How to Draw a Raven: Easy 20-Step Guide for Beginners

Ready to capture the mysterious beauty of a raven? This tutorial is designed for young artists and beginners looking to practice bird anatomy. You will need a pencil, eraser, and paper to follow along as we build this majestic bird from simple shapes to detailed feathers.

20 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A finished, detailed drawing of a raven perched, ready for coloring.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Head

A light pencil sketch of an oval representing the raven's head position.

Draw a medium-sized oval in the top left corner of your paper. Teacher's Tip: Keep this shape light and loose—it's just a guide for the raven's head.

Step 2: Defining the Body

A larger oval added below the head to form the raven's body structure.

Draw a larger, slanted oval below the head for the body. Tip: Angle it toward the bottom right to give your raven a natural, perched posture.

Step 3: Connecting the Neck

Two curved lines connecting the head and body ovals to create the neck.

Connect the head and body with two slightly curved lines. Tip: Keep the neck narrow to maintain the bird's sleek silhouette.

Step 4: Outlining the Tail

Two parallel lines forming the base of the raven's tail feathers.

Draw two long, parallel lines extending from the body to create the tail. Tip: Make the lines curve slightly to follow the bird's natural shape.

Step 5: Sketching the Wing

A large curved line added to the body to represent the folded wing.

Add a large, curved shape on the side of the body for the wing. Tip: Imagine the wing is folded against the body, keeping the lines smooth for now.

Step 6: Adding Feather Texture

Jagged lines added to the neck and tail to simulate the texture of feathers.

Use jagged, zigzag lines along the neck, belly, and tail. Tip: Don't make them too uniform—nature is messy and irregular!

Step 7: Cleaning Up

The drawing after erasing unnecessary guide lines for a cleaner look.

Carefully erase the overlapping guide lines inside the neck and wing. Tip: Use a kneaded eraser if you have one to lift the graphite gently.

Step 8: Drawing the Legs

Two pairs of lines sketched to form the upper part of the raven's legs.

Sketch two sets of curved lines for the legs. Tip: Add a little 'fluff' at the top of the legs using short, quick strokes.

Step 9: Detailing the Feet

Detailed sketch of the raven's feet showing toes and sharp talons.

Draw the toes and talons using small, sharp triangles. Tip: Ravens have strong feet, so make the talons look curved and pointed.

Step 10: Completing the Feet

Final touches added to the raven's feet and claws.

Finish the back toes and add any missing details to the feet. Tip: Ensure the feet look like they are gripping a surface.

Step 11: Drawing the Beak

A sharp, sturdy beak added to the raven's head.

Draw a strong, pointed beak extending from the head. Tip: Ravens have thick, sturdy beaks; don't make it too thin like a songbird's.

Step 12: Final Cleanup

The drawing after final cleanup of the beak and leg areas.

Erase any remaining guide lines on the beak and legs to clarify the outline.

Step 13: Adding Feather Detail

Detailed feather texturing added to the raven's body and neck.

Add small, jagged lines across the body to represent individual feathers. Tip: Focus on the neck and shoulder areas for the most texture.

Step 14: Wing Texture

Curved lines added to the wing to define the flight feathers.

Use swooping, curved lines on the wing to show the shape of the flight feathers.

Step 15: Refining Feathers

Additional curved lines added to the wing to build feather density.

Continue adding layers of curved lines to the wing for a realistic, dense look.

Step 16: Flight Feathers

Long, curved lines added to the wing tip to show primary feathers.

Draw five long, curved lines extending from the wing to represent the primary flight feathers.

Step 17: Tail Details

Diagonal lines added to the tail feathers for added texture.

Add three diagonal, parallel lines to the tail to give it depth.

Step 18: Wing Texture

More curved lines added to the wing to finish the feather detail.

Add more sets of curved lines to the upper wing to complete the feather pattern.

Step 19: Drawing the Eye

Close-up of the raven's eye with a highlight for realism.

Draw a small circle for the eye with a dark pupil inside. Tip: Leave a tiny white dot in the pupil to make the eye look 'alive' and shiny.

Step 20: Coloring Your Raven

The completed raven drawing, shaded with black and gray tones.

Fill in your raven with shades of black and charcoal gray. Tip: Use a light touch with your pencil to create gradients, leaving some areas lighter to show the sheen of the feathers.