Hummingbird Drawing: Step-by-Step Tutorial & Easy Ideas

Hummingbird drawings are one of the most-loved sketching subjects, and for good reason — the basic version comes together from a circle for the head and an oval for the body in just a few minutes. Follow the nine steps below to get the foundations right, then browse the ideas list for your next hummingbird sketch.

Difficulty Easy
Time ~15 min
Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
Starts with a circle for the head and an oval for the body

Hummingbird drawing — hand-drawn hummingbird illustration with ink lines and soft colors

How to Draw a Hummingbird Step by Step

Step 1 of 9

Head and body guides

Draw a light circle for the head near the top of the page, then a taller oval below it for the body, overlapping the circle's bottom.

See the full sheet

Head and body guides
Draw a light circle for the head near the top of the page, then a taller oval below it for the body, overlapping the circle's bottom.
Head outline
Trace the head outline directly on the circle guide.
Beak and eye
Draw a long thin beak pointing straight down from the head, then a small round eye on the side.
Body outline
Trace the body outline on the oval guide, tapering slightly near the bottom.
Spread wings
Draw one long pointed wing reaching out from each side of the upper body, spread flat and level.
Wing feather lines
Add a few short feather lines fanning across each wing from base to tip.
Tail and throat patch
Add a small fan-shaped tail hanging below the body, then a teardrop patch of feathers on the throat.
Ink the lines
Go over every kept line with dark ink, then erase the light head circle and body oval guides.
Color the hummingbird
Fill the body and wings emerald green, the throat patch ruby red, the tail dark green, and the beak black.

Hummingbird Drawing Ideas to Try Next

Once the basic hummingbird clicks, run it through these variations — each one practices a different skill while staying on a subject you already know.

Hummingbird face close-up portrait
Crop to just the face and make the eyes the star. Big expressive eyes carry the whole piece.
A cartoon hummingbird with a tiny accessory
Round everything, shrink the body, add one hat/bow/scarf. Accessories add personality for nearly zero extra difficulty.
Continuous one-line hummingbird
Draw the whole hummingbird without lifting your pen. Great warm-up, and the wobbles are the style.
A hummingbird in its natural habitat
Add two or three environment elements behind your hummingbird — the scene sells the story without needing a full background.
A geometric low-poly hummingbird
Build the hummingbird from straight-edged triangles only — a modern design look that secretly teaches structure.
A sleeping hummingbird curled up
Sleeping poses tuck away the legs and face details — draw one restful curve and let the pose forgive the anatomy.
A baby hummingbird next to its parent
Same drawing twice at two sizes with bigger eyes on the little one — instant "aww" with skills you already have.
A hummingbird peeking around a corner
Half the animal hides behind an edge — you draw the easy half and the composition feels playful.

Tips for Better Hummingbird Drawings

Draw the gesture line first — one curve through the spine from nose to tail. Animals drawn from the spine out always feel alive; animals drawn from the outline in always feel stuffed.
Eyes make or break animal drawings: place them carefully, keep them symmetrical, and always leave a white highlight dot. A perfect body with dead eyes still fails; a wobbly body with living eyes still charms.

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Hummingbird Drawing FAQ

What is the easiest way to draw a hummingbird?

Start with a circle for the head and an oval for the body, keeping your lines light. Refine the outline, add the defining details, then erase the construction shapes. The nine-step method above breaks this down — most people get a recognizable hummingbird on their very first try with it.

How long does a hummingbird drawing take?

A simple hummingbird drawing takes about 15 minutes following this tutorial. A quick doodle version can be done in two or three minutes, while a detailed, fully-shaded study might take an hour. Speed comes with repetition — the second attempt is always faster than the first.

What do I need to draw a hummingbird?

Just a pencil, an eraser, and any paper. An HB pencil for construction lines and a 2B for final outlines is a nice upgrade, and colored pencils or markers finish it off — but nothing on this page requires special supplies.

Is a hummingbird easy to draw for beginners?

Yes — the hummingbird is one of the friendlier subjects for beginners, and this method was written for first-timers. Kids can follow the same steps; just expect wobblier lines and more charm.