Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating birds for children to learn about and observe in nature. Known for their speedy flights and ability to hover in midair as they drink nectar from flowers, hummingbirds capture the imagination. The ruby throated hummingbird is a particularly stunning variety, with its bright red throat shining like a jewel in the sunlight. Teaching children how to draw a ruby throated hummingbird is a great way to get them interested in nature, art, and birds.
In this step-by-step tutorial, we will break down how to draw a simple ruby throated hummingbird for beginners. Drawing can seem intimidating at first, but by following the instructions carefully, even very young artists can create a charming hummingbird picture. The clear directions and visual aids will make the process fun and easy.
Let’s go over the supplies needed, the step-by-step instructions, and some tips for finishing up your hummingbird drawing. With a little practice, you’ll be able to draw a lifelike ruby throat in no time!
Supplies Needed
Drawing a hummingbird requires very minimal supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:
– Paper
– Pencil
– Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
For the paper, standard copy or drawing paper will work just fine. Have your child use whatever pencils or coloring tools they enjoy drawing with. Simple supplies make this project accessible for kids of all ages.
It’s also helpful to look at reference photos of ruby throated hummingbirds online or in books when drawing. This helps your child better capture the proportions and vivid colors of a real hummingbird. Displaying an example photo near your workspace can provide guidance as they work.
Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to start drawing your very own ruby throated hummingbird:
Step 1: Draw the oval body
Lightly sketch a large oval shape near the middle of your paper. This will be the fat little body of the hummingbird. Keep the oval laying horizontally, wider than it is tall.
Step 2: Add the beak
Extending off the front of the oval, draw a long pointy shape for the beak. It should be slightly curved down. Leave a bit of a gap between the beak and body.
Step 3: Draw the head
Overlapping the back of the beak, sketch a round circle for the head. It should be proportionally smaller than the body.
Step 4: Add the eye
In the upper half of the head, draw a small black circle for the eye. Leave a highlight circle in the eye by not coloring in a small spot.
Step 5: Draw the neck and tail feathers
Extend a gently curving line down from the lower back of the head to make the hummingbird’s neck. On the back of the body, sketch a small upside down U shape for the tail feathers.
Step 6: Draw the wings
On each side of the body, make a long teardrop shape for the wings. They can lightly overlap the body or splay out to the sides.
Step 7: Draw the feet
With a series of short lines, sketch the tiny feet extending below the body. Draw small sideways V shapes for the toes.
Tips for Finishing Your Hummingbird Drawing
Once your child has sketched out the basic shape of the hummingbird, it’s time to add color and detail! Here are some tips for finishing:
– Look at ruby throated hummingbird photos and mimic the colors. The body is usually green, the beak black, the throat red/orange, and the feet grey.
– Use colored pencils to carefully fill in each part with realistic shading. Add darker shades for definition.
– Draw feather details on the wings, tail, and head with thin pencil lines.
– Color the background with blue to represent the sky or flowers to represent nectar feeding.
– Outline the hummingbird’s shape in a dark color and erase stray sketch marks.
– For a glossy effect, use crayons and go over finished areas with a marker.
– Display your masterpiece with pride!
The great thing about drawing is that every child will create a totally unique interpretation. Whether going for realism or a more imaginative design, encourage kids to have fun with the process. With a little guidance and confidence, their artistic skills will take flight!
Frequently Asked Questions About Drawing Hummingbirds
Still have some questions about how to draw a ruby throated hummingbird? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What if my child is a total beginner? Should we start with even simpler steps?
For very young kids or total drawing beginners, you can break the steps down even further. Focus on drawing basic shapes like circles and teardrops to get used to controlling a pencil. You can build up to more detailed hummingbirds over time.
What reference materials will help my child draw more realistically?
Looking at photos of real hummingbirds in books or online will help familiarize your child with the proportions and colors of ruby throats. Print out a few good reference shots to have on hand for observation while drawing.
Are markers or colored pencils better for coloring in the drawing?
Markers provide bolder, more vivid coloring for younger kids. But colored pencils allow for greater blending, shading, and detail for advanced artists. Use whatever your child is most comfortable with!
How can I frame or display my child’s finished hummingbird drawing?
Displaying your child’s artwork gives them a sense of pride! Matting, framing, or hanging with magnets are great options. You could also scan the drawing and have it printed on a coffee mug, notebook or calendar.
What other birds are good beginner subjects to draw after a hummingbird?
Owls, eagles, swans, and cardinals are birds with basic shapes that translate well into step-by-step drawing lessons. Flamingos and peacocks are also very colorful choices kids will enjoy coloring.
Conclusion
Learning how to draw a ruby throated hummingbird is an engaging project for children of all ages. By following simple step-by-step instructions, even very young kids can create beautiful hummingbird art. This rewarding activity fosters artistic skills, appreciation of nature, and most importantly, creativity and confidence.
The clear directions, visual guides, coloring tips, and helpful FAQs covered in this tutorial make it easy to achieve hummingbird drawing success. So grab some paper and pencils and let your child’s imagination take flight! They will feel so proud of their colorful, sweet little hummingbird when it’s complete.
