A turkey drawing lesson for teachers with step-by-step directions. This directed drawing makes a great art lesson for Thanksgiving.
Today, I am sharing step-by-step instructions on teaching a turkey directed drawing as a Thanksgiving art idea. In Canada, we celebrate in October and finished these cute turkeys last month. I just had to share it with you all so you can try them.
Those who know me and read my blog know I LOVE DIRECTED DRAWING! I love the results you get, and all my students feel successful when they see how to draw step-by-step. Below are the directions I gave my students; I love how they turned out!!
Turkey Directed Drawing Step-by-Step Guide
I used my large chart stand for this art activity, but you could use your projector or other technology to project the image large enough for all to see. You can grab the FREE instructions at the end of this post.
- Each person is given a large piece of white art paper and asked to turn it in portrait style. They can use a pencil and eraser (sparingly) to draw each step as I demo each step.
- Start with the head shape. I explained it should look like an upside-down V shape.
- Add a curved line across the upper part of the head.
- Add two circles close together for the eyes. I let them choose the direction the irises are pointing.
- Add the turkey waddle to the side of the head. I explain that it’s a squiggle line down and back up.
- Add a big circle for the body under the head.
7. Draw on two legs under the circle. They can go in whichever direction they choose.
8. Add two wings on the side of the body, like three fingers on a hand.
9. Draw the back feathers starting on top of the head, like upside-down U’s, and work their way around each side. Make sure to connect them with the body, not just the head!
Voila! They will LOVE their adorable and silly-looking turkey drawings!
Turkey Drawing Final Touches
With a Sharpie marker or skinny black felt, I have them carefully trace over all the pencil lines. I have also seen people trace using crayons with good results. They should erase the pencil lines with a good (white) eraser.
After, it’s time to paint with watercolors.
I give them a few color guidelines.
- Body: brown
- Waddle: red
- The rest was up to them.
- Then, I encouraged them to create colorful back feathers. I also had them use a background color they hadn’t used yet to create contrast.
This is one of my favorites (It looks like an evil ninja turkey)!
I created a “Turkey Time” bulletin board with watercolor turkeys and some Thanksgiving writing to display our adorable turkeys.
I love how they all look unique and different! Cute & colorful!
FREE Printable Turkey Drawing Directions
Grab the FREE printable instructions to teach kids how to draw their turkeys for Thanksgiving and fall.
Click the image below to grab a copy!
This Turkey Drawing is included in the Directed Drawing Mats.
Add directed drawings to your weekly lesson plans to help children follow directions and build drawing skills.
There are five different directed drawings included in each month of Drawing Mats!
Do you like this activity and want more directed drawings?
Directed drawing art activities help kids produce masterpieces and build confidence. This guide lists directed drawing resources, suggested materials, and FREE step-by-step tutorials.
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These turkeys are ADORABLE!!!!!
Thanks so much!!
Elyse 🙂
Aww! They are precious. The kiddos' personalities really come out!
Totally! I love how they look so different!! 🙂
These turkeys are so cute, Elyse! We do something similar with Santa, but I think I will try these this year too!
Ashley
One Sharp Bunch
Thanks so much, Ashley!! I must try it out with Santa's next time…I usually do it with snowmen as well!
Elyse 🙂
I LOVE the turkeys! I want to try this with my class! What types of writing samples do you use to go with the turkeys?
I would love to see your turkeys! I usually do writing about what we are thankful for!!
Elyse 🙂
This is super cute…love it.
Thanks Amna!!
These turkeys are ADORABLE! I can't wait to try them with my firsties:)
Tammy
The Resourceful Apple
Yay Thanks so much Tammy! Can't wait to see how your turn out!!
Elyse 🙂
These turkeys are wonderful! I am definitely going to give them a try for Thanksgiving. Thank you so much for sharing.
Take care, Amy
You're so welcome, Amy! Thanks for the fun linky…I've gained tons of fun, new ideas from it!!
Elyse 🙂
Love this idea!!! Super-dooper cute!
Thanks so much, Megan! I love your letter sorting idea…I'm going to give it a try with my son this year!
Elyse 🙂
The turkeys are so adorable Elyse! What a great display!! We always write about what we are thankful for – but the turkey art project will make it so much more fun! Thank you for sharing!
This such a great idea and so cute! Thank you for sharing! I want you to know I nominated you for the Liebster Award. Check out my blog here to gain information about it. (This is not spam or anything like that… it's for new bloggers.) http://www.theowlteacher.blogspot.com/2014/11/ive-won-its-fun-liebster-award.html. I think I'll also come back and link up to the Holidays Linky!
These are absolutely DARLING turkeys, Elyse! Definitely adding these to the plans this week! Thank you!
Slainte,
☘ Molly
Lucky to Be in First
These are seriously the cutest things! I pinned so I see them next year!
Jennifer with Simply Kinder
Hi! You will receive a separate email with your free resource! Please check your junk folder. 🙂
Hi, I still have not received the separate email with the turkey directed drawing resource. Was hoping to do these tomorrow since Thanksgiving is this weekend. Am I missing something? I searched the subscriber area and I cannot find it. Thanks, Paula
Hi!! i love these!!! but for some reason when I click on the image it’s not loading for me. Is there something else i need to do? Is it possible to email me a different link? Thanks!
Mine is doing the same thing!!
Hi there! It was an issue with my leadbox but it is fixed now. Please click to download and submit your info. It will be sent to your inbox!
I’m not understanding how to print the directions for this. I don’t see a link in the post?
Never mind! Just found it. Thanks!
I am trying to find the printable directions but can’t seem to find them? Is there a link?
I love these!!!!
Oops. I posted the wrong link above. https://artsublessons.blogspot.com/2019/08/art-sub-plan-directed-drawing-for-fall.html
Love these!!! What kind of watercolor paint do you use?? Ours never looks quite as vibrant as yours and I’d love to know the brand.