How to Draw a Penguin

This lesson will show you how to draw a penguin, add its characteristic pattern, and give it a three-dimensional, realistic appearance.

For this penguin drawing lesson, we will, as always, use our classical academic style, with all the shadows, highlights, and a sense of volume in the drawing.

However, this method will differ from the bird drawing lesson we showed before, because here we will first create the overall volumes, gradually carving out the larger forms and then the smaller details.

At the end, we will add the penguin’s characteristic coloring and draw volumetric shadows, using an academic yet very clear and understandable style throughout the process.

How to draw a penguin step by step

Step 1: Block in the basic outlines

Outline the general shape and placement of the penguin on the paper as a large block of marble without any clear details – only the main planes of the future drawing. Use very light, barely visible lines and position the subject correctly on the page compositionally.

Step 2: Draw the head and beak of the penguin

Now begin gradually forming the main large elements of the penguin’s body, like a sculptor carving parts out of a single volume. Start with the head by outlining its shape and the long characteristic beak with a slight downward curve.

Step 3: Mark the torso and wing outline

Continue the lines of the head smoothly into the outline of the torso, giving it a more recognizable form. Then indicate the position of the wing, giving it the correct shape, and draw the tail at the back of the body. For all of this, continue using very light, loose, and rough lines.

Step 4: Draw the legs of the penguin

In the lower part of the body, sketch the penguin’s legs, which consist of short ankles and fairly massive, flat feet. Keep linear perspective in mind so that the rear foot is slightly smaller than the one closer to the viewer.

Step 5: Add the eye and refine the beak

Now begin adding details, refining the shapes and slowly giving the penguin drawing a more finished appearance. Again, start from the upper part and draw the penguin’s eye as a clearly visible geometric shape. Then refine the beak with a couple of smooth lines.

Step 6: Draw the penguin head in detail

Carefully draw the outline of the penguin’s head, gradually erasing unnecessary construction lines and giving the contours a smoother appearance. Try not to focus on only one area; instead, work on different parts step by step, returning to them repeatedly.

Step 7: Refine the penguin’s body and tail

Repeat the same process with the penguin’s body, slowly refining the outlines of the torso and tail. In the lower part of the tail, add the characteristic feather texture using short, broken, slightly curved lines.

Step 8: Trace the wing and add the pattern

The penguin’s wing has a very characteristic shape – it is thin and slightly curved at the upper part. Outline the wing with more confident lines, refining its form. Then, using lighter lines, sketch the pattern, either repeating the example shown or creating a different variation.

Step 9: Draw the penguin toes

Using clear, dark lines, carefully draw the penguin’s toes individually, keeping in mind that they have a defined structure. Each toe should end with a small, sharp claw. Remember that even at such a small scale, the principles of linear and aerial perspective still apply.

Step 10: Clean up the bird drawing

Erase the construction lines from the drawing, removing everything that prevents it from looking clean and neat. As you do this, refine and finalize the lines, making those slightly closer to the viewer a bit darker than those farther away so that aerial perspective and volume become more visible.

Step 11: Shade the dark body areas

First, evenly shade the dark areas of the penguin’s body, trying not to make them too dark. At this stage, you can begin lightly indicating the areas that will be more illuminated than others. Carefully shade the eyes, leaving small highlights inside them.

Step 12: Add shadows to the bird

First, you can lightly outline the contours of the shadows with very soft lines, then carefully fill these areas with even hatching. Keep in mind that shadows on the dark areas of the penguin’s body should be slightly darker than those on the light areas.

Step 13: Review and finalize the penguin drawing

Check the tonal relationships and add a bit more contrast if necessary. Also review the entire drawing for symmetry and proportions, adding finishing touches in areas where something seems to be missing.

As you may have noticed, drawing a penguin in a realistic, three-dimensional style is not very difficult – you only need to follow the basic principles of academic drawing.

The same animal can also be drawn in a simpler style, which we have already shown in our other drawing lessons.

Practicing different styles is a very good way to train your artistic skills, so try practicing drawing a penguin in various styles yourself.

In addition, a good way to improve your skills is drawing a penguin in different poses, as much as the relatively limited mobility of this animal allows.

Drawing in context is another very important practice that is often underestimated by artists. Try creating a full scene with a penguin walking through a snowy landscape or draw a group of penguins.

Another useful exercise is studying how to draw other animals, since this both develops your artistic skills and allows you to return to drawing a penguin with new techniques.

For example, you can expand your knowledge base by drawing a dove or completing our bat drawing lesson.

These are completely different animals that both have wings and, while they are drawn very differently, still share the same fundamental classical drawing principles at their core.