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how to draw a raven

How to draw a raven - a free raven drawing guide

Draw a detailed raven step by step using pencil and eraser. Learn to shape, add feather texture, shading, and simple proportions.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of raven drawing examples

Step-by-step guide to draw a raven

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Raven - Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Kids & Beginners #howtodraw #drawingtutorial

What you need

Pencil, eraser, drawing paper, sharpener, tissue for soft shading

Step 1

Place your paper on a clean flat surface so it won’t move while you draw.

Step 2

Decide which side the light will come from by pointing to that side of the paper.

Step 3

Sharpen your pencil until the tip is slightly pointed for both light lines and darker marks.

Step 4

Lightly draw a large oval in the middle of the paper for the raven’s body.

Step 5

Lightly draw a smaller circle overlapping one end of the oval for the raven’s head.

Step 6

Draw a short diagonal guideline from the head where the beak will point.

Step 7

Sketch the beak along the guideline using two curved lines that meet at a point.

Step 8

Add a long pointed tail shape at the back of the oval to show the raven’s tail.

Step 9

Draw a smooth curved line on the body to mark the wing’s outer edge.

Step 10

Sketch two thin lines under the body to make the raven’s legs.

Step 11

Add three forward toes and one back toe on each foot with short curved lines.

Step 12

Erase extra overlapping construction lines gently so the raven shape looks clean.

Step 13

Add feather texture with short overlapping curved strokes on the body and longer strokes on the wing and tail.

Step 14

Shade the raven with soft pencil strokes making the side away from the light darker to show form.

Step 15

Sign your drawing and share your finished raven on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use if I don't have a sharpened pencil or eraser?

Use a mechanical pencil or a freshly sharpened colored pencil for both light lines and darker marks, and a kneaded or soft white eraser to gently remove the extra overlapping construction lines.

My raven looks messy and the shapes don't match—how can I fix it?

Redraw the large oval and the smaller overlapping head circle with very light strokes, add the short diagonal guideline to place the beak correctly, then gently erase construction lines so the wing, tail, and legs read clearly.

How can I adapt this drawing activity for different ages?

For younger children simplify to tracing or stickers for the oval, head, tail, and toes, for elementary kids follow all steps including feather strokes, and for older kids add detailed feather texture and careful shading on the side away from the light to show form.

How can we extend or personalize the raven drawing once it's finished?

Add a drawn branch or night sky background, experiment with colored pencils or ink for feather details, change which side you chose for the light to alter shading, then sign your drawing and share it on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a raven

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

HOW TO DRAW RAVEN STEP BY STEP | DARWING A RAVEN EASY

4 Videos

Facts about pencil sketching for kids

🐦 Ravens are one of the largest perching birds and can mimic sounds, even some human words!

✏️ Using a softer pencil like 2B–4B helps you make rich dark tones for shading feathers.

🪶 Feathers are made of tiny barbs that overlap — draw short, layered strokes to copy that texture.

🖤 Raven feathers look black but often reflect blue or purple highlights — add small light spots for shine.

🎨 Cross-hatching and gentle blending are two easy ways to create shadow and make your raven look 3D.

How do I draw a detailed raven step by step with pencil and eraser?

Start by sketching simple shapes: an oval for the body and a smaller circle for the head. Add guidelines for the beak, neck, and tail. Block in the beak and wing shapes, then refine the head and eye placement. Draw feather groups with short, overlapping strokes to suggest texture. Use softer pencils for darker areas and a kneaded eraser to lift highlights. Finish with light shading for form and final detail lines.

What materials do I need to draw a detailed raven?

You’ll need plain drawing paper, a range of pencils (HB for outlines, 2B–6B for shading), a kneaded eraser and a regular eraser, and a pencil sharpener. Optional but helpful: a blending stump or tissue for smooth shading, a ruler for proportions, and a reference photo of a raven. Good lighting and a comfortable drawing surface make the process easier for kids and adults alike.

What ages is drawing a detailed raven suitable for?

This activity is adaptable: simple outline and feather shapes work for children aged 5–7 with adult help. Ages 8–12 can follow step-by-step proportions and basic shading. Teenagers and adults will enjoy adding detailed feather texture and advanced shading techniques. Adjust complexity, time, and supervision to match each child’s fine motor skills and attention span for the best experience.

What are the benefits and fun variations of drawing a raven?

Drawing a raven strengthens observation, fine motor skills, and patience while teaching proportion and light-and-shadow basics. It’s calming and boosts confidence as details develop. Variations: try ink outlines with pencil shading, color the raven with watercolor or colored pencil, draw a flock in different poses, or create a nighttime scene. Always encourage experimentation and celebrate progress over perfection.

Ready to create?

All Activities

how to draw a raven

How to draw a raven - a free raven drawing guide

Draw a detailed raven step by step using pencil and eraser. Learn to shape, add feather texture, shading, and simple proportions.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of raven drawing examples

Step-by-step guide to draw a raven

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Raven - Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Kids & Beginners #howtodraw #drawingtutorial

What you need

Pencil, eraser, drawing paper, sharpener, tissue for soft shading

Step 1

Place your paper on a clean flat surface so it won’t move while you draw.

Step 2

Decide which side the light will come from by pointing to that side of the paper.

Step 3

Sharpen your pencil until the tip is slightly pointed for both light lines and darker marks.

Step 4

Lightly draw a large oval in the middle of the paper for the raven’s body.

Step 5

Lightly draw a smaller circle overlapping one end of the oval for the raven’s head.

Step 6

Draw a short diagonal guideline from the head where the beak will point.

Step 7

Sketch the beak along the guideline using two curved lines that meet at a point.

Step 8

Add a long pointed tail shape at the back of the oval to show the raven’s tail.

Step 9

Draw a smooth curved line on the body to mark the wing’s outer edge.

Step 10

Sketch two thin lines under the body to make the raven’s legs.

Step 11

Add three forward toes and one back toe on each foot with short curved lines.

Step 12

Erase extra overlapping construction lines gently so the raven shape looks clean.

Step 13

Add feather texture with short overlapping curved strokes on the body and longer strokes on the wing and tail.

Step 14

Shade the raven with soft pencil strokes making the side away from the light darker to show form.

Step 15

Sign your drawing and share your finished raven on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use if I don't have a sharpened pencil or eraser?

Use a mechanical pencil or a freshly sharpened colored pencil for both light lines and darker marks, and a kneaded or soft white eraser to gently remove the extra overlapping construction lines.

My raven looks messy and the shapes don't match—how can I fix it?

How can I adapt this drawing activity for different ages?

How can we extend or personalize the raven drawing once it's finished?

Watch videos on how to draw a raven

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

HOW TO DRAW RAVEN STEP BY STEP | DARWING A RAVEN EASY

4 Videos

Facts about pencil sketching for kids

🐦 Ravens are one of the largest perching birds and can mimic sounds, even some human words!

✏️ Using a softer pencil like 2B–4B helps you make rich dark tones for shading feathers.

🪶 Feathers are made of tiny barbs that overlap — draw short, layered strokes to copy that texture.

🖤 Raven feathers look black but often reflect blue or purple highlights — add small light spots for shine.

🎨 Cross-hatching and gentle blending are two easy ways to create shadow and make your raven look 3D.