How to Draw a Tern

Step 1: The head

Near the top left of your paper draw a big round head, a little wider than tall.

Tip Leave room on the right and below for the body and the post.

Step 2: Slim pointed beak

From the head's front draw a thin pointy beak. Add a mouth line from its tip back to the head.

Step 3: Big eye

Draw a big round eye in the middle of the head, with a black pupil and a white shine.

Tip Leave a strip of cheek between the beak and the eye.

Step 4: Cap line

Start just above the beak. Draw a line over the eye and stop at the back of the head.

Tip Everything above this line will be the black cap.

Step 5: Plump body

Start at the back of the head. Draw down, round a fat tummy, and up to stop under the beak.

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

Step 6: Forked tail

Start on the rump. Draw 2 long points back like a fork, then back to the tummy.

Tip The tail is split into 2 prongs, one above the other.

Step 7: Folded wing

Start under the back of the head. Draw a round shoulder and sweep down to stop by the tail.

Step 8: Front leg and foot

Start on the tummy. Draw a thin leg down to a flat foot pointing forward, then back up.

Step 9: Back leg and foot

A thumb behind it, start on the tummy again. Draw a second leg and paddle foot the same way.

Tip Its toes tuck behind the front foot.

Step 10: A wooden post

Under the feet draw a flat band. From it draw 2 short lines down to a long ground line.

Step 11: Brown post, grey wing

Leave the head, body and eyes white. Colour the post light brown, then the wing and forked tail grey.

Step 12: Red beak and feet

Colour the slim beak and both webbed feet red.

Step 13: Black cap

Colour the cap black, from the beak over the top of the head down to the cap line.