Easy drawing · step by step

How to draw an owl

Meet Hazel. In 16 easy steps you’ll draw a cute owl sitting on a branch, with ear tufts, a heart-shaped face and big round eyes, using a pencil and paper: two circles to start, then the wings, feathers and shading.

16 steps
Beginner
Pencil and paper

Or follow the steps

A finished pencil drawing of a cute owl with ear tufts, a heart-shaped face and big round eyes, sitting on a branch — Hazel, finished

You’ll need

A pencil (an HB is fine)
Paper
An eraser

Draw an owl, step by step

This step’s lines
Already drawn

Draw everything in pencil: the blue only shows what’s new in each step. Save all 16 steps to Pinterest

STEP 1Guide lines
Head and body guides
Start light: a big circle for the head, and another circle below it for the body, overlapping it a little.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 11.
STEP 2Guide lines
Ear, wing and branch guides
Two short lines up from the top of the head for the ear tufts, a curve down each side of the body for the wings, and one long line across the bottom for the branch.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 11.
STEP 3Outline
The head
Now the outline: from the tip of the left ear tuft, over the top of the head to the right one, down the right side, along under the chin, and back up the left side to where you started.
STEP 4Outline
The face
The face is shaped like a heart. From beside the beak, go round the right eye and up to the dip in the middle, then down round the left eye. Then the round beak, with a little curved line inside for the tip.
STEP 5Outline
The eyes
Two big eyes: an almond shape with a little pointed corner on the outside, and a big round circle inside it. Then a small circle in each for the glint. Just outlines for now.
STEP 6Outline
The tummy
The round tummy: down the left side from under the chin and round the bottom, a short line in the middle where the feet will go, then down the right side and round the bottom towards it.
STEP 7Outline
The wings
Now the wings, folded at the sides. On the left, a curve outside the tummy with a short feather line inside it. On the right, a long curve down to a point, two long feather lines inside, and a short edge back to the tummy.
STEP 8Outline
Chest feathers
A few little feather marks across the chest, like small u and w shapes. Keep them light and loose.
STEP 9Outline
The feet
Now the feet, hanging down from the bottom of the tummy: three chubby, rounded toes on each, curling over where the branch will go.
STEP 10Outline
Branch and tail
The branch goes behind the feet. From the right foot, two lines out to the right. Then a short line between the feet, and on to the left: along the bottom, out round a little twig, round the end, and back along the top past another twig. Last, the round tail feathers hanging down below.
STEP 11Clean lines
Erase the guides
Rub out the circles and guide lines. Only the owl stays.
STEP 12Clean lines
Go over the outline
Now press harder and go over the outside edge of the whole owl and the branch, so they stand out from the lines inside.
STEP 13Shading
Shadow side
The light comes from the top left. Shade the side away from it with a soft, even tone. Keep most of the owl white.
STEP 14Shading
Cast shadow
A soft shadow under the branch, so it sits on the page.
STEP 15Shading
Deep shadows
Press a little harder in the deepest places: under the chin, on the right wing and where the tummy meets the branch.
STEP 16Shading
The darks
Last of all, fill in the pupils, leaving the glints white.

Tips for a better owl

Two overlapping circles
A big circle for the head and another for the body, overlapping a little. Keep them light: they get rubbed out in step 11.
A heart for the face
The face is a heart shape round the eyes: it’s what makes it look like an owl.
Keep the feathers loose
A few little u and w shapes across the chest are enough: keep them light and loose.
Chubby toes over the branch
Three rounded toes on each foot, curling over where the branch will go.
Shade away from the light
Shade the side away from the light, keep most of the owl white, and press harder under the chin and on the far wing.

Hazel’s world has 9 more drawings

DrawRabbit has 95 narrated drawings in 10 worlds, from axolotls to dragons. You draw each one with a real pencil and paper, and the first drawing in every world is free.

Peeking out
First flight
Full moon
The old barn

Free to start · iPhone and iPad

Questions

Is this owl easy to draw?

Yes. It starts with two overlapping circles and a few guide lines, so the shape is right before you add any detail, and each step only adds a little.

What do I need?

A pencil, paper and an eraser. Draw the first steps lightly: the guide lines are rubbed out in step 11.

How do I draw an owl’s face?

It’s shaped like a heart: from beside the beak, round one eye up to a dip in the middle, then down round the other eye. Then two big almond eyes with a round circle inside each, and a little round beak.

Can kids draw it?

Yes. It’s made for beginners of any age. If reading the steps is hard, the draw-along talks you through each line while it draws.

What is DrawRabbit?

A drawing app for iPhone and iPad: narrated, step-by-step lessons you follow with a real pencil and paper. 95 drawings in 10 worlds, free to start, no account needed.

Made by DrawRabbit, from the app’s own narrated lesson: the step pictures are drawn by the same stroke-by-stroke player. Updated 21 October 2026.