In this drawing lesson we’ll show you how to draw a Cardinal in 6 easy steps. This step by step lesson progressively builds upon each previous step until you get to the final rendering of a cardinal. Follow along with the how to draw a cardinal drawing guide below by sketching the red portion of each of the six steps, super easy!

Before we begin the How To Draw a Cardinal drawing lesson, here are some fun facts about cardinals you might find interesting, especially for kids.

• Cardinals are vibrant red birds native to North and South America.
• Male cardinals are known for their bright red feathers, while females have a more subtle brownish-red coloration.
• Cardinals get their name from the red robes worn by Catholic cardinals.
• These birds are non-migratory, meaning they stay in the same area year-round.
• Cardinals are excellent singers and have a variety of distinct calls and songs.
• Both male and female cardinals sing, which is uncommon among songbirds.
• Cardinals are monogamous and often mate for life, working together to build nests and raise their young.
• These birds are ground feeders and enjoy eating seeds, fruits, and insects.
• Cardinals are popular backyard birds and can be attracted to bird feeders with sunflower seeds.
• The northern cardinal is the official state bird of seven U.S. states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Here’s a BONUS video of our How To Draw a Cardinal easy drawing lesson from our YouTube Channel – Be Sure to Like the Video and Subscribe to our Channel to get notifications on our weekly uploads!

You can follow along with the video or use the simple drawing steps below the video as a guide!

How To Draw a Cardinal – Quick and Easy Step-by-Step Drawing Guide

Step 1: Begin by drawing the beak of the cardinal. Note – the image below is zoomed in.

Step 2: Draw the puffed out feathers, or crest, on the top of the head.

Step 3: Now you can draw the cardinal’s left wing and feather detail.

Step 4: Draw the tail next.

Step 5: Sketch in the belly and the feet.

Step 6: Finally, draw the eyes and facial detail. Then draw a branch for your cardinal to perch on.

Nice work, now that you’ve completed How To Draw a Cardinal, considering adding some shading or coloring to make your bird look realistic! Use the picture below as a guide to shade or color your easy cardinal drawing.

Congratulations!

You did it! Congratulations on drawing a Cardinal! Your first try may not have gone as perfectly as you had hoped, but I’m sure after another attempt or two you will see a big improvement. The best way to learn how to draw a cardinal is with practice!

Are you looking for another beautiful wild bird to draw? How about learning how to quickly and easily draw a TOUCAN?! Take a look here for another quick and easy drawing tutorial: How to Draw a Toucan.