Animals · A drawing idea for little artists

How to Draw a front-facing turkey: Two Rows of Fan Feathers

Explore front-facing turkey through four selected drawing stages. Focus on two rows of fan feathers and a textured crayon finish.

4 selected stagesSuggested ages 6–10Full lesson in LittlePaper

For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases

Colored front-facing turkey with brown, warm orange, warm red crayon texture
A little inspiration. Your colors next.Drawing preview from LittlePaper
A preview to try. A full lesson to draw along.

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 front-facing turkey with attention to two rows of fan feathers.

Shapes and proportions

Center the body in front of two spreading rows of rounded tail feathers.

A common mistake

A body placed to one side makes the fan appear unbalanced.

How to fix it

Mark the center of the fan and align the head and body with it.

This front-facing turkey study focuses on two rows of fan feathers. Center the body in front of two spreading rows of rounded tail feathers. 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
Front-facing turkey, selected drawing stage 3 of 9, with source guide lines
Selected stage 3: early shapes

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.

  1. 01
    Selected stage

    Selected stage 3: early shapes

    This picture shows source stage 3 of 9 for front-facing turkey, not the next single stroke. Center the body in front of two spreading rows of rounded tail feathers. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.

    Front-facing turkey, selected drawing stage 3 of 9, with source guide lines
    Selected stage 3: early shapes · Preview image 1 of 4
  2. 02
    Selected stage

    Selected stage 6: building the outline

    This picture shows source stage 6 of 9 for front-facing turkey, not the next single stroke. Mark the center of the fan and align the head and body with it. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.

    Front-facing turkey, selected drawing stage 6 of 9, with source guide lines
    Selected stage 6: building the outline · Preview image 2 of 4
  3. 03
    Selected stage

    Complete outline: two rows of fan feathers

    Compare the finished front-facing turkey outline with the earlier selected stages. A body placed to one side makes the fan appear unbalanced. Mark the center of the fan and align the head and body with it.

    Complete front-facing turkey outline showing two rows of fan feathers
    Complete outline: two rows of fan feathers · Preview image 3 of 4
  4. 04
    Selected stage

    Crayon color: brown, warm orange, warm red

    Use the colored front-facing turkey example to compare the palette after checking the outline. The visible palette includes brown, warm orange, warm red. Keep repeated parts consistent and let small light flecks preserve the crayon texture.

    Colored front-facing turkey with brown, warm orange, warm red crayon texture
    Crayon color: brown, warm orange, warm red · Preview image 4 of 4

A little practice goes a long way

Make room for your own ideas.

The example uses brown, warm orange, warm red. Keep matching limbs and repeated parts in a consistent palette. Use light overlapping crayon strokes so the inner outlines stay visible. Mark the center of the fan and align the head and body with it.

The next little step is yours

Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.

Open the “How to Draw a Turkey” 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.

Another little idea

What will you make next?

A little beginning. A big “I did it.”

What will you
make today?

A drawing, a splash of color, a story.
Let the next little idea begin.

Find LittlePaper on the App Store For iPad & iPhone. Apple Pencil supported on compatible iPads.