How do you draw a easy raven?

Drawing a simple raven can be a fun and easy way to practice sketching birds. Ravens have a distinctive shape with a thick neck, wide wings, and a long wedge-shaped tail. With some basic shapes and a few details, anyone can learn how to draw an easy raven.

What tools do you need to draw a simple raven?

To draw a basic raven, you just need a pencil and paper. Sketching with a regular pencil allows you to lightly block in shapes and erase mistakes easily. Once you’re happy with your sketch, you can go over the final lines in pen or marker. Here are the basic steps for the tools you’ll need:

• Pencil – Use a regular graphite pencil in a standard hardness like HB or No. 2.
• Paper – Have a sheet of blank printer paper, drawing paper, or mixed media paper.
• Eraser – Keep a good eraser handy to remove guide lines and fix mistakes.
• Pen or Marker – Go over finished lines in black pen or marker to make them crisp.

As a beginner, basic tools are all you need to practice sketching a simple raven. Advanced artists may use charcoal, pens, graphite powder, or color to render more realistic ravens. But you can create nice looking raven drawings with just simple pencils and paper when you’re starting out.

How do you begin a basic raven sketch?

When drawing any animal, it’s best to start with light guide lines and basic shapes. Here are the steps for starting a simple raven sketch:

1. Draw a large oval for the raven’s body.
2. Add an oval for the head, connecting it to the body.
3. Sketch two lines at angles for the thick neck and pointed beak.
4. Draw two short lines on the lower body for the legs.
5. Add a long rectangle for the tail above the legs.
6. Sketch two wide ovals for the wings attached to the sides.

Take your time laying in these initial guide lines and shapes lightly in pencil. You’ll reinforce the final lines later. Getting the proportions and placements accurate from the start will make the rest of the drawing process easier.

What details should you add to finish the raven sketch?

Once you have the basic shapes mapped out, you can start adding details to finish your easy raven drawing. Here are some key features to include:

• Refine the head, beak and neck shapes.
• Add feet shapes at the ends of the legs.
• Draw the wing feathers using rows of long oval shapes.
• Finish the tail feathers with slightly curved lines.
• Add the raven’s eye with a circle and pupil.
• Lightly sketch textures for the feathers on the body.

Take your time finishing the details. Draw lightly and work gradually darker once you’re happy with the placement. Practice makes perfect when learning to draw different textures like feathers.

How can you perfect the shapes and enhance details?

To really make your simple raven drawing stand out, take these extra steps to perfect the shapes and enhance details:

• Refine the overall proportions and pose as needed.
• Darken key lines for definition and go over in pen.
• Erase any remaining guide lines.
• Add heavier shading to the black feathers.
• Create feather textures with crisscross strokes.
• Shade the tip of the beak and claws for dimension.
• Adjust details like feather sizes and placements.

Don’t be afraid to keep fixing your drawing until you’re happy with it. Letting the inks dry between passes will prevent smudging. Varying your pencil pressure creates darker and lighter values.

Developing Your Raven Drawing Skills

Learning to draw lifelike ravens takes a lot of practice. But you can improve your bird drawing skills using these tips:

Study raven reference photos

Observing photos of ravens helps familiarize you with their structure and feather patterns. Notice details like:

• The glossy black plumage and thick neck feathers.
• The differences between male and female raven size and beak shape.
• The shaggy throat feathers called the “beard”.
• The wedge-shaped tail with longer middle feathers.

Examining good reference images trains your eye to recreate ravens accurately. Print some photos to sketch from as examples.

Practice gesture drawing

Gesture sketches help you capture a pose rapidly. Set a timer for 30 seconds to 5 minutes and do quick sketches of ravens in different poses. Focus on overall shapes and lines of movement. Gesture drawing builds understanding of raven proportions and anatomy.

Try different drawing techniques

Expanding your artistic skills helps you render ravens in varied ways. Experiment with:

• Detailed sketches using graphite pencils.
• Ink drawings with pens, brushes, and nibs.
• Watercolor raven paintings.
• Colored pencil techniques to show iridescent feathers.
• Silhouettes emphasizing the raven shape.

Learning new art techniques keeps your drawing skills sharp. Consider taking an art course or tutorial to expand your abilities.

Study the work of master artists

Looking at great historical raven drawings teaches composition ideas and art principles. Observe paintings by acclaimed bird artists like:

• James Audubon – Precise realism and dramatic poses.
• Louis Agassiz Fuertes – Crisp lines and excellent feather textures.
• George Miksch Sutton – Vivid, accurate watercolors of birds.
• Bruno Liljefors – Expressionistic brushwork and varied color.

Let the classic methods and compositions influence your own raven drawings without directly copying.

Draw from life at zoos or nature centers

Nothing beats drawing directly from live ravens to understand their forms. Visit raven habitats like:

• Zoos – Sketch captive ravens in naturalistic enclosures.
• Wildlife centers – Draw injured ravens undergoing rehabilitation.
• Nature preserves – Watch wild ravens and quickly sketch poses.

Drawing live ravens gives insight into how they move and act. Bring a sketchbook and binoculars to get clear views.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Beginners often make similar mistakes when learning to draw ravens. Being aware of common errors will help you avoid developing bad habits:

Not using enough reference material

Drawing ravens solely from imagination makes it harder to portray them accurately. Always use good photo references for guidance. Check multiple sources to better understand raven structure and feather patterns. Remember that photos supplement but don’t replace studying live birds.

Rushing the process

Taking time to carefully lay in each step leads to better drawings. Slow down and don’t rush through the initial construction, details, or shading. Fix any issues as you go to prevent having to start over. Drawing can’t be rushed if you want the best results.

Overblending shading

Blending pencil shading too smoothly creates muddy, indistinct values. Layers of loose pencil strokes better mimic soft feathers. Use a very light touch and allow texture to show through. Reserve very soft blending for key areas only.

Not varying line weights

Using uniform thin or shaky lines makes drawings look amateurish. Tailor your lines based on what’s being depicted. Draw soft, thick lines for feather contours and middle tail edges. Use crisp, thin lines for details like feet, beaks, and finishing feathers.

Smudging and fingerprints

Dirty hands can leave oily smudges and fingerprints on your drawing. Always keep your hands clean while working. Also fix areas immediately if you accidentally touch wet media. Letting smudges remain results in a messy, amateur look.

Conclusion

Drawing simplified ravens makes for great sketching practice. First lightly block in the main shapes, then gradually add details. Refine your drawing skills by studying reference photos, mastering techniques, and sketching live ravens. Avoid common mistakes like rushing your work or overblending. With some patience and practice, you can master drawing easy, graceful ravens.

The raven’s iconic shape and expressive nature makes it an endless source of artistic inspiration. Work on perfecting your raven drawing method to capture their elegance and intelligence. Then experiment with adding unique poses, settings, and artistic styles. Soon you’ll be able to easily draw impressive ravens from imagination.

Here is a quick visual summary of the step-by-step process for drawing a simple raven:

1. Lightly sketch the basic shapes – body, head, beak, legs, tail, wings.
2. Add structural details like feet, feather patterns, and textures.
3. Refine proportions and emphasize key lines.
4. Develop shading for a 3D, realistic look.

Follow these fundamental steps each time to practice your raven drawing skills. Over time, your observation and technique will improve.

To recap, here are some key tips to remember:

• Use good photo references for accuracy.
• Start with light guide lines before darker details.
• Vary your pencil pressure for shading.
• Take your time and don’t rush each stage.
• Study raven photos, paintings, and live birds.
• Practice gesture drawing to capture movement.
• Avoid smudging and overblending shading.

Mastering the art of drawing ravens simply requires patience and persistence. Follow the fundamentals and learn from both your successes and mistakes. Soon you’ll be adeptly sketching these clever, quirky birds from your imagination.