Step-by-Step: How to Draw a Chook (Beginners Will Be Amazing!)

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or just want to refine your drawing skills, learning how to draw a chicken is a fun and rewarding project! Birds are delightful creatures, and with just a few simple steps, you can create a charming chicken drawing that impresses—no artistic experience required.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down the process into easy-to-follow steps so even first-time artists can confidently bring a chook to life on paper. Let’s get started!

Understanding the Context


Step 1: Start with Basic Shapes

Begin by sketching light, simple shapes to form the foundation of your chicken:

  • Draw a large oval or egg shape for the body.
  • Add a smaller circle on top for the head.
  • Sketch a small triangle or wedge shape at the beak end—this helps position the head and beak correctly.

Key Insights

Think of these shapes as your “blueprint”—they don’t have to be perfect, just relative to proportions.


Step 2: Add the Neck and Legs

From the bottom of the head shape:

  • Draw a long, slightly curved neck line connecting the head to the body.
  • Sketch two straight, thin legs beneath the body—one in front and one behind, positioned proportionally. Keep these legs fairly simple with just a few lines for balance.

Final Thoughts

This step establishes the chicken’s posture and readiness to walk.


Step 3: Shape the Head and Beak

Return to the top of the head shape:

  • Define the eyes and beak with small ovals or triangles.
  • Add a gentle curve above the beak to suggest a smile or alert expression—great for personality!
  • For the leg details, refine the legs, adding toes with small, curved lines to show feathers and claws.

A crisp beak and quick eyes make your chicken look expressive and alive.


Step 4: Outline the Feathers

Now it’s time to define the feathers:

  • Start from the back of the head and draw soft, overlapping curved lines flowing toward the tail. Chicken feathers taper and fan out, so add gentle curve variations.
  • Add a small cluster of feathers around the neck and back to enhance realism.
  • For the tail feathers, use layered, fan-shaped strokes radiating outward.