{"id":49694,"title":"Tutorial on Illustrating Herring Gulls","description":"This is the next in my tutorials - it\u2019s a herring gull! You might see these at the beach, or even inland - I see them in Sheffield sometimes. If you want to know how to draw more realistic herring gulls than you might do already, follow these steps.","content":"

This is the next in my tutorials - it\u2019s a herring gull! You might see these at the beach, or even inland - I see them in Sheffield sometimes. If you want to know how to draw more realistic herring gulls than you might do already, follow these steps (then colour it in at the end). Just don\u2019t let the real ones steal your food while you\u2019re busy!<\/strong><\/p>

Just a little note: The herring gulls shown here might not be a hundred percent realistic. They weren\u2019t \u201cdrawn\u201d but I designed them using design software - there might be unmentioned changes between any of the pictures too, but I hope these are small if any!<\/em><\/p>

Post is an updated\/edited version - this sentence was written on 7th July 2025.<\/em><\/p>

So, what are we aiming for?<\/h2>

\"IllustrationThis Herring Gull could be on the lookout for its next meal! (It\u2019s actually based off one near a cliff, so it\u2019s a bit blown around in its feathers!)<\/p>

Step 1 - Draw the outline<\/h2>

Make sure to get the beak and the tail\/wing bit.<\/p>

\"TheStep 2 - Add the face and legs<\/h2>

This gull looks a bit disappointed - hope it finds some food soon!<\/p>

\"OutlineStep 3 - Add the main wing and foot detail \"OutlineStep 4 - Add some more detail<\/h2>

Don\u2019t forget the bit on its beak and on its tail feathers! \"OutlineStep 5 - Colour it in<\/h2>

\"IllustrationIf you followed up to here, you should now have a similar picture to the original one! Hope it worked out. Why not try drawing one in a different style? If you want a reference facing the other way (mirrored image) then here you go! Just a little more of the blog post to go underneath\u2026<\/p>

\"IllustrationWant to see more art?<\/h2>

Have you seen my shop<\/u><\/a>? You can buy products there that get printed with my other art, by my product suppliers, when you order! (Please don\u2019t copy or use any of this website\u2019s content that\u2019s not the focus of one of my tutorials. For permissions regarding the use of graphics within this site\u2019s product customiser, please refer to this site\u2019s home page.<\/p>

Until the next time I get in contact, thanks for your time!<\/p>

Alex (\u201cSheffinch\u201d)<\/p>","urlTitle":"tutorial-on-illustrating-herring-gulls","url":"\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-herring-gulls\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/tutorial-on-illustrating-herring-gulls\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/sheffinch.co.uk\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-herring-gulls\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1748867902,"updatedAt":1751899188,"publishedAt":1751899188,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":351119,"name":"Sheffinch"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gdxsk05dstt1rsl9hb1thpt19rl6rufghlw81dwfzg1thq5a.png","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gdxsk05dstt1rsl9hb1thpt19rl6rufghlw81dwfzg1thq5a.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gdxsk05dstt1rsl9hb1thpt19rl6rufghlw81dwfzg1thq5a.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":48428,"title":"Tutorial On Illustrating Pigeons","url":"\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-pigeons\/","urlTitle":"tutorial-on-illustrating-pigeons","division":351119,"description":"Want to know how to draw more realistic pigeons and doves? This blog post will help you look more closely at what makes pigeons look like pigeons. Tips shown in different steps. Why not try drawing it in your own style?","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gztayewbgkpuatkwwegpulhttbx3pfikyhie3bxquyn195zh.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gztayewbgkpuatkwwegpulhttbx3pfikyhie3bxquyn195zh.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":48158,"title":"Tutorial On Illustrating Male Mallard Ducks","url":"\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-male-mallard-ducks\/","urlTitle":"tutorial-on-illustrating-male-mallard-ducks","division":351119,"description":"Images of the stages of digitally designing a cartoonish-style mallard duck, from more abstract to more realistic.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/dggfdyfgt7lkajekrrejxvb9qejoqcj4aovydfsbynzcna35.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/dggfdyfgt7lkajekrrejxvb9qejoqcj4aovydfsbynzcna35.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":49245,"title":"Tutorial on Illustrating Butterflies","url":"\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-butterflies\/","urlTitle":"tutorial-on-illustrating-butterflies","division":351119,"description":"Welcome to my next tutorial! Want to know how to draw more realistic butterflies than simple cartoon ones? Just refer the images in these steps!","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pzfsq4ag0e6ec2qifipcecayfnrwb4ru3o9uux3nhd2ab9ay.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pzfsq4ag0e6ec2qifipcecayfnrwb4ru3o9uux3nhd2ab9ay.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}