How to Draw a Dove – Step by Step Guide
Introduction
Doves, closely related to pigeons, are known for their short necks, legs, and cooing voice. They symbolize new beginnings, peace, love, and prosperity. Many people are fascinated by their mesmerizing beauty, leading to a high demand for dove drawing tutorials. In this article, we present a detailed step-by-step guide to drawing a dove in just nine easy steps.
Let’s get started!
Step 1 – Drawing the Beak
Begin by drawing a sideways uneven triangular shape for the upper beak. Underneath the upper beak, draw a similar figure for the lower beak. Remember to make the upper peak larger and more pointed than the lower one. Place the beak on the upper left side of your paper, using intersecting horizontal and vertical lines as reference.
Step 2 – Outlining the Head
Draw a curved shape around the beak, outlining the head of the dove. The head should resemble a hook and be positioned on the left edge of the dove’s head since it is facing sideways.
Step 3 – Sketching the Body
Extend the lines of the head to create an uneven oval shape, forming the outline of the dove’s body. Use light strokes and avoid pressing too hard with your pencil, as you may need to modify the outline later.
Step 4 – Drawing the Right Leg
Sketch a wide U-shaped curve on the front part of the dove’s body to create the right leg. Ensure that the curve has diagonal sides and a flat bottom. Erase any overlapping parts of the outline to refine the structure and keep the drawing neat.
Step 5 – Completing Both Legs
Repeat the previous step on the opposite side to create the dove’s left leg, located at the back. This completes both legs of the dove.
Step 6 – Structuring the Tail
Draw three connected elongated figures with curved tips to create the feathers of the dove’s tail. Arrange the feathers in a rectangular shape at the bottom back of the dove.
Step 7 – Creating the Wings
Draw an oval shape with a slightly pointed bottom on the side of the dove’s body. Add slanted lines to the bottom part of the wing to depict feathers and provide texture. Erase any overlapping lines from the dove’s body.
Step 8 – Drawing the Right Foot
Underneath the right leg, draw a foot with four claws to complete the dove’s right foot.
Step 9 – Adding the Left Foot and Eye
Repeat the previous step beneath the left leg to draw the dove’s left foot with claws. Then, draw a circle beside the beak to outline the dove’s eye. Add a smaller circle inside the eye for the pupil and shade the eye, leaving the pupil unshaded. Your dove drawing is now complete and ready for coloring.
Coloring Your Dove
Let your creativity shine by choosing your favorite colors to bring your dove to life. While white is the most common color for doves, there are also colorful doves in shades of yellow, pink, green, orange, and more. Feel free to explore a range of colors and even create a unique, multi-colored dove.
Bonus: Adding Inspirational Aspects
To add a touch of symbolism to your dove drawing, consider incorporating thematic elements. Doves are often associated with peace and serenity, represented by light breaking through darkness. Adding shafts of light in shades of yellow, orange, and red can enhance the overall message of your drawing.
Conclusion
Drawing a dove is a satisfying and enjoyable activity that allows you to express your artistic skills. By following our step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to create a beautiful dove artwork and add your own unique touch to it. So grab your paper, pen, and colors, and let your creativity soar!