Drawing an owl with color can be a fun and rewarding experience for artists of all skill levels. Owls make for great subject matter due to their unique facial features and wide range of plumage colors and patterns. When drawing an owl in color, there are a few key steps to follow in order to create a realistic and vibrant piece of art. First, start with a basic sketch using a pencil and draw out the basic shapes and proportions of the owl’s body and facial features. Next, add in structural details like feathers, ears, eyes and beak. Once the sketch is complete, it’s time to add color using colored pencils, markers, paints or other color media. Carefully choose colors that match real owl plumage and paint within the sketched lines. Blending and layering colors will create depth and dimension. Finally, make finishing touches with darker colors and white accents to make details pop. With some practice and patience, you’ll be able to draw colorful, lively owls in your own unique style.
Choosing an Owl Species and References
When starting an owl drawing, one of the first steps is choosing a particular species of owl to depict. There are over 200 species of owls in the world, exhibiting amazing diversity in plumage, size, habitat and more. Some common owl species to consider drawing include:
- Barn Owl – Heart-shaped face, light orange/brown color
- Great Horned Owl – Prominent ear tufts, mottled brown/grey
- Snowy Owl – Round head, white with black speckles
- Eastern Screech Owl – Ear tufts, red/grey/brown colors
- Barred Owl – Brown vertical barring on chest, dark eyes
- Great Gray Owl – Large size, grey/brown vertical striping
Once you’ve selected a species, collecting owl reference photos is key. Study pictures of your chosen owl from multiple angles to understand its colors, patterns, proportions and unique features. Quality reference photos will provide essential guidance as you draw.
Sketching the Basic Form
Now it’s time to start sketching your owl. Begin with simple geometric shapes like circles, ovals and triangles lightly in pencil to capture the basic form and proportions of the head, body, wings and other features. Start with the eyes, positioning them centrally on the front of the head. Add a gently curved triangle shape for the beak below the eyes.
Sketch a large oval for the head, tapering to a point at the back to form the shape of the face. Attach a sausage-like oval to the bottom of the head for the body, adding wing shapes on each side. Refine the angles and curves to match your reference.
Finally, lightly sketch the owl’s feather tufts if applicable, feet and any tree branches or scenery. Don’t press hard – you’ll reinforce the key lines later. At this stage, focus on getting the right size, proportions and placement of body parts.
Adding Detail
Once the foundation is sketched out, it’s time to start detailing your owl drawing. Go back over the key lines, darkening them and erasing any sketch lines you don’t need. Begin carving out individual feathers, paying attention to their direction and overlap. Note the feather groupings and patterns on your reference photos. owls have layers of contour feathers, downy feathers and filoplumes.
| Feather Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Contour feathers | Outermost feathers that contour the owl’s shape. |
| Downy feathers | Short, fluffy feathers that insulate the skin. |
| Filoplumes | Hair-like feathers with sensory receptors. |
Carefully draw the owl’s facial disk, which is the flat facial area bordered by feathers. Detail the eyes and beak as well based on your references. For extra realism, add subtle variations in feather textures and direction.
Applying Color
Now for the fun part – adding color! Plan your color palette ahead of time based on the plumage of the species you’re drawing. Owls display amazingly diverse colors including various browns, tans, greys, reds, whites and blacks. Use colored pencils, markers or paints to gently apply color within the lines of your sketch.
Start with light layers of base colors, then reinforce with darker tones. Work from light to dark. Blend colors with smooth, circular motions to create gradients, bringing life to the drawing. Some key color techniques include:
- Layer complementary colors like orange and blue for depth
- Use white for highlights and accents
- Blacks and darker tones for shadows and details
- Pay attention to color transitions, especially around the eyes and beak
Aim to match the color patterns and tones of your reference pictures. Vary your strokes and colorpressure to mimic the texture of feathers. Working slowly and deliberately leads to the best results.
Adding Finishing Details
As the drawing nears completion, reinforce the darkest shadows and brightest highlights with thicker applications of color. Darken the pupils, outline key feathers and intensify any spots, barring or ornamentation specific to the species. Add catchlights to the eyes with white accents.
Look for any areas that need refinement and touch them up. Sign your work once satisfied! For extra interest, consider drawing your owl on textured paper or adding mixed media embellishments like collage papers or glitter.
Display your finished owl drawing proudly! Whether realistic or stylized, your colorful owl art makes a vibrant addition to portfolios, walls, cards and more.
Tips and Techniques
Here are some additional tips and techniques for successfully drawing owls in color:
- Use high-quality colored pencils, layering multiple colors to build up richness.
- Start light and darken tones gradually for depth.
- Capture the thick, fluffy texture of body feathers.
- Pay close attention to subtle color changes around eyes, beaks, feet.
- Establish light source and cast shadows accordingly.
- Apply less pressure for a “feathered” look in blended areas.
- Use crisp lines around eyes, beaks and talons.
- Leave white areas for accents and highlights.
- Consider adding mixed media like watercolor or colored paper.
- Practice drawing different owl species to hone your skills.
With practice and dedication, you can train your artist’s eye to capture the beauty and intricacy of these magical birds. Mastering owl anatomy takes time, but the rewards of creating realistic, soulful owls in color is well worth the effort. Let your love for these winged creatures guide your hand as you build your drawing abilities one hatching stroke at a time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When drawing owls, there are some common mistakes beginners often make. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you avoid them:
- Not using proper reference – Drawing without sufficient owl references often results in inaccurate anatomy and plumage.
- Rushing the process – Take your time and don’t hurry through steps. Good work takes patience.
- Messy coloring – Staying inside sketched lines and avoiding scribbling prevents a messy final piece.
- Incorrect proportions – Double check proportions like head shape, beak size, and ear tuft placement against photo references.
- Weak line work – Use crisp, confident strokes when outlining and detailing.
- Ignoring light source – Consistently accounting for shadows and highlights enhances realism.
- Unblended or flat coloring – Blend and layer colors for natural, dynamic effects.
- Smudging – Don’t drag pencil tips once laid down, as it smudges the drawing.
Additionally, strive for accuracy when capturing the distinctive features of the owl species, like patterning and plumage specifics. With careful attention to detail and proper technique, your owl drawings will truly take flight!
Conclusion
Drawing realistic, vibrant owls requires thought, technique and practice. Follow the step-by-step process of sketching, detailing, coloring and refining to bring your owl artwork to life. Carefully observe owl reference photos to reproduce anatomy, feather textures and colorations accurately. Use quality art supplies and take your time to blend and layer colors for lifelike effects. Avoid common mistakes like smudging and incorrect proportions. Most importantly, enjoy the meditative process of creating beautiful owl art! From simple sketches to elaborate paintings, owls make fascinating subjects to hone your artistic prowess.
