How to Draw a Pterodactyl (Easy Step by Step)
This little pterodactyl is easy to draw because it is built from simple shapes: a round head, an egg-shaped body, two triangle wings and two oval feet. The long beak and swept-back crest make it look like a prehistoric flyer, and the smile makes it friendly.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a pterodactyl step by step
How to Draw a Pterodactyl · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Head and body start
Start at the top left of the head and draw a curve that bends down and around to the middle, like the left side of a circle. Then draw an upside-down U for the top and sides of the body, with the two ends curving in at the bottom.
Step 2: Head and long beak
From the middle where the head meets the body, curve up and to the right to finish the head. Then draw a long pointed beak that stretches out to the right and ends in a sharp tip.
Step 3: Mouth line
Draw a long, almost straight line inside the beak, starting near the head and ending at the beak's tip, to show where the mouth opens.
Step 4: The head crest
Start at the top of the head, near where the beak begins, and draw a big pointed crest that sweeps back to the left. Bring the line back down to touch the left side of the head.
Step 5: The wings
On each side of the body, draw a big pointed wing shaped like a tall triangle that reaches up and out. Start each wing at the body, go up and out to the tip, then come back along the bottom to the body.
Step 6: Wing folds
Under each wing, draw a small bumpy shape with a short slanted line from the wing toward the body. This makes the wing look folded.
Step 7: Two little feet
At the bottom of the body, draw two small ovals side by side. Let them touch in the middle.
Step 8: Eye, smile and nostril
Draw a round dot for the eye and a small curved smile below it. Then add a tiny dot on the beak for a nostril.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your pterodactyl? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a baby dinosaur hatching from an egg or how to draw an Ankylosaurus next.
Tips for drawing a pterodactyl
- Draw the head and body curves lightly first, so you can fix them before you press hard.
- The crest is the trickiest part. Start at the top of the head and sweep the line back in one smooth curve.
- Make both wings about the same size by checking that their tips reach the same height.
Free pterodactyl coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this pterodactyl 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 pterodactyl drawing
Try green or orange for the body and a lighter shade for the wings. For a creative twist, color the wings like a sunset with stripes of yellow, pink and purple.
Pterodactyl fun fact for kids
Pterodactyls were not dinosaurs. They were flying reptiles called pterosaurs, and they lived at the same time as the dinosaurs.
Questions about drawing a pterodactyl
What shapes do I need to draw a pterodactyl?
You need a circle for the head, an egg shape for the body, two triangles for the wings and two small ovals for the feet. The beak and crest are pointed, curved shapes.
How do I make my pterodactyl look cuter?
Make the head big and the eye round, then add a small smile. Short little feet and a tiny nostril dot help too.
Is a pterodactyl a dinosaur?
No, it was a flying reptile that lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. People often draw it with dinosaurs because they lived in the same era.
