How to draw a falcon - a free falcon drawing guide
Draw a realistic falcon step by step using basic shapes, then add feathers, beak, talons, and shading. Practice proportion and observation skills.
Photos of realistic falcon drawings
Step-by-step guide to draw a realistic falcon
How to Draw a Falcon in a Few Easy Steps: Drawing Tutorial for Beginner Artists
Step 1
Place your reference photo of a falcon where you can see it clearly.
Step 2
Lightly draw a large oval for the falcon’s body.
Step 3
Lightly draw a smaller circle above and a little forward of the body for the head.
Step 4
Draw a short curved line to connect the head and body to make the neck.
Step 5
Add a long narrow tapered shape at the back of the body for the tail.
Step 6
Sketch two folded wing shapes on the body using long curved lines to show wing position.
Step 7
Draw the beak as a small hooked shape at the front of the head.
Step 8
Add the eye as a small dark circle in the head where it appears in your reference.
Step 9
Draw two thin legs below the body and add small hooked claws at the ends for talons.
Step 10
Lightly sketch feather groups on the wings and tail using short parallel strokes to show feather direction.
Step 11
Erase any extra construction lines and darken the final outlines you want to keep.
Step 12
Add texture and shading with light pencil strokes on the belly wings and tail and use your coloring materials to add tones and darker marks.
Step 13
Share a photo of your finished falcon drawing on DIY.org so everyone can see your awesome work.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have a reference photo or specific coloring materials?
Use a clear image on a phone or tablet, a page from a bird book, or a toy falcon as your reference, and substitute crayons, markers, or watercolors for the 'coloring materials' in the final coloring step.
My falcon's proportions or folded wings look wrong—how can I fix that?
Keep your initial large oval for the body and smaller circle for the head light, measure proportions with your pencil at arm's length to check the neck and wing placement, erase extra construction lines, and then darken the final outlines as the instructions say.
How can I adapt this drawing activity for different ages or skill levels?
For younger kids have them trace the large oval, head and tail and color, for middle graders follow all steps with light construction lines and simple feather strokes, and for older kids add detailed feather groups and shading on the belly, wings and tail from the reference photo.
What are some ways to enhance or personalize my finished falcon drawing?
Add a background habitat, try drawing the falcon in a flying pose by altering the folded wing shapes, label parts like beak and talons, experiment with textures during the shading step, and then photograph and share it on DIY.org as instructed.
Watch videos on how to draw a realistic falcon
How to DRAW A FALCON Easy Step by Step | | Bird Drawing Process
4 Videos
How to DRAW A FALCON Easy Step by Step | | Bird Drawing Process
How to Draw a Falcon Step by Step for Kids
How To Draw A Falcon
HOW TO DRAW A PEREGRINE FALCON - KIDS VERSION | STEP BY STEP BASICS EASY DRAWING | PENCIL SKETCH
Facts about bird anatomy for drawing
⚡ The peregrine falcon can dive (stoop) at over 200 mph (320 km/h), making it the fastest animal on Earth!
✏️ For realistic drawing, artists often start with simple shapes (circles, ovals, triangles) to map proportions before adding details.
🦅 Falcons are raptors — special birds of prey with strong talons and hooked beaks for hunting.
👀 Falcons have super-sharp eyesight — up to 8 times better than a human's — perfect for spotting tiny prey from far away.
🪶 Feathers come in layers: contour feathers shape the bird, flight feathers power the wings, and tiny down feathers keep it warm — watch direction and overlap when shading.
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