How to Draw a Cock-of-the-Rock

Step 1: Head and fan crest

Near the top left, draw a round head rising into a tall fan crest, with a point at the front.

Tip The head and crest are one smooth shape, with no line across the forehead.

Step 2: Beak tip

Under the crest, draw a pointed beak. Add a mouth line from the tip back into the face.

Step 3: One big eye

Behind the beak, draw a big round eye with a black dot and a white shine.

Step 4: Plump body

Start at the back of the head. Draw down, round a fat belly, and back up to the head.

Tip The body is a plump egg hanging under the head, narrower than the head.

Step 5: Fan tail

From the back's end, draw a fan tail down and back, then round to the tummy. Add 2 lines.

Tip The tail points down and back, not straight out.

Step 6: Folded wing

From behind the head, draw a teardrop wing along the side, ending above the tail. Add 2 lines.

Step 7: Front leg and toes

Start under the tummy. Draw a thin leg down to 3 short curling toes, and back up to the tummy.

Tip Keep the toes short and chubby, ready to curl over the branch.

Step 8: Back leg and toes

A thumb behind the first leg, draw a second leg and 3 toes the same way, from tummy to tummy.

Tip Leave a gap between the 2 feet.

Step 9: The branch

From the left edge, draw a branch top under the toes, up a little twig, round the end and back.

Tip The toes hang over the front of the branch.

Step 10: Orange bird, yellow beak

Colour the head, crest and body bright orange, around the wing. Leave the eye white. Colour the beak yellow.

Step 11: Wood branch

Colour the branch light wood brown, around the toes.

Step 12: Dark wing and tail

Colour the wing, tail, legs and toes dark slate grey. Go over your lines and your bird is done!