Learn step by step how to draw a bright red cardinal using simple shapes, shading, and color techniques. Practice observation and drawing skills.


Photos of cardinal drawings






Step-by-step guide to draw a cardinal
How To Draw A Red-Crested Cardinal
Step 1
Draw a large tilted oval in the middle of the paper for the cardinal's body.
Step 2
Draw a smaller circle that overlaps the top front of the oval for the head.
Step 3
Add a pointy crest on top of the head by drawing three small connected triangles.
Step 4
Draw a short rounded triangle at the front of the head for the beak.
Step 5
Draw a small circle inside the head area for the eye.
Step 6
Draw the wing as a curved teardrop shape that sits on the side of the body.
Step 7
Add a long pointed tail at the rear of the body and draw two or three feather lines inside it.
Step 8
Draw two thin legs coming down from the body and add three toes on each foot.
Step 9
Smooth and tidy your pencil lines by redrawing any bumpy lines and lightly erasing extra guide marks.
Step 10
Carefully trace the final outlines of the bird with your black marker and let the ink dry.
Step 11
Erase the remaining pencil lines so only the marker drawing remains.
Step 12
Color the bird bright red and use darker red or gray to add shading near the wing and belly; color the beak orange and the legs yellow and leave a tiny white dot in the eye for a highlight.
Step 13
Share a photo of your finished cardinal on DIY.org so everyone can see your artwork.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!


Help!?
What can we use instead of a black marker or yellow paint if we don't have them?
If you don’t have a black marker for step 10 or yellow paint for the legs, trace the final outlines with a sharp dark pencil or black crayon and color the beak and legs with orange or brown crayons or colored pencils during the coloring step.
My head and crest look messy or the marker smeared—what should I do?
If the smaller circle for the head or the three triangle crest looks messy, lightly erase and reposition the circle so it overlaps the top front of the oval as instructed, smooth and tidy your pencil lines in step 9, then let the ink dry fully after step 10 before erasing remaining pencil marks in step 11 to avoid smudges.
How can I adapt this drawing for younger or older children?
For younger children, have an adult pre-draw the tilted oval, smaller circle, crest and tail (steps 1–7) so they can trace and color with thick washable markers, while older kids can add the two or three feather lines inside the tail and detailed darker red or gray shading near the wing and belly during the coloring step.
How can we extend or personalize the cardinal drawing once it's finished?
To personalize and extend the activity, draw a branch under the feet, add a snowy or leafy background, vary sizes to make a cardinal family, and deepen shading near the wing and belly with darker red or gray before photographing the finished piece for DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to draw a cardinal
HOW TO DRAW A CARDINAL - KIDS VERSION | STEP BY STEP BASICS EASY DRAWING | PENCIL SKETCH
Facts about drawing and sketching for kids
🐦 Northern cardinals are mostly non-migratory and often stay in the same yard year-round, so you can practice drawing them in every season.
🔴 A male cardinal's bright red color comes from pigments in its diet (carotenoids), so diet affects how vivid the red appears.
🎨 Artists use complementary colors—green opposite red—to make a red cardinal stand out against leaves or snowy backgrounds.
👀 Cardinals have a distinctive crest they raise or lower to show mood—an easy, expressive detail to add to your drawing.
✏️ Break the bird into simple shapes (oval body, circle head, triangle beak, long wedge tail) to get proportions right before shading.