Drawing Birds from Feathers to Flight

Birds are some of the most fascinating, timeless subjects in art. Their ability to take to the sky imbues them with mythological and symbolic substance—but all those feathered details can make them exceptionally hard to capture on the page. 

A single feather can take hours to perfect, and that’s just for a single example of the 20,000 species out there. Hollow bone structures, unique physiology, graceful movements, and stunningly diverse morphology all present serious obstacles for both stylized and realistic projects alike. 

Are you looking to turn a flightless bird into a soaring artwork? Here are some of our top resources to make drawing birds faster and easier than ever.

Birds in Motion Reference Pack

Capturing the essence of birds begins with understanding how they move through space. Every aspect of their bodies is designed with flight in mind, and each stage from takeoff to landing is governed by the effects of air currents, wind, and gravity. 

This set of 600+ images gives you an up-close snapshot of how several different species move and interact with the world. Hawks screech, hover, dive, and prepare to attack their prey. Vultures effortlessly glide on thermal updrafts and scavange for meals. 

You’ll also get an assortment of shots involving water so you can see how they drink, search for food, and much more. Whether you’re dreaming up a lifelike bird or looking to add a touch of realism to an angel or winged horse, this set will give you plenty of ideas to try. 

You’ll get:

• 616 images of birds in motion

Bird Beaks for ZBrush

Beaks are one of the defining characteristics of birds—but there are so many different kinds and so little time to create! Developing a single 3D beak for a project can easily take up hours, and if you’re struggling with other elements like feathers and proportion, DIY may be a bridge too far.

This 40-pack of bird beaks for ZBrush is the perfect complement for 3D artists looking to put their energy into the more dramatic elements of their next avian artwork. Each one is highly detailed and ready to be added directly to your next project with minimal adjustments. 

You’ll also get a wide variety of rare and common birds, including eagles, hawks, flamingos, pelicans, and many more exotic and fascinating specimens. It also comes with a tutorial so you’ll know exactly how to apply it to your next creation.

This comes with:

• 40 highly detailed bird beaks for ZBrush
• 1 Tutorial

Bird Brushes for Procreate

Birds are incredible up-close studies with nearly infinite details and variations to capture. But they can be just as complex and fascinating from a distance when they’re flying in carefully coordinated formations. 

Drawing birds in a flock of dozens can quickly become overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to make lots of individuals fit into an organic whole. The relationship of each animal’s position contributes to the overall trajectory of the group, making it a micro/macro challenge that’s tough to control. 

Getting a headache just thinking about it? Don’t worry! This set of bird brushes for Procreate gives you instant access to flocks of crows, pigeons, and sparrows with a click of your mouse. You’ll also get a few hawks to liven up the party, as well as some feathers and nests to complete the scene. 

This pack includes: 

• 75 bird brushes in flocks, plus nests and feathers

Predator Bird References

As charming as a hummingbird may be, there’s no substitute for a powerful predator when you’re looking to make a bold statement. Owls are both wise oracles and foreboding hunters, adding an element of risk and fear to the pursuit of wisdom. The incredible speeds and razor-like profiles of falcons are why they’ve become the namesake of fighter jets, rockets, and even Star Wars icons.  

Whether you’re creating a superhero, spaceship, fantasy creature, or just a hyperrealistic hawk surveying a field, these reference pics will be indispensable aids you’ll come back to time and time again. All 76+ images give you detailed views of various predator birds in high resolution, and they’re all royalty-free, so you can use them however you like!

This set comes with:

• 76 reference images for drawing birds

Procreate Feather Brushes

Birds of a feather may flock together, but you’ve still got to create each downy tuft and razor-sharp wing one feather at a time. Not only are they completely unique to every species and purpose, but even similar feathers have to be adjusted and profiled to build out larger structures like wings and tails. 

That makes feathers a first-order challenge that can easily bring your workflow to a halt—until now. 

Feather brushes like this set are revolutionizing how digital artists are drawing birds. Each of these 10 brushes gives you a different model that can be integrated and layered to fill the curves and bends in a bird’s anatomy. Need furry feet and well-defined wings? No problem. These brushes for Procreate Pro let you sketch and experiment with every combination you need to perfect your next pelican or ptarmigan. 

You’ll receive:

• 10 feather brushes for Procreate Pro

Soar to New Heights with Cubebrush

Drawing birds can be tough, but with these assets, you’ll have no trouble turning feathery creatures into your finest work. And whether you’re hatching a plan for some bird-themed art or just looking to build your skills and speed up your workflow, Cubebrush has the resources to help your idea take flight. 

Our library of resources gives you instant access to thousands of resources and tutorials for any project, genre, or niche you’re exploring. Visit the Cubebrush Marketplace today and start exploring!