Watch it draw itself · tap to replay
How to Draw a Pelican
Draw a pelican 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: the head.
Step 1: The head
Near the top left, draw a big round head with 3 soft low puffs on top toward the back.
Tip The tuft is 3 gentle hills, not spikes. Leave room below for the body.
Step 2: Huge bill and pouch
From the head, draw a long bill out to the left, with a deep saggy pouch hanging under it.
Tip The bill is longer than the head; the pouch is round like a bag.
Step 3: One big eye
Behind the bill, draw a big round eye with a big black dot and a shine. Keep the eye white.
Step 4: Plump body
Start on the back of the head. Draw a plump egg body hanging down. End under the bill.
Step 5: Fan tail
Under the back of the body, draw a fan tail pointing down and back. Add 2 feather lines.
Step 6: Folded wing
From behind the head, draw a teardrop wing along the side, pointing at the tail. Add 2 short feather lines.
Step 7: Front leg and foot
Under the front of the tummy, draw a short leg, thinner at the ankle, and a flat paddle foot pointing forward.
Tip Draw leg and foot in one go, with 2 round toe bumps on top.
Step 8: Back leg and foot
A thumb behind the first leg, draw a second leg and paddle foot the same way, at the same height.
Step 9: A wooden post
Under the feet, draw a flat post top. From it, draw 2 lines down to a ground line.
Tip The toes sit on the post top; keep it level.
Step 10: Yellow bill, orange pouch
Leave the head and body white. Colour the top of the bill yellow, and the pouch, legs and feet orange.
Step 11: Grey wing and tail
Colour the wing and the fan tail grey.
Step 12: Wooden post
Colour the post a light wood brown.
Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a pelican, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
