"Never graduate from drawing."
Table of Contents
How to Draw an easy penguin - An Overview
Winter is here, and what better way to embrace the chilly vibes than by cozying up with a sketchpad and drawing an easy penguin? These tuxedoed birds are basically the snowflakes of the animal kingdom – each one is unique, and they know how to rock that black and white ensemble.
Are you ready to embark on a fun drawing adventure? This super cute penguin can be drawn in just a few minutes and you can customize your drawing by adding unique details.Â
So grab your paper and let’s waddle into this easy penguin drawing tutorial. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, our quick and simple steps will have you surprising yourself with your artistic abilities.
This drawing tutorial comes with a directed drawing activity sheet that will show you how to draw this penguin step by step. You can simply print it and use it as a guide while you draw.
Scroll down to download our free drawing guide for this cute penguin!
Drawing Tips for This Tutorial:
- I recommend that you draw your penguin lightly with pencil and then trace over your drawing with a Micron Pen or Ultra Fine Point Colored Sharpie marker. This will help your penguin pop!
- Embrace the drawing process! If your penguin doesn’t look exactly like mine, no worries 🙂 celebrate your drawing anyways and enjoy a few mindful moments as you draw.Â
- See how you can make your penguin unique by adding a hat, scarf, or fun facial expression.
Focus on the basic shapes! The circular shape for the body, the oval shape for the head, and the triangular shape for the beak can serve as a starting point for your artistic journey. This approach simplifies the process, making it less daunting and more accessible for children of all ages and artistic abilities.
This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You can read my full disclaimer here.
4 Fun Facts About Penguins
Before we delve into the step-by-step process of drawing an easy penguin, let’s take a moment to explore some interesting facts about these cute creatures. Understanding the unique characteristics of penguins can not only enhance your artistic creation but also add a layer of depth and appreciation to your artwork.
1. Did you know that penguins are flightless birds? Unlike most other birds, their wings have adapted into flippers, allowing them to navigate through the water with remarkable agility. This remarkable adaptation enables penguins to swim at incredible speeds, reaching up to 15 miles per hour!
2. Penguins are also known for their amazing parenting skills. The male penguins, after laying the eggs, take on the responsibility of incubating them in a special brood pouch. This caretaking duty allows the female penguins to venture out and hunt for food, ensuring the survival of their offspring. It’s no wonder penguins are often considered symbols of loyalty and dedication.
3. Another fascinating fact about penguins is their ability to communicate. These social animals use an array of vocalizations and unique calls to communicate with one another. Each penguin has a distinct voice, which helps them locate their mates and recognize their own offspring in crowded colonies.
4. Despite living in icy environments, penguins have evolved to withstand extreme cold. To protect themselves from the freezing temperatures, they have a thick layer of blubber that acts as insulation. Additionally, their dense feathers provide excellent waterproofing, keeping them dry and warm even in the frigid waters.
These are just a few fun facts about penguins that make them such a captivating subject to draw. So, let’s discover how drawing can benefit not just our artwork but also our overall well-being, especially for kids.
What are Some Benefits of Drawing for Kids?
Drawing is not just about creating visually appealing images; it is also a valuable tool for enhancing cognitive development in children. When kids engage in drawing activities, they are expressing their creativity and also developing their fine motor skills. The precision required to create lines and shapes helps to improve hand-eye coordination and dexterity, which can be beneficial in various aspects of their lives, such as writing and playing sports.
Moreover, drawing stimulates imagination and encourages problem-solving skills. When children draw, they are forced to think creatively and come up with unique ideas. They learn to think outside the box, experiment with different techniques, and find solutions to challenges that arise during the drawing process. This fosters critical thinking abilities and nurtures their ability to think creatively in other areas of their lives as well.
Drawing also provides an avenue for self-expression and emotional well-being. Artistic activities allow kids to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences visually, even if they struggle to articulate them verbally. Through drawing, children can communicate their emotions, explore their identity, and find a sense of accomplishment and pride in their creations. This can boost their self-esteem and help them develop a positive outlook on their abilities.Â
Furthermore, drawing can be a calming and therapeutic activity for kids. The act of focusing on creating art can help children relax, reduce stress, and promote mindfulness. It allows them to immerse themselves in the present moment, shutting out the noise and distractions of the outside world. This can be particularly beneficial for children who may feel overwhelmed or anxious, offering them an outlet for self-regulation and a means to find inner peace.
This penguin drawing tutorial was also used to create an incredible penguin craft using glossy photo paper and bleeding tissue paper. Click HERE or the image below to check it out!
Here are a few other drawing activities that you’re going to love:
Our new Zentangle course is here!
Are you trying to find ways to incorporate self-care and creativity into your life? Would you like to introduce the Zentangle Method to your children or students but you’re not sure how?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then you’re going to love our new course. If you haven’t had a chance yet to watch the course overview video, check it out below!Â
So, without further ado, here is the drawing tutorial. I really hope that you love drawing this penguin as much as I did! Have fun 🙂
Step by Step Tutorial
Appropriate for Children Ages 5 and up
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 20 minutes
Materials:
- Penguin Drawing Guide (Optional)
- Micron Pens for outlining your penguin, or you could also use Ultra Fine Point colored Sharpie markers/fine tip markers
- White Cardstock or blank paper (8 1/2 X 11)
- Pencil for drawing
- Markers/pencil crayons etc. for coloring (optional)
- Eraser (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1 – Draw the head.
Draw an oval with squarish sides for your penguin’s head.
Â
Step 2 – Draw your penguin’s nose
Near the bottom of your penguin’s head, draw a triangle with curved edges to create your penguin’s nose.
Step 3 - Draw your penguin's eyes
 You can experiment with different types of eyes 🙂
Step 4 - Complete your penguin's face
Draw two arch shapes starting from the bottom of the head, around the eyes and ending at the beak.
Step 5 – Draw your penguin’s body
Step 6 – Draw an oval shape inside the body.
Step 7 – Draw two adorable wings
Â
Step 8 - Draw two super cute feet
Step 9 – Accessorize and outline
Your penguin is complete! You can choose to outline your penguin with a sharpie, or add accessories like a hat or scarf etc. We added a simple scarf to our penguin. Check it out below!
Step 10 – Color (Optional)
You can color in your penguin using any media of your choice. Pencil crayons, markers and paint are always great choices for kids.
You can also add Zentangle patterns to your penguin to create stunning details.
Step 12 – Enjoy and share
This easy penguin drawing can be used to compliment your unit on winter or it can be used in other crafts. This drawing also looks fabulous on cards!
If you draw this easy penguin with your kids or students, please let me know! I’d love to add your creations to our gallery, so upload your photos or send them directly to me at: [email protected] Thank you!Â
You can also tag us if you post your masterpieces on Instagram or Facebook.
Here are some other drawing tutorials that you’ll want to check out!:
Looking for even more cool activities? You might be interested in our Zentangle Penguin Coloring Pages. Click HERE or on the image below to learn more.
If you love zentangles as much as we do, you’re going to love our zentangle pyramid activity. Click HERE to check it out or click on the images below.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for more activities designed to encourage mindfulness and spark creativity, check out my printable resources below or visit my shop!
Don’t forget to download our free 15 page Mindfulness coloring book to help add a few mindful moments to your child’s day. Just click here or the image below!
