Kawaii Birdies: Learn To Draw 80 Adorable Feathered Friends

Graphic designer and Birdhism blogger Budrock presents a charming guide to drawing birds in the Japanese kawaii style. Kawaii, which translates as “cute,” emphasizes rounded, youthful forms. Budrock’s whimsical drawings, in bright, cheerful colors, capture both the essence of this specific style and the traits of the depicted birds. Breaking down bird anatomy into simple shapes, the book’s instructions employ overlapping circles and connecting lines that allow even the most inexperienced artists to draw a variety of bird species: chickadees, blue jays, domesticated chickens, canaries, macaws, conures, cockatoos, and larger birds, such as eagles, flamingos, and penguins. Budrock’s drawing lessons present birds in various simple poses and also feature ones engaged in humanlike activities, including gaming, surfing, and wearing an assortment of clothes. She includes concise guides to wing structure and markings as well. Librarians should be aware that the book features several pages for coloring and practice drawings.