A goose (plural geese) is a fascinating bird of any of the numerous waterfowl species in Anatidae. This group consists of the genera Anser (the white geese and grey geese) and Branta (the black geese). Some other birds, mostly similar to the shelducks, have “goose” as part of their names. Related family members Anatidae are swans, which are mostly larger than true ducks, and geese, which are smaller.
In terms of features, geese closely look like ducks, except that they have thinner beaks and longer necks.
Here is a simple guide to drawing a goose:
You can draw a goose from any of the three species – White Geese, Grey Geese, and Black Geese for the subject purpose. The shelducks additionally offer a great range to pick from. The following tips will teach you how to correctly draw a goose:
- Reference subject: Do your research through the books, internet, science magazines, journals etc. Once you settle upon the species, obtain a proper picture to be used as a subject model. The three species of real geese have many subspecies each. While Black Geese are recognized for their black neck and limbs, the Grey ones have grey bodies. Their bills and limbs have a combination of black, pink, or orange. The White Geese have white bodies with a light red or orange gills and limbs.
- The first sketch: Use a small oval for the head portion and a large oval for the middle body. Link these two by a curve related to the length of the neck. Straight lines can describe the legs. Depending upon the source picture, make the approximate outline of the wings. For spread wings, use ‘U-V-like’ shapes.
- Arrangement: Improve the shape of the head first, and spread it forward to make the conical beak. The eyes are kept on a straight line from the top part of the bills. The kind of plumage will define the contours of the body. However, unless you are making a pencil sketch, do not draw the wings’ interiors elaborately. That will be handled in the next step using appropriate colors. Make the thin feet and legs. Do not ignore the webbing, which is an important attribute of these birds.
- Colors and Shading: It is a perfect choice to draw your goose in different colors. All the geese have black tails. The Black Geese’s feathers have brown graded tones. Grey Geese’s feathers are white and black, while the rest of the body is grey in color. Like Magpie Goose, Blue-Winged Goose, Spur-winged Goose, and Egyptian Goose the shelduck species have colored patches on the wings and the remaining of the bodies. The pattern on any variety is not that of main colors, instead of shading. Careful brushstrokes and direction from the subject picture ensure the allowance for natural and light body shading.
Your drawing is ready.
