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How to Draw a Cardinal – Easy Bird Drawing for Kids Step by Step

This cardinal drawing lesson brings one of the most striking backyard birds into a simple, step-by-step sketching experience. The guide gently builds the bird’s curved body, pointed crest, and sharp beak through clear visual stages, making it easy for beginners to follow without second-guessing proportions. Each step feels calm and structured, helping young artists focus on shapes before details. With included step-by-step images and a printable PDF worksheet, learners can practice, trace, and refine until the vibrant cardinal naturally takes form on the page.

 


With its distinctive crest and elegant silhouette, the cardinal offers young artists a beautiful bird to sketch.

Step 1: Draw the cardinal's tiny pointed beak.

Step 2: Then, add the tall feathered head with the crest head.

Step 3: Draw the cheeks and lower throat line underneath the beak.

Step 4: The face outline should be added around the eyes and beak area.

Step 5: Draw the back of the head and start drawing the upper body.

Step 6: Create a long, curving line to the chest that is round.

Step 7: Begin by tracing the legs of the bird with its fingers.

Step 8: Then add a small curved line towards its back.

Step 9: Draw the upper back side of the bird.

Step 10: Include the wing shape within the body as shown in the image.

Step 11: Draw a long feather for the bird's long tail.

Step 12: Include an additional tail feather near the first one.

Step 13: Draw tiny curved lines of feathers on the upper wing.

Step 14: Include a row of smaller feathers below.

Step 15: Make more feather lines within the wings.

Step 16: Incorporate long wing feathers in the lower part of the wing.

Step 17: Make additional feather lines to finish the wings.

Step 18: Then, add the last long line to the tail feather.

Step 19: Create a feather-like design on the neck. Add claw details to the foot.

Step 20: Draw a line with curves for the tree's branch below the cardinal’s claws.

Step 21: Include another side branch.

Step 22: Make two leaves on the one end of the branch.

Step 23: Incorporate the veins in each leaf.

Step 24: Create bark texture lines across the branch.

Step 25: Draw a circle in its face, for the eye of the cardinal.

Step 26: Highlight the pupil inside the eye.

Step 27: Your cardinal sketch is ready. Give it some vibrant colors to make it more beautiful!



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