Use the step-by-step instructions below to learn how to draw a Sparrow on a tree branch. Follow along with the video, or use the images in this article. By the end of this tutorial, even beginners will have a completed drawing of this realistic bird!

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To draw this bird step by step, follow along with the video tutorial below and pause the video after each step to go at your own pace. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step images below the video. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods. Take your time and create art at your own pace.

Materials You'll Need Before starting, gather these basic drawing supplies from Blick Art Materials. If you choose to purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Pencils (an HB lead pencil is best for light sketches)	Kneaded Eraser	Drawing Paper

Step 1: Draw the Main Body

Start by sketching the initial guidelines for the sparrow's body and the branch it is standing on. Sketch lightly at first so that it is easy to erase any mistakes.

Proportional Circles

• Draw a circle: Create a circle as a guide for the front part of the sparrow's body.
• Circle Tip! An easy way to draw a circle is to make a couple of small marks to indicate the height. Then add small marks on the sides to indicate the width of the circle. Connect the marks using curved lines. If you have trouble drawing circles freehand, you can also trace the edge of a circular object like a coin or bottle cap.

Step 2: Add the Head Guide

Next, position the guide for the head relative to the main body circle.

• Placement: On the top left side of the main body, draw another circle as a guide for the head.
• Proportions: Make this head circle about half the size of the first body circle. The outer edges of the two shapes should touch.

Step 3: Draw Construction Lines and the Beak Guide

Add reference markings across the face to establish the placement of facial features.

• Facial line: Draw a horizontal construction line straight across the middle of the head circle.
• Beak shape: To the left side of the head, draw a small triangular shape as a guide for the beak. Pay close attention to its size in relation to the head.

Step 4: Sketch in the Lower Body and Neck

Connect the established shapes to begin fleshing out the sparrow's profile.

• Lower body section: Make a small mark on the bottom right side of the main circle. Connect this mark to the big circle using curved lines. This finishes the guide for the lower section of the body.
• Neck lines: Connect the head to the body using a couple of sloping lines to create the guide for the neck. Make the line on the left side more curved.

Step 5: Finish the Initial Sketch

Finish the layout phase by plotting the proportions of the tail, limb, and perch.

• Tail guide: On the right side of the body, draw a long rectangular shape made up of two long sloping lines. The tail should be almost as long as the body.
• Leg and toes: Under the body, draw a short sloping line as a guide for the leg. At the bottom of that line, add a short curved line as a guide for the toes.
• The branch: Draw a long sloping line to serve as a guide for a branch. Extend this line so that it sits on top of the lower body area.

Step 6: Draw Facial Details

Now that the guidelines are ready, begin adding the details of your bird.

• Eye placement: Lightly sketch a small circle inside the head. Place it directly on top of the horizontal construction line and close to the center. Darken the circle when the size and position are correct.
• Pupil and highlight: Inside the eye, draw a tiny circle off to the side for a highlight. In the middle of the eye, draw a small circle and shade it in for the pupil.
• Surrounding skin: Draw a couple of curved lines around the eye to indicate the bare skin.

Step 7: Define the Beak and Head Shape

Construct the final outlines for the sparrow's face using your structural shapes.

• Upper beak: Darken the top edge of the triangular guide, making the line more curved than your initial sketch.
• Mouth line: Draw a line across the center of the triangle for the beak's opening. Extend this line to the right so it reaches inside the head near the eye.
• Lower beak and head: Darken the line at the bottom for the lower beak section, adding a couple of curved lines at its base. Use the original circle guide to darken the path of the head, making the top of the crown slightly flatter.

Step 8: Add Feather Textures and Facial Patterns

Incorporate realistic textures and color separation markings on the head.

• Throat feathers: Below the beak, draw a series of short, angled lines to establish a feathery texture.
• Head pattern lines: Above the eye, draw a sloping line for the feather pattern. On the lower section of the head, draw a series of wavy lines to mark the color separation on the feathers. This shape should occupy a lot of space inside the head.

Step 9: Sketch the Folded Wing

Lay down the structure of the wing resting against the sparrow's torso.

• Wing shape: Lightly sketch a long sloping line across the body for the folded wing. Extend the tip to the right so it rests slightly inside the tail guide.
• Feather separation: Add a couple of short angled lines at the top for texture. As you darken the main line, curve the shape upward near the middle to create a clear separation in the feathers. Make the bottom part of the wing thin, rounding the tip so it isn't too pointy.

Step 10: Draw the Foot and Body Outline

Now form the visible limb, digits, and final torso lines.

• Leg structure: At the top of the leg guide, draw a short curved line made up of short strokes for the feathery base of the leg. Draw the rest of the leg around your guideline, keeping the overall shape thin.
• Toes and torso: Draw the shapes of the individual toes around your curved guide (note that not all toes are visible from this profile perspective). Finish by darkening the outer edges of the main guides to finalize the body outline. Curve the top section more to imply the hidden wing on the opposite side.

Step 11: Finalize the Tail and Branch

Complete your linework by drawing the sparrow's tail feathers and its wooden perch.

• Tail feathers: Draw the tail within the rectangular guide on the right side. Add an internal sloping line to indicate individual feathers and make the tips pointy. Include a small curved line to widen the tail's base.
• Thicken the branch: Darken the initial long sloping guide line. Draw a second, parallel sloping line below it to make the branch shape thick and sturdy enough for a perching bird.

Step 12: Ink and Color!

Finalize your drawing by inking the final lines, erasing pencil marks, and adding color!

• Ink lines: Carefully trace your final pencil lines slowly using a permanent ink pen or marker.
• Clean up: Let the ink dry completely so it won't smudge. Once dry, use your eraser to remove all the remaining pencil construction guidelines.

• Color: Finally, bring your illustration to life using markers or colored pencils with natural browns, shades of gray, and black. Add light colors first, and build up the darker values to form shadows. This will give your bird more dimension and volume.
• Final pass: Go over the final lines with ink one last time to emphasize the details, and your sparrow illustration is complete!

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