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Learn How to Draw a Hummingbird in Flight Easily

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures, known for their delicate size and rapid wing movements. In this guide, I’ll show you how to draw a hummingbird step by step, capturing its elegant form, long beak, and spread wings in flight.

Understanding the Features of a Hummingbird

  • Small, compact body with a slightly rounded chest
  • Long, needle-like beak designed for sipping nectar
  • Large, expressive eyes
  • Thin and delicate legs tucked beneath the body
  • Wings spread wide, with feather layers adding depth
  • A slightly fanned-out tail for balance in flight

If you enjoy drawing birds, you might also like sketching a blue jay, a kingfisher, or a sparrow.

Breaking Down the Drawing Process

To help with each step, I use a color-coded system:

  • Red Color: Highlights the current step
  • Black Color: Represents previously drawn lines
  • Grey Color: Shows the basic sketch foundation

These colors will guide you through the process and ensure clarity as you build up the details.

Step 1: In this guide, there are 17 steps. We’ll start by creating a basic sketch of the hummingbird in flight. Draw a circle for the head and a simple shape using a straight and curved line to form the body.

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How to draw a hummingbird, step 1, creating a basic sketch for the head and body

Step 2: Here we complete the basic sketch. Use simple lines to outline the beak and draw a circle where the eye will be. Similar to how we shaped the body, sketch the wings, and use slightly curved lines to define the tail’s shape and size.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 2, completing the basic sketch with outlines of the beak, eye, wings, and tail

Step 3: From this step, we start adding details based on the basic sketch. Here, create the defined outline of the hummingbird’s beak.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 3, detailing the beak outline

Step 4: In this step, draw the outline of the upper part of the head using a series of slightly curved short lines to show the feather texture. Start from the top of the beak, drawn in the previous step, and extend these lines to form the upper head and the start of the back, up to the wing closest to us.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 4, outlining the upper head and back

Step 5: Add details to the beak by drawing a line to separate the upper and lower parts, and include details at the base. At the spot marked for the eye, draw a black circle with a small unshaded area for the highlight.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 5, adding beak and eye details

Step 6: In this step, add small details around the eye and along the direction towards the beak, as well as at the lower part of the beak where it connects to the bird’s head.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 6, adding details around the eye and beak connection

Step 7: Starting from the lower right side of the head circle, draw the front part of the neck and body down to the leg, which is curled in flight. This is the leg closest to us, and we’ll draw its three front toes with claws in this step.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 7, drawing the neck, front body, and curled leg

Step 8: In this step, we’ll start drawing the wing closest to us, based on the basic sketch. Draw the front part of the wing and the first visible feather at the tip, using a single curved line to outline its shape.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 8, drawing the front part of the wing and first feather

Step 9: Now draw the back part of the wing, which is the lower outline from this perspective. Use a series of curved lines resembling hooks, varying in length, as shown in the reference, continuing up to the bird’s body.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 9, drawing the back part of the wing

Step 10: Complete the drawing of the leg by adding the missing toe at the back. Also, draw the lower part of the body, focusing on the feathered area under the tail, as shown in the reference image.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 10, completing the leg and drawing the lower body

Step 11: Draw the second leg in a similarly curled position, typical for these birds in flight.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 11, drawing the second leg

Step 12: Draw a line below the wing we previously sketched to outline the back. From this line, add a series of simple curved lines, as shown, to depict the feathers and form the tail.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 12, drawing the back and tail feathers

Step 13: In this step of our guide on how to draw a hummingbird in flight, we’ll complete the overall outline by adding the second wing, which is partially visible from this perspective. Base its shape on the basic sketch and outline it accordingly.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 13, outlining the partially visible second wing

Step 14: We’ll start adding small details inside the outlines created in the previous steps. Now, let’s add feather texture details to the inner part of the wing closest to us and include a few simple lines at the wing’s base to highlight the texture in that area.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 14, adding feather texture details to the inner wing

Step 15: Add the final small details by drawing a series of short and long lines along the body, and longer lines on the wings for feather texture. This enhances the lifelike appearance of the hummingbird.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 15, adding final details to the body and wings

Step 16: Erase the basic sketch for a cleaner drawing, adding any missing details and removing unnecessary lines. Optionally, you can outline the final sketch with a pen or ink, then erase all pencil lines once the ink dries for a sharper result.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 16, erasing the basic sketch for a clean finish

Step 17: Now that we’ve completed the sketch, you can bring your hummingbird to life by coloring it. Use vibrant colors and shades to give it a recognizable look. Feel free to use the reference provided or choose your own palette to match your style.

How to draw a hummingbird, step 17, coloring the finished sketch

Bravo on Completing the Steps!

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Once the structure is in place, refine the shape, add feather details, and make sure the wings are symmetrical. You can also include shading and light strokes to create the appearance of soft, iridescent feathers.

Finished your drawing? I’d love to see your work! Share your completed sketch in the comments of the pinned post on Pinterest and check out what other artists have created.

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