How to Draw a Turkey: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Drawing a turkey may seem challenging, but with some basic sketching techniques and an understanding of turkey anatomy anyone can create a fun turkey illustration. As a beginner artist I have found that breaking down a complex subject like a turkey into simple shapes and steps helps me tackle a drawing that previously seemed daunting.

In this article, I’ll walk you through a simple, step-by-step method for drawing an cute cartoon turkey. With a bit of patience and practice, you’ll be amazed at the turkey drawing you can create.

Supplies You’ll Need

• Drawing paper – any blank white printer paper or a sketchpad will do
• Pencil – #2 pencil or drawing pencils like 4B or 6B
• Eraser – a kneaded eraser is best for lifting graphite cleanly
• Coloring supplies (optional) – crayons, colored pencils, markers or paints for coloring your finished turkey

Step 1: Draw a Large Oval for the Body

• Lightly sketch a large oval shape near the middle of your paper. This will be the basic framework for your turkey’s oval body.
• Make sure to leave enough room at the top, bottom and sides for the head, feet and tail feathers later on.

Step 2: Add a Smaller Oval for the Head

• Draw a smaller oval shape above the body oval, overlapping it slightly.
• This will form the basic shape of the turkey’s head. Add a diagonal line under the head for the turkey’s beak.

Step 3: Sketch the Neck & Facial Features

• Draw a diagonal curved line connecting the body to the back of the head to form the neck.
• Add small circles for eyes and another curved line for the mouth. You can also sketch some lines around the beak for the turkey’s wattle if you like.

Step 4: Draw the Legs & Feet

• On each side of the body oval, sketch two long, thin ovals for the legs.
• At the bottom of each leg, draw a sideways letter C shape for the feet. Add a few curved bumps on each foot for the toes.

Step 5: Add the Tail Feathers

• At the back of the body, draw a fan-like cluster of long, feather-shaped curves spreading up and out to represent the turkey’s tail feathers.
• You can add as many tail feathers as you like – turkeys have quite a magnificent plumage!

Step 6: Finish the Details

• Go back in and reinforce your initial sketch lines, darkening them to finish off your turkey illustration.
• Add some details like feathers along the belly, scalloping on the tail feathers and lines on the legs and feet for texture.

Step 7: Color Your Turkey (Optional)

• If desired, use crayons, colored pencils, markers or paint to color your turkey drawing.
• Try using browns, oranges, yellows, greens, blues and purples for a vibrant, life-like turkey coloring. Don’t forget to add color to the wattle, beak, eyes and feet too.

And there you have it – a cute cartoon turkey drawing! With some basic shapes and a little coloring, you can create a fun illustration perfect for Thanksgiving arts and crafts Once you get comfortable with this beginner method, try drawing turkeys in different poses like side profiles, turkeys with full spread tails, or even a scene with multiple turkeys.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind for your next turkey drawing:

Focus on Simple Shapes

Circles, ovals, curved lines and angles are the basic building blocks for drawing turkeys and many other animals. Master these fundamental shapes and you’ll be able to draw a turkey’s body, head, beak and tail configuration more easily.

Pay Attention to Turkey Anatomy

Study photos and illustrations of real turkeys to note key anatomical features like the wattle snood fan-shaped tail and feather patterning. Observing these real turkey qualities will lend more lifelike detail to your cartoony drawing.

Practice Makes Perfect

Drawing is a skill that improves with repetition and critique. Even professional artists had to start somewhere. Don’t get discouraged – the more turkeys you sketch, the better your drawings will become.