How To Draw A Mallard Duck

A duck is a mutual name for a large number of species—in that location are over 120 of them. In this tutorial, we'll focus on drawing a mallard, which is a common and widespread species.

Mallards tin live in most any wetland habitat, natural or artificial. Chances are, yous'll notice them in a almost park; they feel themselves at home around lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and coastlines.

Also, mallards are the ancestors of almost all domestic ducks we keep today.

Let'due south have a closer look at these amazing birds; we'll explore the difference between the colouring of male and female mallards and learn about their distinctive features. The cartoon journey begins!

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What You lot Volition Demand

In guild to complete this projection, you'll need the post-obit equipment:

an HB graphite pencil
a 3B graphite pencil
an eraser
drawing newspaper

1. How to Draw a Female Duck

Step 1

I outline the rough shape of the duck'southward head, using the HB pencil. I keep the lines calorie-free, then it will be easy to make changes in the future.

I add the shape of the pecker; it is relatively long and narrow at the tip.

Stride 2

I depict the oblong shape of the duck's hefty torso.

Step 3

I draw the core line of the duck'south neck, joining the head and body.

Step 4

Let's add the framework of the feet. The feet of a duck are curt and have three front webbed toes. I construct them, using small circles and lines.

I get-go with the pes that is closer to the viewer…

… then add another foot.

Step 5

I outline the contours of the bird'due south wing.

Step six

Let's refine the head and add some distinctive features.

The beak has a small curve in the upper function; I also draw a nostril and darken the tip of the bill.

The eye is relatively small. A thin stripe goes through the eye area, from the beak to the back of the head; this characteristic is typical for females.

Step seven

I draw the contours of the duck's cervix. This position of the neck and trunk is likewise typical for swimming.

Stride eight

I refine the human foot, giving it thickness and volume. It'south important to include the modest back toe and create a hint of webs that are joining the front toes.

I piece of work on the second foot in the same manner.

Pace 9

The wing of a duck may look non-uniform, as if information technology consists of layers or segments with their own relief. I create a pattern that imitates layers.

I refine the bottom segment of the fly, adding a new chemical element chosen a speculum. It is an area of white-bordered black or iridescent blue feathers; both sexes have this feature.

A speculum is prominent in flight or at rest simply temporarily shed during the annual summer molt. However, sometimes these brilliant feathers aren't visible when the wing is folded.

Footstep 10

I refine the contours of the wing layers, creating an illusion of book. The wings may look more than fluffy or smooth, depending on a variety of factors; the patterns and coloring tin be slightly different, as well.

Past the manner, all ducks have waterproof feathers!

Stride 11

The female mallard is predominantly mottled. The individual feathers oftentimes demonstrate sharp contrast from dark yellowish to very dark dark-brown. I imitate this pattern, using the HB pencil.

I besides shade the eye, leaving a small highlight, and create a drop shadow. The back and top of the caput are relatively night. Please remember about the stripe near the centre—it is nighttime, too

Applying graphite hatching and creating details

Step 12

I increment the contrast in my drawing, applying another layer of hatching to the darker areas, using the 3B pencil.

Pace 13

Yous may be wondering how this female mallard would look in colour. I've painted on top of this sketch digitally, just to prove you an instance.

As you can see, the colors change from beige, yellow, and orange to darker browns.

2. How to Draw a Male Duck

Step 1

The process of cartoon a male mallard, or a drake, is similar to cartoon a female duck. Withal, the coloring of feathers is significantly different.

I draw the shape of the small rounded head, and so add the beak, using the HB graphite pencil.

Drawing the rough shapes of the head and the beak

Step 2

I draw the trunk; information technology is relatively large compared to the head.

Step 3

I add the cadre line of the cervix. The position of the neck is dissimilar from the instance of the previous cartoon, and this decision is intentional—I'd similar to add some versatility to the resulting prototype.

Pace 4

I add the framework of the feet.

Pace v

I refine the contours of the head and the beak, and then add together the center and nostril.

Refining the head and adding the details

Step half dozen

I draw the neck of the duck, connecting the head and the body. The male person mallards have a thin white collar that demarcates the head from the greyish brown breast.

Step 7

I outline the contours of the mallard's feet, based on the knowledge we already have.

Pace 8

I draw the wing. This position is slightly dissimilar from our previous example; sometimes, ducks keep their wings lifted at the top of the body.

Step 9

I dissever the shape of the wing into segments to create a set of layers.

I add the speculum to the bottom part of the wing.

Step 10

I add some decorative stripes to vary the pattern of the fly; withal, the upper part remains light and solid.

In that location are no absolute rules on how a drake's wing should expect in detail, so a creative approach is welcome.

Footstep 11

With the HB pencil, I utilize some graphite hatching to the cartoon, darkening the lesser part of the body, the tail feathers, and the head.

Step 12

With the 3B pencil, I increment the contrast in the drawing. The caput of the mallard is the darkest area.

Darkening the darker areas with a soft pencil

Stride 13

A male mallard has a glossy dark-green head (in that location may be an inclusion of blue color), grey-brown wings, and a pale grey belly. The bill of the drake is a yellowish-orange, tipped with blackness.

The brightly colored feet and bills of mallards are acquired past changes in hormone levels during late fall and winter while the birds are pairing. The brightness of orangish color suggests that a male duck is healthy and well fed, which makes him a great candidate for breeding in the eyes of female ducks.

iii. How to Draw a Mallard Chick

Step one

I draw the shape of the chick's head and beak.

Drawing the rough shapes of the head and beak

Step two

I depict the general shape of the duckling's torso; information technology is quite modest, compared to the head (and developed ducks have larger, longer bodies).

Step 3

I depict the neck, presenting it as a shape.

Pace iv

I depict the framework of the short anxiety, trying to make their position feel slightly unsteady or clumsy—this duckling is very immature!

Step 5

I draw the wing of a chick; it is small.

The wings of a duckling are fully developed for flying betwixt 3 and four months of age, which tin be confirmed by the sight of purple speculum feathers.

Step 6

I add together the details to the head, including a mark for the dark stripe nigh the eye.

Step 7

I refine the anxiety of the chick.

Stride 8

I change the contours of the body, narrowing the neck and tail areas.

Footstep 9

I transform the uniform contour line into a set of shorter lines that imitate the fluffy covering of the duckling's trunk.

Footstep 10

With the HB pencil, I mark the darker places of the chick'south body, such as the eye and back, including the upper office of the tail.

Step eleven

I accentuate the darker spots using the 3B pencil. The coloring of a duckling should have plenty of dissimilarity.

Step 12

Information technology's time to demonstrate the coloring!

The plume of the duckling is xanthous on the underside and face, with streaks past the eyes, and black on the back with some yellow spots all the mode to the summit and back of the head. Its legs and pecker are also nighttime, of night grey or black colour.