How to Draw a Feather

Feathers could be used as pens as well as decorations. Do you want to draw your own personal feather? Here are easy steps on how to draw one!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Drawing a Traditional Feather

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    1
    Draw an elongated oval. Draw a line bisecting the oval.
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    2
    Sketch in details, like the thickness of the middle line and the vane as well.
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    3
    Outline your feather and erase guidelines.
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    4
    Color it.

Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Drawing a Cartoon Feather

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    1
    Draw an elongated oval tilted to the right. Draw a middle diagonal line from the tip of the oval to the base and extending a little outside the oval.
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    2
    Draw feathery strokes or edgings to the oblong.
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    3
    Trace with a pen and erase unnecessary lines.
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    4
    Color to your liking!

Community Q&A

  • Question
    What if it's hard to add the fluff?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    For the fluff, you may need to use a different pencil. Make sure the pencil is really sharp, and use small motions.
  • Question
    How do I keep the drawing from looking too shaded?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Refrain from smudging the paper with your hands, and if that doesn't work, use an eraser to lightly erase any over-the-top shading.
  • Question
    How do I draw a twisted feather?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try to look at images of ribbons and how they're twisted. Draw the basic shape of the feather as you would a ribbon, then add the actual feather.
  • Question
    What if I'm using an iPad/mobile?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use a stylus, and choose a thin "tip" from whatever app you're using. Try not to go too fast, because on a drawing app it is much harder to selectively erase.
  • Question
    How do I draw a quill with ink?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Draw it the same way it said above, but make the tip of the vane where the ink would be a bit thicker.
  • Question
    I'm doing a Native American feather. What should I use as a model, a traditional feather or a cartoon one?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use realistic feathers as a reference. Unless you are doing your drawing in a cartoon style, then use cartoon feathers. Look up images online as references.

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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 327,283 times.
146 votes - 67%
Co-authors: 23
Updated: August 23, 2019
Views: 327,283
Categories: Drawing Birds
Article SummaryX

To draw a feather, start by sketching a long oval with a line going lengthwise through the center. Next, sketch in the center quill and add details like each strand on the feather. Then, outline your drawing and erase the guidelines. Once you’re happy with your drawing, add some color to it, or sketch in shading to make it look more realistic. For tips on how to make a more cartoonish-looking feather, read on!

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