How to Draw an Owl Face: Easy 9-Step Guide for Kids

This owl face tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5 and up. You only need a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to bring this wise bird to life. Follow along to practice basic geometric shapes and symmetry while creating a charming woodland character.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished drawing of a cute owl face, perfect for beginners.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Eye Bases

Pencil sketch showing two oval eye shapes with pupils for an owl face drawing.

Draw two light, egg-shaped ovals side-by-side. Inside each, add a smaller circle for the pupils. Teacher's Tip: Keep these shapes light and airy; they are just the foundation for your owl's expressive eyes.

Step 2: Adding the Beak

Drawing a small diamond-shaped beak between the owl's eyes.

Draw a rounded diamond shape between the eyes for the beak. Use gentle curves to create the points. Teacher's Tip: Think of this as a small, sideways kite shape.

Step 3: Creating the Face Mask

Adding triangular feather details around the owl's eyes and beak.

Connect the eyes and beak using small, triangular 'flame' shapes. This creates the owl's signature facial disk. Teacher's Tip: Use short, quick strokes to make the edges look like soft feathers.

Step 4: Shaping the Head

Drawing curved eyebrow ridges above the owl's eyes.

Draw a curved line over each eye, ending in a point to form the eyebrow ridge. Teacher's Tip: These curves give your owl a thoughtful, wise expression.

Step 5: Defining the Head Feathers

Adding pointed ear tufts to the top of the owl's head.

Add more triangular shapes along the top and sides of the head to create the ear tufts. Teacher's Tip: Owls use these tufts to communicate, so make them look perky!

Step 6: Adding Fluffy Texture

Drawing fluffy, cloud-like lines on the sides of the owl's head.

Use loose, rounded lines on the sides of the head to represent fluffy feathers. Teacher's Tip: Don't worry about making these lines perfectly smooth; feathers are naturally messy and soft.

Step 7: Drawing the Body

Outlining the owl's chest and body with soft, curved lines.

Extend two vertical lines downward and add curved triangles to outline the chest. Teacher's Tip: Imagine you are drawing a soft, cozy sweater for your owl.

Step 8: Adding Chest Details

Adding small dash marks to the owl's chest to represent feathers.

Add small dashes on the body to suggest feather patterns. Teacher's Tip: Keep these marks short and spaced out to avoid overcrowding the drawing.

Step 9: Final Touches

Completed line art of a cartoon owl face.

Refine your lines and add any final fluff details. You can even draw a branch or a nest in the background! Teacher's Tip: Use your eraser to clean up any overlapping lines from your initial sketch.

Step 10: Bringing Your Owl to Life with Color

A fully colored, friendly cartoon owl face.

Trace your lines with a black marker. Use warm reddish-browns for the feathers, a soft gray for the beak, and bright yellow for the eyes. Teacher's Tip: Leave a tiny white dot in the pupils to make the eyes look shiny and alive!