{"id":48428,"title":"Tutorial On Illustrating Pigeons","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?","content":"

Welcome to the next in this series of tutorials! Want to know how to draw more realistic pigeons and doves? Here are some tips, starting from a more abstract image and finishing with a more realistic one. Why not use the ideas here to draw this in your own style?<\/strong><\/p>

Disclaimer, I digitally designed the images in this tutorial, and the bird depiction may not be a hundred percent accurate, but hope you enjoy brushing up on your skills! Images may have vary slight variations from any other image throughout this post\/other locations.<\/em><\/p>

Post is an edited version of an older one, this post was last edited 7th July 2025.<\/em><\/p>

What are we aiming for?<\/h2>

\"CartoonishIt\u2019s a pigeon that\u2019s either puffed up, well-fed or maybe just looks that way from the camera angle!<\/p>

What are we starting with?<\/h2>

When you draw a pigeon, depending on your level, you might end up with something like this (Well, I probably don\u2019t know you, maybe not!):<\/p>

\"CartoonishIt\u2019s a nice playful style! If you want to add some more realism to it, we\u2019ll go through some ideas, step by step. Draw along if you want with the parts in highlighted in bright green here - don\u2019t colour it in until the end, because some colours may change.<\/p>

Step One: The Body Shape<\/h2>

\"CartoonishLet\u2019s make our pigeon a bit rounder, plus add the outline of a wing at the back.<\/p>

Step Two: The Head<\/h2>

\"CartoonishThe head actually looks like it\u2019s within the body from this angle. The eye (you can only actually see one from this angle) is much smaller and is reddish-orange.<\/p>

Step Three: More Beak Detail and The Neck<\/h2>

\"CartoonishAdd a little flick under the beak, add that nasal bit on top and add a fluffy bit around the pigeon\u2019s head. Add another circle around the outer eye.<\/p>

Step Four: Draw in the Legs, Wings and Tail Feathers<\/h2>

\"CartoonishThis bit is a little more detailed, but the last step! Unless you want to\u2026<\/p>

Step Five: Colour the Pigeon in!<\/h2>

\"CartoonishThe pigeon image shown here is based on a photo, but you can change the colours to whatever you want! Why not make the image in your own style? For example, I\u2019ve added some cartoon-style shading in the second example below.<\/p>

\"Cartoonish<\/p>

Extras<\/h2>

Want to draw your pigeon facing right? Here\u2019s a reference image to help you!<\/p>

\"CartoonishThe image in this tutorial was based on this photo!<\/p>

\"PhotoTaken by me in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.<\/p>

Visit my shop!<\/h2>

Know anyone who loves pigeons? Or do you want a day off drawing? Why not have a look at my other art? (Please don\u2019t copy art from the below image though, or art that\u2019s not in my tutorials - thanks!)* You can buy pigeon art as a postcard<\/u><\/a> on my online shop to colour in, or send to someone else!**<\/p>

\"Photo<\/p>

In any case, thank you for reading another Sheffinch tutorial!<\/p>

Alex (\u201cSheffinch\u201d)<\/p>

*(Please don\u2019t copy or use any of this website\u2019s content that\u2019s not the focus of one of my tutorials. <\/em>For permissions regarding the use of graphics within this site\u2019s product customiser, please refer to this site\u2019s home page.<\/p>

** Subject to availability. More information available on product page\/website terms and conditions.<\/em><\/p>","urlTitle":"tutorial-on-illustrating-pigeons","url":"\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-pigeons\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/tutorial-on-illustrating-pigeons\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/sheffinch.co.uk\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-pigeons\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1744706882,"updatedAt":1751899007,"publishedAt":1751899007,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":351119,"name":"Sheffinch"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gztayewbgkpuatkwwegpulhttbx3pfikyhie3bxquyn195zh.png","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gztayewbgkpuatkwwegpulhttbx3pfikyhie3bxquyn195zh.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gztayewbgkpuatkwwegpulhttbx3pfikyhie3bxquyn195zh.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"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},{"id":48624,"title":"Tutorial On Illustrating Honeybee-Like Bees","url":"\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-bees\/","urlTitle":"tutorial-on-illustrating-bees","division":351119,"description":"Want to draw more realistic bees? Follow these steps for tips!","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/tn2emmfmtpgq0waxylngybks8u7zq1yzlaaoatlytfljavee.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/tn2emmfmtpgq0waxylngybks8u7zq1yzlaaoatlytfljavee.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":48794,"title":"Sheffinch Studies - Trying Out Different Art Styles","url":"\/blog\/trying-out-different-art-styles\/","urlTitle":"trying-out-different-art-styles","division":351119,"description":"(Reworded 5th June 2025) Hello to you, wherever you\u2019ve arrived from the internet! On this page are similar images of the same subject, but inspired by different art styles. The subject in question is a lamb!","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/uclzoppqhehos8dlregl8ip8ube1c1qafxyx1lbnwdozszdn.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=4.4&fx=0.73767551029792&fy=0.11363636363636","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/uclzoppqhehos8dlregl8ip8ube1c1qafxyx1lbnwdozszdn.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=4.4&fx=0.73767551029792&fy=0.11363636363636"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}