Watercolor Cardinal

I’ve been on the lookout for a new way to draw a simple cardinal. This one, inspired by a stock art illustration is built on some very simple shapes that I think young children can draw.

1. On a horizontal sheet of watercolor paper, students draw a cardinal in pencil, following the diagram above. I made some wing templates that you can download HERE, if desired. If used, students place it on their paper as shown, and trace. The body is drawn around it, and then the head. The facial details are added, as well as feet and tail.

2. When complete, the cardinal is traced with a black permanent marker, and the black face is filled in.

3. Details of the cardinal are colored in with crayon. Branches may be added around it, as well as lots of little snowflakes with a white crayon.

4. The background is painted entirely with blue watercolor paint.