Animals · A drawing idea for little artists
How to Draw a cartoon owl: Perching Feet and Chest Feathers
Explore cartoon owl through four selected drawing stages. Focus on perching feet and chest feathers and a textured crayon finish.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 4 pictures show selected moments from the drawing. For every step in between and a guide on your canvas, get the full lesson in LittlePaper.
What you will learn
Practice cartoon owl with attention to perching feet and chest feathers.
Shapes and proportions
Set the big eyes above a patterned chest and place both feet on the branch.
A common mistake
Chest patterns that touch the eyes hide the face boundary.
How to fix it
Finish the facial outline first and begin feather rows below it.
This cartoon owl study focuses on perching feet and chest feathers. Set the big eyes above a patterned chest and place both feet on the branch. The exercise is about keeping these visible shapes readable before adding small marks or color.
These are four selected stages, not a complete stroke-by-stroke sequence. Blue guide lines mark additions in the source images. Compare the pictures for the overall shape changes; use the complete LittlePaper lesson for the smaller steps between them.
A few things to start with
Paper, a pencil and crayons matching the example. Leave room around the drawing for proportion checks before making the outlines darker.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 4
Selected stages · The complete drawing sequence is in the app.
Shapes, character & color
A look at the drawing stages.
Try the shape tips below on paper. When you’re ready to draw along with each small step, continue in LittlePaper.
- 01Selected stage
Selected stage 3: early shapes
This picture shows source stage 3 of 9 for cartoon owl, not the next single stroke. Set the big eyes above a patterned chest and place both feet on the branch. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 3: early shapes · Preview image 1 of 4 - 02Selected stage
Selected stage 6: building the outline
This picture shows source stage 6 of 9 for cartoon owl, not the next single stroke. Finish the facial outline first and begin feather rows below it. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 6: building the outline · Preview image 2 of 4 - 03Selected stage
Complete outline: perching feet and chest feathers
Compare the finished cartoon owl outline with the earlier selected stages. Chest patterns that touch the eyes hide the face boundary. Finish the facial outline first and begin feather rows below it.
Complete outline: perching feet and chest feathers · Preview image 3 of 4 - 04Selected stage
Crayon color: brown, warm orange, cream white
Use the colored cartoon owl example to compare the palette after checking the outline. The visible palette includes brown, warm orange, cream white. Keep repeated parts consistent and let small light flecks preserve the crayon texture.
Crayon color: brown, warm orange, cream white · Preview image 4 of 4
A little practice goes a long way
Make room for your own ideas.
The example uses brown, warm orange, cream white. Keep matching limbs and repeated parts in a consistent palette. Use light overlapping crayon strokes so the inner outlines stay visible. Finish the facial outline first and begin feather rows below it.
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “How to Draw an Easy Cartoon Owl” drawing idea in LittlePaper for the complete sequence. Follow a guide, pause when you need, and add your own colors.
Download LittlePaper from the App Store, then open the drawing idea inside the app.
Every step, at your pace.
See the full drawing sequence. Pause, replay, and take another look whenever a shape needs practice.
A guide where you draw.
Trace on the canvas, then try your own lines with a finger or Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.
Make it yours. Keep the making.
Add crayon color, replay your creation, and give your picture a home in a digital 3D book.
