How to Draw a Cartoon Vulture

In this bird-oriented lesson - drawing a cartoon vulture, see if you can come up with something totally similar to this bird, yet at the same time - different in your own way.

For the one you see above, I used strictly my imagination to compose this look. For sure - a reference image is helpful to get those key features down. Buy you'll be surprised with how 'vulturish' you can make your drawing - simply from memory.

Time to draw!

Learn How to Draw a Cartoon Vulture

Beginning with a framework - use a circle and an oval to bring the core structure of your bird into view. You'll notice if you've tackled other bird lessons here on the site, I use a similar approach to most of them.

Really, the key is in the features which distinguish from bird to bird - rather than the general shape...

These lines will help you map out beak, wing and tail...

Alright - to the drawing now. As you can see below - the beak fits nicely just under the cross - centralizing the sphere/circle that becomes its head...

And then slowly bringing the shape (and odd shape at that!) of the vulture's head into view - here's what we've got. Add the pupils too if you like...

Different from an eagle or hawk, these birds are basically bald up top. And like a ring around the base of there neck - there's a circle of feathers like so...

Bringing the body of your bird into view now...

And continue on by sketching in the other parts - bringing the tail and feet into view. As always - experiment with different looks. More toes... more feathers, a bigger wing... which ever!

Nice - I'm really liking this bird with a mean sort of look... suits the character of it I think. How about yours - nice? mean? neutral???

But of course - the color says it all. The bright reddish orange here really gives it a cool look...

Touch up your drawing - details, some more color, etc... and you're all finished! Hope you had fun with the lesson. More on the way! :-)