Watch it draw itself · tap to replay

How to Draw an Archaeopteryx

12 steps · Medium · about 9 min

Draw an archaeopteryx in 12 easy steps, about 9 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.

Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: pointy head.

Step 1: Pointy head
Near the top left, draw an egg lying on its side, with a long pointy snout at the front.
Tip Make the head big: the eye and smile must fit on it.
Step 2: Big eye
High on the head, draw one big oval eye with a black dot. Dot a nostril on the snout.
Tip Leave a little white shine in the eye.
Step 3: Smile and teeth
Start at the snout tip. Draw a long smile back, stopping under the eye. Hang 4 tiny teeth from it.
Tip This bird had teeth, like a dinosaur.
Step 4: Neck and back
Start behind the head. Draw down the neck, along the back and round the bottom. Stop underneath.
Tip One smooth line, like the top of a bean.
Step 5: Chest and tummy
Start under the head. Draw a plump chest and tummy. Stop where the back line ended.
Step 6: Feathery tail
From the bottom, draw a long tail with 3 feather dips on each edge. Add a line down its middle.
Tip The tail is as long as the body.
Step 7: Folded wing
On the body, draw a long wing: round at the shoulder, with 3 feather tips at the back.
Tip Keep the wing inside the body outline.
Step 8: Feathers and claws
Draw 2 feather lines along the wing from the dips. At the front of the wing, add 3 claws.
Tip Wing claws are what make it an archaeopteryx.
Step 9: Leg and foot
Under the wing, draw a round thigh, a bent knee, a thin shin and a foot with 3 toes.
Tip Rub out the tummy line inside the thigh.
Step 10: Far leg and ground
Start behind the first leg. Draw the other leg down to 3 toes. Stop at the tummy. Add the ground.
Step 11: Teal body
Colour the head, body and legs teal, around the wing. Leave the eye, teeth and claws white.
Step 12: Blue feathers
Colour the wing and the feathery tail blue. Your archaeopteryx is done!