Here's a record of this week's bird still life class exercise, where we adjusted the placement and intensity of different objects. It reminded me of the simple joy of feeding pigeons bread after school when I was a kid.
Curious about the full structure, I found that the pigeon’s skeletal frame is quite complex, so I’ll save a more detailed study for another time. For now, I’ve compiled some key points about pigeon anatomy and how to draw them. If you're interested, follow along, and use the second image for better understanding!
●Pigeon Anatomy:
1. Head:
The pigeon’s head is small and round. The skull is relatively smooth, and you can observe the eye sockets and cranial structure in the small diagram below.
2. Body Proportions:
The body has a streamlined shape, with a wide chest and a narrower abdomen, suited for flight.
3. Wing Structure:
The wings extend from the shoulders to the phalanges (wing fingers), with major bones including the humerus, ulna, and radius. These bones support the force of flight. For details, check the small diagram in the bottom right.
4. Legs and Feet:
Pigeons have short legs, and their feet usually feature four toes.
5. Tail:
The tail is short and fan-shaped, helping control flight direction.
●How to Draw a Pigeon:
Step 1:
Pay attention to the overall length and width proportions. The pigeon’s body can be simplified into basic geometric shapes—circles, triangles, and rectangles—which will help you accurately capture the body’s proportions and posture.
Step 2:
Gradually reinforce the lines, focusing on the front-to-back relationships of the forms. For example, in the image, the neck overlaps and partially hides the rear of the body.
Step 3:
Add shading by marking shadow areas with crosshatching. Pay attention to how the shape of the shadows changes with the body’s curves and muscle structure.
I hope this structural guide helps you better understand and draw pigeons. If there’s a topic or technique you'd like to explore, feel free to leave a comment or message me. Happy drawing!
Other Related Animal Sketching Articles:
How to Draw a Pet Dog: Mastering Perspective and Proportions
How to Draw a Koi Fish with a Pencil: Fish Sketching Tutorial
How to Draw Primates: Proportions, Anatomy, Dynamic Poses
Sketching Lions: Simplifying Head and Torso with Basic Shapes
