How to Draw a Parrot – A Fun and Colorful Parrot Drawing

Parrots are believed to be one of the most intelligent bird species, and this is evident when they mimic our voices! If you are thinking of getting a parrot as a pet, be warned as they can live for up to 80 years! Now that is a long-life commitment. There are roughly 350 known species all belonging to the family of parrots, such as the Spix’s macaw, or as most people will know them as the charming character of Blu from the movie, Rio. Although parrots are not yet endangered, we need to team together to protect these beautiful and talkative birds. 

How to Draw a Parrot in 12 Easy Steps

In today’s drawing tutorial, we will teach you everything you need to know on how to draw a parrot! This is a fully detailed step-by-step tutorial that will show you how to create and paint a vibrantly colored parrot drawing. So, what are you waiting for – let’s grab our tools and get started! 

The below parrot sketch collage demonstrates the steps you will take to achieve your easy parrot drawing.

Step 1: Begin by Drawing the Main Body of Your Parrot Sketch 

Begin your parrot drawing by drawing a teardrop body to represent the main body. Above this, draw an oval shape that will represent the head of the parrot. 

Step 2: Outline the Head 

To draw a realistic head outline, make use of the previously constructed lines to guide you. Begin by drawing the top neckline curving onto the top of the main body. Towards the bottom of the head, draw a curved line with a sharp point to represent the beak. 

Step 3: Draw the Tail and Add the Textures to Your Parrot Sketch

In this step, you will start by drawing the side wing on the main body of your easy parrot drawing. Follow this by drawing the lengthy tail positioned underneath the side wing. Add several lines to the tail. Start to fill the feather layer details within the side wing, from the top of the neck area to the second partially visible wing. Finish this step by drawing two visible claws, and facial features such as the nostrils, eyes, and facial construction lines. 

You may now erase any construction lines, as they are no longer needed. 

Step 4: Add the First Coat of Color 

With a normal brush and bright red paint, evenly color the head, lower neckline, and front half of the side wing. Continue with vibrant blue paint, and color the remaining areas of the side wing. Repeat with teal paint and color the partially visible second wing. Finish adding the first coat of paint with dark red paint, and apply this to the tail and partially exposed leg fur. 

Step 5: Color the External Features of Your Parrot Sketch 

Select a regular brush and gray paint, and evenly color both feet of your parrot drawing. Switch to a fine brush and black paint, and color the mouth area. Switch again to tan paint and color the beak of your parrot. 

Step 6: Add Facial Texture 

Make use of a small brush and black paint, and apply fine brushstrokes around the head area leading onto the neck and front area of the side wing. Continue by applying soft shading around the edges of the side wing. Switching to yellow paint, softly trace the feather patterns along the neck. Moving onto the tail, lightly paint the tip of the tail with blue paint. Repeat this with black paint to add a soft shading. 

Step 7: Color Blend the Feathers 

Begin by selecting a small, soft brush and bright green paint, and softly blend the feather layers. Repeat using teal paint focusing mainly on the darker blue areas. Make use of a blending brush to further blend the colors into one another. Switch to dark green or olive green paint, and apply soft shading to the edges of each feather.

Continue with a fine brush and light green paint, and apply fine highlights onto each feather. 

Step 8: Add Color to the Face 

You are on your way to creating a vibrantly colored parrot drawing! To do this, select a fine brush and white paint, and fill the bottom half of the face. Repeat by applying curving brush strokes around the eye. Allow for small areas to show the first color coat. Fill in the iris with black paint. Combining black and red paint, apply texture lines to the lower facial pattern. 

Step 9: Color Blend the Beak 

Make use of a soft brush and white paint, and apply a light fade to the top part of the beak. Apply soft shading on the edges of the beak using black paint. Switch to orange paint and apply a soft splatter onto the beak. Change over to a fine brush and white paint, and add fine texture lines to the beak. 

Step 10: Texture the Feet of Your Parrot Sketch 

With a fine brush and black paint, add fine hairline streaks within the feet. Repeat this step using white paint and enhance the texture coats. 

Step 11: Add a Ground Shadow 

Using black paint and a small brush, add soft spots beneath the feet and tail of your easy parrot drawing. Switch to a blending brush and spread out the edges of the shadow. 

Step 12: Finalize Your Easy Parrot Drawing 

With a fine, sharp brush and the corresponding colors, trace the entire figure of your parrot drawing. Any visible outlines and texture lines will be smoothed out to create a flawless final look. 

Wow! You have just created a vibrantly colored parrot drawing. You should be extremely proud of yourself, as color blending can sometimes be quite tricky. Luckily, in our how to draw a parrot drawing tutorial, we took you step-by-step to creating a realistic parrot that was easy to draw! 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How to Draw a Parrot and Make It Look Realistic? 

Drawing a parrot and making it look realistic seems hard, but it is quite simple. By taking the construction process step-by-step, you will be able to outline a perfect and realistic parrot. Follow along on our drawing tutorial and we will show you exactly how to do it. 

Can My Parrot Drawing Be Any Color? 

Of course! Parrots are known for their vibrant and beautiful colors. You can create any color and any pattern you wish for your parrot drawing. You aren’t limited in options at all! Just make sure that the colors you choose complement one another. 

Matthew Matthysen( Drawing and Painting Artist )

Matthew Matthysen is an educated multidisciplinary artist and illustrator. He successfully completed his art degree at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, majoring in art history and contemporary drawing. The focus of his thesis was to explore the philosophical implications of the macro and micro-universe on the human experience. Matthew uses diverse media, such as written and hands-on components, to explore various approaches that are on the border between philosophy and science.

Matthew organized various exhibitions before and during his years as a student and is still passionate about doing so today. He currently works as a freelance artist and writer in various fields. He also has a permanent position at a renowned online gallery (ArtGazette) where he produces various works on commission. As a freelance artist, he creates several series and successfully sells them to galleries and collectors. He loves to use his work and skills in various fields of interest.

Matthew has been creating drawing and painting tutorials since the relaunch in 2020. Through his involvement with artincontext.org, he has been able to deepen his knowledge of various painting mediums. For example, watercolor techniques, calligraphy and lately digital drawing, which is becoming more and more popular.

Learn more about Matthew Matthysen and the Art in Context Team.