This guide shows how to draw a Lorikeet in 20 steps and uses the bright patterns of the rainbow lorikeet as the reference. The species is known for its blue head, green wings, and vivid chest bands. Sometimes it is referred to simply as the rainbow parrot. The bird is native to Australia but can also be found in places where it has been introduced, including New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Lorikeet Appearance Notes
- Head: Rounded shape with a bright blue color.
- Beak: Short, curved, usually orange or red.
- Chest: Red and blue bands in layered stripes.
- Wings: Green with simple overlapping feather shapes.
- Body: Compact form with smooth transitions.
- Tail: Long and narrow with pointed tips.
- Feet: Two forward toes and two backward toes for gripping.
- Pose: Perched on a branch.
After finishing this parrot, it may be interesting to draw other birds with similar structures such as a budgie, a bluebird, a kingfisher or an African grey for more bird drawing practice.
Guide Structure and Step Indicators
The drawing process starts with light shapes for the head, beak, and body before adding the details. The colors are added after the outline is complete. Each step is explained using a simple color system:
- Red Color: new lines added in the current step.
- Black Color: completed lines from earlier steps.
- Grey Color: basic sketch lines used for proportions.
Now that you know how to draw a Lorikeet, it would be great to see what you came up with. The pinned Pinterest post for this tutorial is a good spot to share your finished piece, since other artists working through the same guide will actually see it there. You can also follow along with new guides by signing up for the weekly email digest using the form at the top of this page, or catch updates on Facebook and video content on the YouTube channel.