Are your kids eager to learn how to draw a penguin or have some fun in the classroom during the chilly winter months? Look no further! This step-by-step penguin drawing guide is ideal for young artists and teachers looking for a directed drawing activity or a winter science project. Discover the joy of creativity while exploring the fascinating world of penguins with this educational and entertaining tutorial. Let’s dive into the world of art and imagination!
How to Draw a Penguin
This directed drawing activity teaches children how to draw a penguin. Drawing is essential for kids to learn for many reasons. It boosts a child’s memory, helps with fine motor skills, and allows them to see themselves as artists.
Directed drawing activities are convenient and engaging, keeping children entertained in the classroom and at home. With just a few simple steps and minimal materials, teachers can provide an enjoyable experience with maximum value.
Get ready for a creative and chilly adventure as we get ready to head into the icy realms of penguin drawing! In this step-by-step how-to draw a penguin guide, we will break down the process, making it easy for you and the kids you teach to bring these adorable birds to life on paper.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a mom, or a teacher looking for a fun classroom activity, grab your pencils and let the drawing adventure begin!
Table of Contents
- How to Draw a Penguin
- Materials for Penguin Drawing
- Tips for How to Draw a Penguin
- Penguin Drawing: How to Draw a Penguin Directed Drawing Steps
- Step 1: Penguin Head and Body
- Step 2: Penguin Wings and Feet
- Step 3: Penguin Eyes and Face
- How to Draw a Penguin – Finishing Touches to the Directed Drawing
- Penguin Resources for Your Lessons
- Free Penguin Life Cycle Mini Book
- All About Penguins Science Unit
- Other Directed Drawings Activities and Tips
Materials for Penguin Drawing
The best part about directed drawings is they often do not need a ton of supplies. The simplicity is what makes this penguin drawing easy. It can be done in a classroom or at home.
Here’s what you’ll need.
- Paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- black marker
- crayons or colored pencils
- Watercolors
Now, let’s make sure that creativity takes center stage without the fuss. For your convenience, you can find all the necessary supplies in one place. Check out this handpicked selection on Amazon.
Thicker paper is highly recommended for painting as it has the ability to withstand water without tearing when used properly.
Tips for How to Draw a Penguin
When guiding children in this enjoyable penguin drawing activity, there are a few suggestions to consider.
- Stand in a place for all to see clearly.
- Use alarge easel, chart paper, or overhead projector to draw on if available.
- Kids sitat tableswith their supplies.
- Take things slow and draw each step as you give verbal instructions. Alternatively, children can follow a set of visual step-by-step directions.
- Give kids plenty of time to follow along and ask questions.
You will have the most success if you model the lesson this way and take your time.
Penguin Drawing: How to Draw a Penguin Directed Drawing Steps
When it comes to this penguin drawing, there are not many steps kids need to go through to end up with this unique bird. However, some fun finishing touches add a little character and pizzazz, which will make each penguin drawing unique!
Step 1: Penguin Head and Body
Firstly, let’s start by drawing the penguin’s head and body. Start with an open semi-circle for the head near the top of the paper.
Next, close the semi-circle with a slightly curved line. This will form the head.
After that, draw a large bean shape with a larger area at the bottom. This completed shape will start us on the right path with our penguin drawing.
Step 2: Penguin Wings and Feet
Next, draw two curved lines within the body on each side of the penguin to create the wings. After that, add two feet with three toes to the bottom of the body.
Step 3: Penguin Eyes and Face
For the third step, draw two upward-curved lines at the top of the penguin. Make sure these lines connect at a point near the middle of the head. Then, create circular eyes and add gentle curves to form the penguin’s eyes.
Don’t forget the beak! Just use a large triangle shape beneath the eyes.
How to Draw a Penguin – Finishing Touches to the Directed Drawing
Furthermore, consider completing the activity over two days or periods.
On day one, complete the drawing and tracing of the penguin with a black marker. Use a fine-point black marker or Sharpie pen to trace the penguin’s lines. Erase the pencil lines with a good white eraser.
Once you add paint, colored pencils, etc., the black lines will make the penguin pop out of the paper and give it a 3D effect!
On day two, paint. If children haven’t used watercolor paints before, it’s always best to demonstrate how to makeproper brush strokes with a paintbrush and the water-to-paint ratio. Using a larger paintbrush instead of a small one is usually easier for younger kids.
- Use watercolor paints to paint the smaller details of the penguin first.
- Use different black, yellow, and blue.
- Next, paint the larger areas of the penguin.
Finally, paint the blue background. Children can keep areas of the paper white to create snowflakes in the background. You could also cut out the penguin and glue it to construction or other special paper.
Once everyone completes their penguin, place them somewhere to dry completely. Don’t make the mistake of hanging them or putting them upright. Paint and water would drip down onto the pictures.
Once dry, hangthem up or create a fun bulletin board display for December, or with some penguin writing from a penguin science unit.
Penguin Resources for Your Lessons
Free Penguin Life Cycle Mini Book
Not only can children create an adorable penguin drawing, but they can also learn the life cycle of penguins with this FREE penguin life cycle mini-book!
Click the image below to sign up.
All About Penguins Science Unit
This All About Penguins ELA & Science Unit will help your first, second, or third-grade studentsbuild writing skills, understandinformational text,andbuild reading comprehensionwhile they learn interesting facts aboutEmperor Penguins, penguin chicks, and other types of penguins.
If you enjoy this ELA & Science Non-Fiction Unit, you should check out the other science and non-fiction resources available.
Other Directed Drawings Activities and Tips
Winter Directed Drawings
Teach Directed Drawing
Snowman Directed Drawing Art Activity
Pin For Later
FREE Directed Drawing Email Series
Sign up for the directed drawing email series filled with tips to get you started, strategies for success, and tons of FREE tutorials you can access right away. Everything you need to build drawing confidence and have fun at the same time!
