How to Draw a Flamingo (Easy Step by Step)
This flamingo is a fun one to draw because it is made of simple shapes: a big oval body, a small circle head, and a bendy S-shaped neck. It stands on one leg with the other leg tucked up, just like real flamingos do. Once you have the oval and the circle, the rest is easy lines.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a flamingo step by step
How to Draw a Flamingo · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The round body
Draw a big, wide oval in the middle of your paper, like an egg lying on its side. Leave room above it for the neck and head.
Step 3: The head and eye
Above the left side of the body, draw a small circle for the head. Add a round dot inside it for the eye.
Step 4: The curvy neck
Draw two wavy lines from the bottom of the head down to the top of the body, like a letter S. Keep the lines the same distance apart so the neck is a skinny tube.
Step 5: The beak
On the left side of the head, draw a curved shape like a banana or a leaf that points out and down. Start and end the line where it touches the head.
Step 6: The wing
Inside the body, draw a pointed oval shape like a leaf or a lemon, with the tip on the right touching the edge of the body near the tail.
Step 7: The tail feathers
On the right side of the body, pick one spot where the feathers start. From there draw a few long, pointy leaf shapes that fan out like fingers.
Step 8: The legs and foot
From the bottom of the body, draw one long, thin line down for the standing leg, and add a little curved line at the bottom for the foot. Then draw a short curly line next to it for the other leg, bent up like a hook.
Step 9: Wing feather lines
Inside the wing, draw two short, slightly curved lines, one above the other. They show the feathers.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your flamingo? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a parrot or how to draw a tiger next.
Tips for drawing a flamingo
- Draw the neck as two lines that curve the same way. If they stay the same distance apart, the neck will look like a smooth tube and not a wobbly noodle.
- Start all the tail feathers from one spot. Then they will fan out neatly instead of looking like they are floating apart.
- Make the standing leg long and thin, longer than you think. A tall leg is what makes it look like a flamingo.
Free flamingo coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this flamingo coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your flamingo drawing
Color the body, neck, and tail feathers in bright pink, and the beak in orange or yellow with a black tip. For a creative twist, give your flamingo sunglasses, or draw it standing in blue water with lily pads.
Flamingo fun fact for kids
Flamingos are born with gray or white feathers. They turn pink over time because of natural color in the tiny shrimp and algae they eat.
Questions about drawing a flamingo
What shapes do I need to draw a flamingo?
You need a big oval for the body, a small circle for the head, and leaf shapes for the beak, wing and tail feathers. The neck is an S-curve and the legs are thin lines.
How do I make my flamingo look cuter?
Make the head a little larger than normal and the eye a nice round dot. A bent, tucked-up leg also adds a lot of charm.
Why do flamingos stand on one leg?
Flamingos stand on one leg to rest, and it may help them keep warm in cool water. They switch legs now and then.
