The ostrich is an extraordinary creature—renowned as the largest and fastest-running bird on the planet, it captivates artists with its unique form and striking features. With its long, powerful legs, elegant neck, and expressive eyes, the ostrich offers a compelling subject for anyone looking to expand their artistic repertoire. Learning how to draw an ostrich not only gives you the opportunity to study its anatomy and movement but also allows you to explore textures, such as the soft plumage and the scaly legs, in your artwork. Whether you’re fascinated by wildlife, interested in drawing animals from different continents, or simply eager to challenge yourself with a new project, the ostrich is a wonderful subject to bring to life on paper.
This tutorial is designed to be accessible to artists of all skill levels, from beginners to more advanced illustrators. You’ll be guided step by step through the process, from sketching the basic shapes that form the ostrich’s body to adding finer details that make your drawing pop with realism. Along the way, you’ll practice essential drawing techniques like proportion, shading, and texture rendering. Don’t worry if you’re new to animal drawing—each step is broken down clearly, so you can follow along at your own pace and gradually build your confidence and skills.
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a finished drawing that showcases the ostrich’s unique character and beauty. Remember, every artist makes progress with patience and practice, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Embrace the process, have fun exploring how to draw an ostrich, and let your creativity soar as you capture this remarkable bird on your page!
Materials Required
Before we begin, make sure you have the following materials on hand:
- Pencil: Use a regular pencil or a mechanical pencil with a medium lead for sketching and adding details.
- Paper: Choose a clean, white drawing paper that works well with your chosen drawing tools.
- Eraser: Have a good quality eraser handy, as you will need it to correct any mistakes.
- Fine-tip markers or pens: These will be used to outline and add fine details to your drawing.
- Colored pencils or markers (optional): If you want to add color to your drawing, have some colored pencils or markers ready.
Now that you have all your materials ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions!
Step 1: Sketch the Basic Proportions
Start by lightly sketching an oval shape to represent the ostrich’s body. This shape will serve as a guideline for the overall size and placement of the ostrich’s different body parts. Next, add a smaller circle on top of the oval to represent the head. Connect the head and body with a neck line.
Step 2: Outline the Body
Using the basic shapes as a guide, begin outlining the body of the ostrich. Start by drawing a curved line from the head to the body to create the neck. Then, add a long and curved line for the back, tapering it towards the end to form the tail. Extend the line at the bottom of the oval to create the belly.
Step 3: Draw the Legs
Now, let’s draw the legs of the ostrich. Start by adding two long and curved lines that extend from the belly to form the thighs. Then, draw two shorter lines to represent the lower legs. Finish off the legs by adding the feet using a series of curved lines.
Step 4: Add the Head and Beak
Focus on the head now. Draw two circles for the eyes, leaving a small space between them. Inside each eye, draw a smaller circle to represent the iris. Add a curved line above the eyes for the eyebrow. Next, carefully outline the beak using curved lines. Make sure to add the distinctive shape and details, such as the nostril.
Step 5: Refine the Neck and Body
To add more details to the ostrich’s neck, draw small curved lines traveling down the length of it. This will give the appearance of feathers. Next, refine the body by adding a few lines to indicate the overlapping feathers. Erase any unnecessary guidelines from the sketch.
Step 6: Add Feathers and Tail
Now, let’s focus on the details of the feathers. Use a combination of short and long curved lines to represent the feathers on the ostrich’s body. Pay attention to the direction of the feathers and how they overlap. Continue this technique on the tail as well.
Step 7: Outline and Add Definition
Using a fine-tip marker or pen, carefully go over your pencil lines to outline the ostrich’s features. Add more definition to the body by adding shading and crosshatching to create depth and texture. Take your time with this step, as it will bring your drawing to life.
Step 8: Optional – Add Color
If you wish to add color to your drawing, now is the time to do so. Use colored pencils or markers to add realistic hues to the ostrich’s body, beak, and feathers. Observe reference photos or illustrations of ostriches to help you achieve accurate colors.
Did You Know?: Ostriches have the largest eyes of any land animal, each measuring almost two inches across—bigger than their own brains! These enormous eyes give them exceptional vision, allowing them to spot predators from miles away on the open savannah. As you draw an ostrich, pay special attention to the size and placement of the eyes, as they are a defining feature and add a lot of personality to your artwork. Including this detail can help capture the alert, expressive quality that makes ostriches so fascinating to observe and illustrate.
Tip: To effectively capture the ostrich’s unique features, start your drawing with light, loose sketch lines to establish the basic shapes of the body, neck, and legs. Focus on the proportions—remember that the neck is long and slender, while the legs are powerful and sturdy. Use a pencil with a fine tip for these initial sketches, allowing you to easily adjust as needed. Once you’re satisfied with the composition, transition to a softer pencil or blending tools to add texture to the plumage; pay close attention to the direction of the feathers, using short, flicking motions to mimic their softness. Finally, don’t forget to highlight the ostrich’s expressive eyes, as they convey personality and will bring your drawing to life!
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to draw an ostrich. By following these step-by-step instructions and using your creativity, you can create a stunning and realistic drawing of this magnificent bird. Remember to practice regularly to improve your skills. Enjoy the process and have fun with your drawings!
Fun Facts About Ostriches
- The ostrich is the largest living bird in the world, with some adults reaching up to 9 feet tall.
- Ostriches can sprint at speeds up to 45 miles per hour, making them the fastest-running birds on land.
- Unlike most birds, ostriches have only two toes on each foot, which helps them run faster.
- Ostrich eggs are the largest of any living land animal, weighing up to 3 pounds each.
- Despite their size, ostriches cannot fly, but their powerful legs make them excellent runners.
- Ostriches have the largest eyes of any land animal, measuring about 2 inches across.
- They use their wings for balance and courtship displays, not for flying.
- Ostriches can go without water for several days, getting moisture from the plants they eat.
Suggestions for Scenes and Settings for an Ostrich Drawings
- An ostrich racing across the African savanna, kicking up clouds of dust as it runs at full speed.
- A close-up portrait of an ostrich’s expressive face, focusing on its large eyes and textured beak.
- An ostrich family—adults with several fluffy chicks—wandering through tall grass under a bright sky.
- An ostrich interacting curiously with other savanna animals, like zebras or antelopes, in a peaceful scene.
- A whimsical scene of an ostrich wearing a stylish hat or scarf, showcasing its long neck and quirky personality.
- An ostrich peering over a fence or through tall reeds, capturing a sense of curiosity and playfulness.
- A dramatic silhouette of an ostrich at sunrise or sunset, with warm colors and a striking backdrop.
- An ostrich in motion, wings extended and feathers ruffled, emphasizing the dynamic movement and power of its legs.
- An ostrich at a waterhole, bending its long neck to take a drink, surrounded by reflections and ripples.
- A fantasy setting where an ostrich is part of a parade, decorated with colorful feathers and patterns.
