Holidays · A drawing idea for little artists
How to draw a Thanksgiving turkey: dot eyes and tall fan feathers
Draw a small round head with two dot eyes. Leave a tall clear area above and beside it for the fan of feathers that will be added later.
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 Thanksgiving turkey using dot eyes and tall fan feathers. Aim the side feathers outward and the middle feathers upward. Stop their inner edges at the head or body contour, and compare the two feet along one baseline.
Shapes and proportions
Draw a small round head with two dot eyes. Leave a tall clear area above and beside it for the fan of feathers that will be added later. Add the open beak, hanging wattle and scalloped neck ruff. Place the rounded body below the ruff, attach the two wings and little feet, then build the tail upward in long rounded feathers behind the head.
A common mistake
When every tail feather points vertically, the fan looks like a fence; feathers drawn across the face also flatten the overlap.
How to fix it
Aim the side feathers outward and the middle feathers upward. Stop their inner edges at the head or body contour, and compare the two feet along one baseline.
Draw a small round head with two dot eyes.
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 a small round head with two dot eyes. Leave a tall clear area above and beside it for the fan of feathers that will be added later.
Plan the starting shapes · Preview image 1 of 3 - 02Selected stage
Complete the distinct outline
Add the open beak, hanging wattle and scalloped neck ruff. Place the rounded body below the ruff, attach the two wings and little feet, then build the tail upward in long rounded feathers behind the head. Aim the side feathers outward and the middle feathers upward. Stop their inner edges at the head or body contour, and compare the two feet along one baseline.
Complete the distinct outline · Preview image 2 of 3 - 03Selected stage
Add balanced crayon colors
Use warm brown for the head and body, orange for the neck ruff and feet, red for the wattle, and matching yellow, orange and red feather pairs across the tail. Keep the small spaces beside the neck and between the legs clear.
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 “Round-Head 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.
