How to Draw a Turkey (Easy Step by Step)
A turkey is a fun drawing because it is built from circles and curved lines. You will use a big circle for the body, a smaller circle for the head, and a fan of feather shapes behind it. Once the shapes are in place, a few small details make it look friendly.
- Medium
- 15 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 turkey step by step
How to Draw a Turkey · 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: Round body sides
Draw the left and right sides of a big round body, like two curved lines that bend toward each other. Leave a gap at the top and a gap at the bottom.
Step 3: Bottom of the head
Near the top of the body, draw a small U-shaped curve for the bottom and sides of the head. Leave the top of the head open for now.
Step 4: Face and top feather
Close the top of the head with a small curve, then add two dot eyes and a short upright line for the beak. Above the head, draw a big arch, join it to the head with two slanted lines, and add a curved line out to each side.
Step 5: Side tail feathers
On each side, draw a fan-shaped feather. Start with a slanted line from the head going up and out, add a curved outer edge, then finish with a short slanted line down to the body.
Step 6: Feather curves and bottom
Draw a curved line inside each side feather to make a second feather shape. Then add a short curved line across the bottom gap to close the round body.
Step 7: Leaf-shaped wings
Draw a leaf shape on each side of the belly, pointed at the top and the bottom. These are the turkey's little wings.
Step 8: Feet and tummy smile
Draw two small ovals at the bottom of the body for the feet. Then add a short wavy smile line in the middle of the tummy.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your turkey? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a slice of pumpkin pie or how to draw a pilgrim hat next.
Tips for drawing a turkey
- Draw the body first and keep it big. The head and tail both depend on it, so a small body makes everything feel crowded.
- The feather fan is the trickiest part. Start with the arch above the head, then add the side feathers one at a time so both sides match.
- Keep the wavy smile and the leaf-shaped wings light and simple. Draw them near the end so you can fix them without messing up the rest.
Free turkey coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this turkey 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 turkey drawing
Try brown for the body, with red, orange, yellow and green stripes across the feathers. For a creative twist, dip your fingertips in paint and press them on the feathers to make colorful dots.
Turkey fun fact for kids
A baby turkey is called a poult, and a male turkey is called a tom. Male turkeys make a gobbling sound.
Questions about drawing a turkey
What shapes do I need to draw a turkey?
You need two circles, a big one for the body and a smaller one for the head. Add curved fan shapes for the tail feathers, two leaf shapes for the wings, and two small ovals for the feet.
How do I make my turkey look cuter?
Keep the body very round and place the dot eyes close to the beak. A small wavy smile on the tummy adds a friendly touch.
How do I draw turkey feathers that look even?
Draw the big arch first, then the slanted lines that join it to the head. Then draw the side feathers one on each side, so both sides match.
