How to draw a penguin - a free penguin drawing guide

What can we use instead of a black marker or cotton swab if we don't have them?

If you don't have a black marker, trace the final penguin lines with a dark gray or black colored pencil, fine-tip pen, or crayon, and use a finger, folded tissue, or a blending stump instead of a cotton swab for the soft pencil shading step.

My penguin's head looks too big or off-center—what step should I redo to fix it?

If the head is off or too large, keep the paper flat, lightly erase and redraw the vertical center line, then re-sketch the large oval for the body and the smaller circle so the circle overlaps the top of the oval as described before tracing with marker.

How can I change this drawing to suit different ages or skill levels?

For preschoolers, simplify by tracing or coloring pre-drawn ovals, circles, and teardrops for the body, head, flippers, belly patch, beak, and feet, while older kids can add detailed pencil shading under the flippers, textured feathers, and scan the drawing to add digital color before sharing on DIY.org.

What are some ways to make the penguin drawing more creative or display-worthy?

Enhance and personalize your penguin by adding a snowy background, a family of penguins, or a patterned scarf, include the tiny white highlights in the eyes as the instructions suggest, and then take a photo or scan the finished piece to share on DIY.org.