Holidays · A drawing idea for little artists
How to draw a round turkey: body circle and petal-shaped tail
Draw one large circle for the belly. Add a smaller rounded head above it, letting the outlines connect into a friendly front-facing silhouette.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 3 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
Learn to construct round turkey using a body circle and petal-shaped tail. Check the fan width against the belly before adding feather divisions. Let the outer feathers remain visible beyond both wings, and compare the wing tips and feet at matching heights.
Shapes and proportions
Draw one large circle for the belly. Add a smaller rounded head above it, letting the outlines connect into a friendly front-facing silhouette. Place two dot eyes, a triangle beak and a teardrop wattle. Add scalloped wings on both sides of the belly. Build broad rounded tail feathers behind the body, then finish with two short legs and spread toes.
A common mistake
A tail fan that is too narrow disappears behind the belly, while uneven wings make a front-facing turkey look tilted.
How to fix it
Check the fan width against the belly before adding feather divisions. Let the outer feathers remain visible beyond both wings, and compare the wing tips and feet at matching heights.
Draw one large circle for the belly.
These three pictures show selected stages, not every intermediate step. The full drawing sequence is available in the named LittlePaper drawing idea.
A few things to start with
Paper, a pencil, eraser, black drawing pen and crayons. Use light guide lines before the final outline.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 3
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
Plan the starting shapes
Draw one large circle for the belly. Add a smaller rounded head above it, letting the outlines connect into a friendly front-facing silhouette.
Plan the starting shapes · Preview image 1 of 3 - 02Selected stage
Complete the distinct outline
Place two dot eyes, a triangle beak and a teardrop wattle. Add scalloped wings on both sides of the belly. Build broad rounded tail feathers behind the body, then finish with two short legs and spread toes. Check the fan width against the belly before adding feather divisions. Let the outer feathers remain visible beyond both wings, and compare the wing tips and feet at matching heights.
Complete the distinct outline · Preview image 2 of 3 - 03Selected stage
Add balanced crayon colors
Keep the head and belly warm brown, both wings deeper brown, the beak golden yellow and the wattle red. Pair the orange, yellow and red tail feathers across the center to make the fan feel balanced.
Add balanced crayon colors · Preview image 3 of 3
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “Fan-Tail Thanksgiving 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.
