A standing penguin in three-quarter view with a small beak, two flippers and two broad feet; clear black-and-pale body areas. Black and gray fineliner drawing on warm textured sketchbook paper.

Drawing referenceAbout reference use

Penguin fine ink study

A standing penguin in three-quarter view with a small beak, two flippers and two broad feet; clear black-and-pale body areas. Practice clear contours and a few local shadows in fine ink.

Animals Easy Fineliner20 min, at your pace

A way into the drawing

Establish the main shapes
Draw a tall body oval and small head.
Connect the structure
Connect the flippers and broad feet beneath the body.
Develop the drawing
Refine the clear outer contour, add only the most useful interior details and place a few small local shadows. Leave most of the paper open.

A small thing to tryKeep the pale belly as one open shape.