t worry if you don’t have everything. Start with the basics and add details later.
Step 1: Drawing the Basic Shape of the Turkey’s Body
Draw the Main Oval Shape
Start with drawing a big oval in the middle of your paper. This will be the body of the turkey. Use a slight curvature on the edges of the oval so that it becomes a bit rounded, which should look plump and soft-softly characteristic of a turkey’s body.
Draw the Tail Feathers
Draw some long, curved lines at the top of the oval that are fanning out from the center. The lines should vary in length to resemble the turkey’s feathers. The tail feathers should be larger at the top and gradually get smaller as you move toward the center of the oval. Use smooth curves to connect the lines to create the shape of the tail.
Draw the Turkey’s Head
On the body, draw a much smaller circle for the turkey head. Ensure that the head is proportional to the body—in that it should be smaller compared to the body but large enough to be visible. The circle should be a little elongated because, often, a turkey’s head is usually oval.
Step 2: Adding the Turkey’s Facial Features
Draw the Beak
On the front of the head, draw a small triangle pointing downwards. This will be the turkey’s beak. Remember to keep the lines soft and make sure that the beak does not look too big about the rest of the face.
Draw the Wattle
Below the beak, add a small, wobbly line that hangs down. This is the turkey’s wattle, the fleshy part hanging from the neck. Be sure the wattle looks loose and curved—it should naturally flow from the beak.
Add the Eyes
Draw a small circle on the head of the turkey for its eye. Place the eye at the top of the head, but slightly to the side, so that the turkey can present a more natural expression. This way, you can also provide a smaller circle inside the eye for the pupil so the turkey can look lively and engaging.
Step 3: Drawing the Turkey’s Wings
Draw the Basic Shape of the Wings
Draw two curving lines on either side of the oval body. Wings should be long and slightly curving down at the tip; connect the top of each wing to near the base of the turkey’s neck.
Add Feather Details
Within the wings, draw several overlapping curved lines to represent feathers. These should follow the natural shape of the wings and can vary in size. The feathers at the top of the wings should be larger while those towards the bottom are smaller.
Step 4: Draw the Legs and Feet
Draw the Legs
Underneath the body, sketch in two straight lines to form the legs. Keep them separated so the turkey doesn’t have any problems standing up.
Finally, Sketch in the Feet
At the end of each leg, draw three toes pointing forward and one toe pointing backward. Turkeys have large, claw-like feet, so make sure to include sharp, curved lines to depict the claws.
Step 5: Adding Final Details
Refine the Tail Feathers
Go back to the tail feathers and make shapes smoother with an even spread. Add some details within the feathers such as gentle lines following the natural shape of each feather, which will give them more depth and texture.
Detail the Body
On the turkey’s body, draw some curved lines to indicate the texture of its feathers. These should be soft and flowing, following the curve of the body. Don’t make the lines too rigid; turkeys have a soft, rounded appearance to their plumage.
Outline the Drawing
Outline your whole drawing with fine-tipped pens or markers after you’re satisfied with the pencil sketch. Trace those lines in ink for bold, clean lines that can give depth to all features on your turkey.
Use an eraser to remove leftover marks from the pencil. You’ll now have a very neat drawing with polished details.
Step 6: Color the Turkey (Optional)
Color the Body
Color the body of the turkey with shades of brown. You can use a light brown or tan for the main body and a darker brown for shading around the edges.
Color the Tail Feathers
Tail feathers should be warm colors: orange, red, yellow, and even a little green. The outer feathers are usually brighter than the inner feathers.
Add Color to the Head and Beak
The head of the turkey is often reddish in color, and the beak is yellow or orange. Fill in these areas with shades of red, orange, or yellow.
Final Details
Use shading to add depth and dimension to the turkey’s body and feathers. Use darker shades on areas in shadow, like below the wings, the base of the tail feathers, and below the head of the turkey. Lighter colors can then be used where light might naturally hit, like at the tops of the feathers.
Step 7: Add a Background (Optional)
While the focus of this drawing is the turkey itself, you may also want to add a simple background to your artwork. You could consider drawing a grassy area underneath the turkey or a few scattered autumns leaves around it. Even a simple sky with clouds or a tree in the distance can help complete the scene.
Tips for Drawing a Turkey
- Start by using light pencil marks to create a lot of leeway for drawing so you can easily change the shape or line as you’re making it.
- Avoid working in a rush because such can lead to the entire work being a flop at times.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be concerned if you are not happy with the first try; with every attempt, improvement is guaranteed.
- Add Your Personality: Add your personality to the turkey drawing. Make the turkey look silly with an expression or an interesting accessory such as a hat or glasses.
Conclusion
Drawing a turkey is an excellent way to celebrate the season or improve your drawing skills. Follow these simple steps to create a beautiful and realistic turkey that showcases your artistic abilities. Whether you are drawing for fun or creating a project for school or a holiday celebration, this guide will help you produce a turkey drawing that you can be proud of.
