How to Draw a Lilac Breasted Roller

Step 1: The head

Near the top left draw a big round head, a little wider than tall. Add a tiny chin bump.

Step 2: Short pointed beak

From the head's front draw a short fat beak pointing left, back to the head. Add a mouth line.

Tip Keep the beak short and fat, not a long bill.

Step 3: One big eye

Behind the beak draw a big eye. Fill it with a black dot, leaving a white speck shine.

Step 4: Plump body

Start low on the head's back. Curve down, round a fat belly, and up the chest. Stop under the beak.

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

Step 5: Two tail streamers

From the rump draw a long tail slanting down and back. Split its end into 2 thin pointed streamers.

Step 6: Folded wing

Under the head draw a teardrop wing sweeping back to a point on the rump. Add 2 feather lines.

Step 7: Front leg and toes

Under the tummy's front draw a short leg with 3 chubby toes: 2 forward, 1 back.

Tip Draw leg and toes in one go, like a mitten, toes curling down.

Step 8: Back leg and toes

A thumb behind the first leg draw a second leg and toes the same way, with a gap between.

Step 9: Thorny twig

Under the feet draw a long twig from edge to edge. Add 3 little pointed thorns on top.

Tip The toes wrap over the twig's front so the bird really grips.

Step 10: Green head, cinnamon back

Colour the head soft green, leaving the eye white. Colour the back behind the wing cinnamon and the beak black.

Step 11: Blue wing, grey feet

Colour the wing and the two tail streamers blue, then colour the legs and toes grey.

Step 12: Lilac chest, brown twig

Colour the chest and tummy lilac, from the chin round to the tail under the wing. Colour the twig brown.